Exodus 22:4
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If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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If a man gives his neighbor money or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.
Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.
In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any lost item that someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.
Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.
Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.
And I will first repay them double their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and they have filled My inheritance with their abominations.”
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed; her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.”