Deuteronomy 22
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
OF HUMANITY TOWARD BRETHREN. (Deu 22:1-4) Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them, &c.--"Brother" is a term of extensive application, comprehending persons of every description; not a relative, neighbor, or fellow countryman only, but any human being, known or unknown, a foreigner, and even an enemy (Exo 23:4). The duty inculcated is an act of common justice and charity, which, while it was taught by the law of nature, was more clearly and forcibly enjoined in the law delivered by God to His people. Indifference or dissimulation in the circumstances supposed would not only be cruelty to the dumb animals, but a violation of the common rights of humanity; and therefore the dictates of natural feeling, and still more the authority of the divine law, enjoined that the lost or missing property of another should be taken care of by the finder, till a proper opportunity occurred of restoring it to the owner.
Open source ↗Thou shall not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray,.... Or "driven away" (r); frightened and starved away from the herd or from the flock by a wolf or dog; and the ox and sheep are put for every other creature a man has, as camels, asses, &c. which last sort is after mentioned; and a brother means not one in the natural relation of kindred only, for it is supposed, in the next verse, that he might not only be at a distance, but unknown; nor by religion only, or one of the commonwealth or church of the Jews, for what is enjoined is a piece of humanity the law of nature requires and directs unto, and is even to be done to enemies, Exo 23:4 and hide thyself from them; make as if he did not see them, and so be entirely negligent of them, and takes no care and show no concern about them, but let them go on wandering from the herd and flock from whence they were driven, and to which they cannot find the way of themselves: thou shalt in any case bring them again to thy brother: to his herd or flock, or to his house, and deliver them into his own hands, or to the care of his servants. (r) "expulsos", Montanus; "impulsos", Munster; "depulsos", Piscator.
Open source ↗Going deeper and deeper into the manifold relations of the national life, Moses first of all explains in Deu 22:1-12 the attitude of an Israelite, on the one hand, towards a neighbour; and, on the other hand, towards the natural classification and arrangement of things, and shows how love should rule in the midst of all these relations. The different relations brought under consideration are selected rather by way of examples, and therefore follow one another without any link of connection, for the purpose of exhibiting the truth in certain concrete cases, and showing how the covenant people were to hold all the arrangement of God sacred, whether in nature or in social life. Deu 22:1-3 In Deu 22:1-4 Moses shows, by a still further expansion of Exo 23:4-5, how the property of a neighbour was to be regarded and preserved. If any man saw an ox or a sheep of his brother's (fellow-countryman) going astray, he was not to draw back from it, but to bring it back to his brother; and if the owner lived at a distance, or was unknown, he was to take it into his own house or farm, till he came to seek it. He was also to do the same with an ass or any other property that another had lost. Deu 22:4 A fallen animal belonging to another he was also to help up (as in Exo 23:5 : except that in this case, instead of a brother generally, an enemy or hater is mentioned). Deu 22:5 As the property of a neighbour was to be sacred in the estimation of an Israelite, so also the divine distinction of the sexes, which was kept sacred in civil life by the clothing peculiar to each sex, was to be not less but even more sacredly observed. "There shall not be man's things upon a woman, and a man shall not put on a woman's clothes." כּלי does not signify clothing merely, nor arms only, but includes ever…
Open source ↗The kindness that was commanded to be shown in reference to an enemy (Exo 23:4, etc.) is here required to be much more done for a neighbour, though he were not an Israelite, for the law is consonant to natural equity. 1. That strayed cattle should be brought back, either to the owner or to the pasture out of which they had gone astray, Deu 22:1, Deu 22:2. This must be done in pity to the very cattle, which, while they wandered, were exposed; and in civility and respect to the owner, nay, and in justice to him, for it was doing as we would be done by, which is one of the fundamental laws of equity. Note, Religion teaches us to be neighbourly, and to be ready to do all good offices, as we have opportunity, to all men. In doing this, (1.) They must not mind trouble, but, if they knew who the owner was, must take it back themselves; for, if they should only send notice to the owner to come and look after it himself, some mischief might befal it ere he could reach it. (2.) They must not mind expense, but, if they knew not who the owner was, must take it home and feed it till the owner was found. If such care must be taken of a neighbour's ox or ass going astray, much more of himself going astray from God and his duty; we should do our utmost to convert him (Jam 5:19), and restore him, considering ourselves, Gal 6:1. 