Exodus 22:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor 's property.

NIV: But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges, and they must determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property.

NASB: If the thief is not caught, then the owner of the house shall appear before the judges, to determine whether he laid his hands on his neighbor’s property.

CSB: If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house must present himself to the judges to determine whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property.

NLT: But if the thief is not caught, the neighbor must appear before God, who will determine if he stole the property.

KJV: If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.

NKJV: If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges to see whether he has put his hand into his neighbor’s goods.

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.