King James Version
Exodus 22
31 verses with commentary
Laws About Restitution
If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. or a sheep: or, or a goat
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.</strong><br><br>Restitution exceeds theft—'five oxen for an ox' (חֲמִשָּׁה בָקָר, chamishah vaqar) means 500% repayment for oxen, 400% for sheep. Why the difference? Oxen are working animals; stealing one damages victim's livelihood more. The restitution is res...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XXII.
(1-4) Theft is here treated of with great brevity, only three kinds being distinguished—(1) Housebreaking; (2) stealing without conversion of the property; (3) stealing with conversion. The main principle of punishment laid down is the exaction from the offender o! *Double *(Exodus 22:4). When, however, there has been conversion of the property, the penalty is heavier, the return of four-fol...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9-15. The Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come ... in a thick cloud, &c.--**The deepest impressions are made on the mind through the medium of the senses; and so He who knew what was in man signalized His descent at the inauguration of the ancient church, by all the sensible tokens of august majesty that were fitted to produce the conviction that He is the great and terrible God. The whole multi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.</strong><br><br>Theft laws emphasize restitution over retribution—restoring victims exceeds merely punishing thieves. The graduated penalties (200-500% depending on circumstances) deter theft while providing for victim's losses. This restorative justice model contrasts with purely punitive sy...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **If a thief be found breaking up.**—Rather, *breaking in: i.e., *making forcible entry into a dwelling-house. Most codes agree with the Mosaic in allowing the inmates of the house to resist such an attempt if made at night, and to shed the blood of the burglar, if necessary. He may be considered as having dissolved the “social compact,” and converted himself from a fellow-citizen into a publi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, &c.--**The descent of God was signalized by every object imagination can conceive connected with the ideas of grandeur and of awe. But all was in keeping with the character of the law about to be proclaimed. As the mountain burned with fire, God was exhibited as a consuming fire to the transgressors of His law. The...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broad...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **If the sun be risen upon him.**—In the daytime no violence is to be feared. The housebreaker seeks to avoid observation, and decamps if discovered. Moreover, assistance is readily obtainable, and thus there is no need of resorting to extreme measures. The English law makes exactly the same distinction as the Mosaic.
**For he should make full **restitution.—Heb., *restoring, he shall restore....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God--**Wady-er-Raheh, where they stood, has a spacious sandy plain; immediately in front of Es Suksafeh, considered by Robinson to be the mount from which the law was given. "We measured it, and estimate the whole plain at two geographical miles long, and ranging in breadth from one-third to two-thirds of a mile, or as equivalent to...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neighbo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **If the theft be certainly found in his hand.**—If he had not converted it, consumed it, or, if it were an animal, killed it, then, instead of the four**-**fold or five-fold restitution of Exodus 22:1, a restoration of double was to suffice.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework fo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **If a man shall cause a field . . . to be eaten.**—On theft follows trespass, another injury to property. Two kinds of trespass alone are mentioned; but from these the principles to be followed in punishing trespass generally can be sufficiently made out. Accidental injury, such as that caused by fire extending from one man’s field into another’s, was to be simply compensated up to the amount...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **If fire break out, and catch in thorns.**—In the East, as elsewhere—*e.g., *Italy (Virg. *Georg., *i. 84) and England—it is customary at certain seasons to burn the weeds and other refuse of a farm, which, is collected for the purpose into heaps, and then set on fire. Such fires may spread, especially in the dry East, if care be not taken, and cause extensive damage to the crops, or even the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.</strong><br><br>Theft laws emphasize restitution over retribution—restoring victims exceeds merely punishing thieves. The graduated penalties (200-500% depending on circumstances) deter theft while providing for victim's losses. This restorat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7-13) Property deposited in the hands of another for safe keeping might be so easily embezzled by the trustee, or lost through his negligence, that some special laws were needed for its protection. Conversely the trustee required to be safe-guarded against incurring loss if the property intrusted to his care suffered damage or disappeared without fault of his. The Mosaic legislation provided for ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. the Lord said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people--**No sooner had Moses proceeded a little up the mount, than he was suddenly ordered to return, in order to keep the people from breaking through to gaze--a course adopted to heighten the impressive solemnity of the scene. The strict injunctions renewed to all, whatever their condition, at a time and in circumstances when the whole multitu...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>Theft laws emphasize restitution over retribution—restoring victims exceeds merely punishing thieves. The graduated penalties (200-500% depending on circumstances) deter theft while providing for victim's losses. This rest...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **To see whether he have put his hand.**—Kalisch translates, *to swear that he has not put his hand, *and so the LXX. (καὶ δμεῖται) and Vulg. (*et jurabit quod non extenderit manum*)*.*
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, propert...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **For all manner of trespass.**—Rather, *in every case of fraud. *The context limits the expression to cases of fraud, or alleged fraud, *in connection with a deposit.*
**For ox, for ass, for sheep.**—The deposit of animals is unknown in classical antiquity, but might well be the custom of a people whose wealth consisted in flocks and herds. In the wilderness small proprietors might have been ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principle...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **And it die, or be hurt, or driven away.**—The animal might “die*” *naturally, or “be hurt” by a wild beast or a fall down the rocks, or “be driven away” by the marauding tribes of the desert. Both parties might be agreed on the fact of its disappearance; the dispute would be as to the mode of the disappearance. Here the trustee might bring proof, if he could (Exodus 22:13); if not, he might...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flouris...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neighbor practically. Modern believers ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **If it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution.**—**It **seems to have been considered that theft could have been prevented by proper care, but that hurts from wild beasts or accidents were not preventible.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If it be torn in pieces , then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neighbor pr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Let him bring it for witness.**—This would not always be possible. Where it was not, the trustee could fall back on the oath.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 20 Ex 20:1-26. The Ten Commandments.