2. That lost goods should be brought to the owner, Deu 22:3. The Jews say, "He that found the lost goods was to give public notice of them by the common crier three or four times," according to the usage with us; if the owner could not be found, he that found the goods might convert them to his own use; but (say some learned writers in this case) he would do very well to give the value of the goods to the poor. 3. That cattle in distress should be helped, Deu 22:…
Open source ↗22:1 don’t ignore your responsibility: An individual was not to avoid a troubled scene by pretending not to see what was going on. To do so would be a failure of the individual’s responsibility to the covenant community.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… שׁוֹר (shôwr, H7794) — a bullock (as a traveller) שֶׂה (seh, H7716) — a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… עָלַם (ʻâlam, H5956) — to veil from sight, i.e. conceal (literally or figuratively) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… קָרוֹב (qârôwb, H7138) — near (in place, kindred or time) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗כֵּן (kên, H3651) — properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חֲמוֹר (chămôwr, H2543) — a male ass (from its dun red) שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, H8071) — a dress, especially a mantle אֲבֵדָה (ʼăbêdâh, H9) — concrete, something lost; abstract, destruction, i.e. Hades אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) עָלַם (ʻâlam, H5956) — to veil from sight, i.e. conceal (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חֲמוֹר (chămôwr, H2543) — a male ass (from its dun red) שׁוֹר (shôwr, H7794) — a bullock (as a traveller) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb עָלַם (ʻâlam, H5956) — to veil from sight, i.e. conceal (literally or figuratively) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, H8071) — a dress, especially a mantle עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֵלֶּה (ʼêl-leh, H428) — these or those תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗צִפּוֹר (tsippôwr, H6833) — a little bird (as hopping) קֵן (qên, H7064) — a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7122) — to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֶפְרֹחַ (ʼephrôach, H667) — the brood of a bird בֵּיצָה (bêytsâh, H1000) — an egg (from its whiteness) אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… רָבַץ (râbats, H7257) — to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline,… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,… אָרַךְ (ʼârak, H748) — to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) חָדָשׁ (châdâsh, H2319) — new בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מַעֲקֶה (maʻăqeh, H4624) — a parapet גָּג (gâg, H1406) — a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or…
Open source ↗זָרַע (zâraʻ, H2232) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard כִּלְאַיִם (kilʼayim, H3610) — two heterogeneities מְלֵאָה (mᵉlêʼâh, H4395) — something fulfilled, i.e. abundance (of produce) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity תְּבוּאָה (tᵉbûwʼâh, H8393) — income, i.e. produce (literally or figuratively) קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
Open source ↗חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… שׁוֹר (shôwr, H7794) — a bullock (as a traveller) חֲמוֹר (chămôwr, H2543) — a male ass (from its dun red) יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
Open source ↗לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… שַׁעַטְנֵז (shaʻaṭnêz, H8162) — linsey-woolsey, i.e. cloth of linen and wool carded and spun together צֶמֶר (tsemer, H6785) — wool פִּשְׁתֶּה (pishteh, H6593) — linen (i.e. the thread, as carded) יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application גְּדִל (gᵉdil, H1434) — thread, i.e. a tassel or festoon אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four כָּנָף (kânâph, H3671) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or… כְּסוּת (kᵉçûwth, H3682) — a cover (garment); figuratively, a veiling כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally)
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… עֲלִילָה (ʻălîylâh, H5949) — an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… בְּתוּלִים (bᵉthûwlîym, H1331) — (collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him.
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
And if the people of the land ever hide their eyes and fail to put to death the man who gives one of his children to Molech,
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.