Exodus 22:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him,

NIV: "If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;

NASB: If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no guilt for bloodshed on his account.

CSB: If a thief is caught in the act of breaking in, and he is beaten to death, no one is guilty of bloodshed.

NLT: If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is struck and killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty of murder.

KJV: If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

NKJV: If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.

Exodus 22:1–15 establishes laws about livestock and property. Thieves are required to pay back multiple times the value of animals they steal. Disputes over property may require arbitration. Those who negligently damage property must compensate for those losses.

God's laws for Israel enforced protections for property, including livestock. Thieves were required to compensate their victims. For parallel reasons, men who seduced young women were obliged to marry or at least compensate them. Negligent destruction of property is forbidden. Israel is not to take advantage of foreign travelers or the poor. Other laws in this chapter cover sins related to the pagan worship of ancient nations. This includes idolatry, bestiality, defiance of authority, and resistance to proper worship. Israel is not to eat animals killed by other wild animals.

Exodus 20 introduced the Mosaic covenant by declaring the Ten Commandments. What follows are a series of rules which establish the ancient nation of Israel. Among these are further details about marriage, theft, negligence, care for the poor, and respect for God. The following chapter continues this discussion by addressing other subjects. In chapter 24, the people will confirm this covenant with the Lord.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 6/15/2025 2:47:20 AM