Laws about Personal Property

“When a man gives his neighbor money or goods to keep, but they are stolen from that person’s house, the thief, if caught, must repay double. If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house must present himself to the judges[a] to determine[b] whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property.(A) In any case of wrongdoing involving an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything else lost, and someone claims, ‘That’s mine,’[c] the case between the two parties is to come before the judges.[d] The one the judges condemn[e] must repay double to his neighbor.

10 “When a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to care for, but it dies, is injured, or is stolen, while no one is watching, 11 there must be an oath before the Lord between the two of them to determine whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property. Its owner must accept the oath, and the other man does not have to make restitution. 12 But if, in fact, the animal was stolen from his custody, he must make restitution to its owner.(B) 13 If it was actually torn apart by a wild animal, he is to bring it as evidence; he does not have to make restitution for the torn carcass.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 22:8 Or to God
  2. Exodus 22:8 LXX, Tg, Vg read swear
  3. Exodus 22:9 Lit That is it
  4. Exodus 22:9 Or before God
  5. Exodus 22:9 Or one whom God condemns

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