**1. And God spake all these words--**The Divine Being Himself was the speaker (De 5:12, 32, 33), in tones so loud as to be heard--so distinct as to be intelligible by the whole multitude standing in the valleys below, amid the most appalling phenomena of agitated nature. Had He been simply addressing rational and intelligent creatures, He would have s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14, 15) Lending is a species of deposit; but for the benefit, not of the depositor, but of the man with whom the deposit is made. The obligation of the latter to keep intact and to return is therefore even more stringent than in the preceding case. Consequently, if the thing lent were lost or injured, however the loss was brought about, the borrower was justly called upon to make it good. The onl...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. I am the Lord thy God--**This is a preface to the ten commandments--the latter clause being specially applicable to the case of the Israelites, while the former brings it home to all mankind; showing that the reasonableness of the law is founded in their eternal relation as creatures to their Creator, and their mutual relations to each other.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neighbor...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **If it be a hired thing.**—Letting out for hire is akin to lending; but still quite a different transaction. Damage to a thing hired was not to be made good by the hirer, since the risk of it might be considered to have formed part of the calculation upon which the amount of the hire was fixed.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me--**in My presence, beside, or except Me.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →Laws About Social Responsibility
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.</strong><br><br>'Entice' (יְפַתֶּה, yefateh) means seduce—consensual but unmarried sex. The man 'shall surely endow' (מָהֹר יִמְהָרֶנָּה, mahor yimharenah)—pay bride-price and marry her. This protects the woman's reputation and future—in ancient culture, loss of virginity outside m...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
MISCELLANEOUS LAWS.
(16-31) The remainder of the chapter contains laws which it is impossible to bring under any general head or heads, and which can, therefore, only be regarded as miscellaneous. Moses may have recorded them in the order in which they were delivered to him; or have committed them to writing as they afterwards occurred to his memory.
(16) **If a man entice a maid.**—The seduction ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-5. Thou shalt not make ... any graven image ... thou shalt not bow down thyself to them--**that is, "make in order to bow." Under the auspices of Moses himself, figures of cherubim, brazen serpents, oxen, and many other things in the earth beneath, were made and never condemned. The mere making was no sin--it was the making with the intent to give idolatrous worship.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. pay: Heb. weigh
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neighbor pract...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **He shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.**—It is not stated what the amount was to be in this case; but probably it was more than in the other.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-5. Thou shalt not make ... any graven image ... thou shalt not bow down thyself to them--**that is, "make in order to bow." Under the auspices of Moses himself, figures of cherubim, brazen serpents, oxen, and many other things in the earth beneath, were made and never condemned. The mere making was no sin--it was the making with the intent to give idolatrous worship.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neighbor practically. Modern believers aren't bound by ceremonial laws but shoul...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.**—The word translated “witch” in this passage is the feminine singular of that rendered by “sorcerers” in Exodus 7:11, and means “a mutterer of charms.” The use of the feminine form can only be accounted for by supposing that, practically, witchcraft was at the time mainly professed by females. Whether “witches” had actual help from evil spirits, or on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neighbor practically. Modern believers aren't bound by cerem...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) The sin here denounced was common among the Canaanitish nations (Leviticus 18:24), and not unknown in Egypt (Herod. ii. 46). It was therefore necessary that God’s abhorrence of it should be distinctly declared to Israel.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neighbor practically. Modern ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **He that sacrificeth.**—Sacrifice in this place represents worship generally, being its most essential act. Elsewhere the death-penalty is affixed to any acknowledgment of false gods (Deuteronomy 13:1-16).
**Shall be utterly destroyed.**—Heb., *Shall be devoted, i.e., *devoted to destruction.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. Remember the sabbath day--**implying it was already known, and recognized as a season of sacred rest. The first four commandments [Ex 20:3-11] comprise our duties to God--the other six [Ex 20:12-17] our duties to our fellow men; and as interpreted by Christ, they reach to the government of the heart as well as the lip (Mt 5:17). "If a man do them he shall live in them" [Le 18:5; Ne 9:29]. But...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.</strong><br><br>'Stranger' (גֵּר, ger) is resident alien—foreigner living in Israel. 'Vex and oppress' (לֹא־תוֹנֶה וְלֹא תִלְחָצֶנּוּ, lo-toneh velo tilchatzenu) means 'don't wrong or exploit.' The motivation: 'ye were strangers in Egypt'—remember your oppression, don't inflict it on others. God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21-24) The juxtaposition of laws against oppression with three crimes of the deepest dye seems intended to indicate that oppression is among the sins which are most hateful in God’s sight. The lawgiver, however, does not say that it is to be punished capitally, nor, indeed, does he affix to it any legal penalty. Instead of so doing, he declares that God Himself will punish it “with the sword” (Ex...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.</strong><br><br>Widows (אַלְמָנָה, almanah) and orphans (יָתוֹם, yatom) are society's most vulnerable—lacking male protection in patriarchal culture. 'Afflict' (תְּעַנּוּן, te'annun) means oppress, take advantage of. God especially defends these groups (Psalm 68:5, 'father of the fatherless, defender of widows'). James defines pure relig...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neighbor practically. Mode...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me.**—Rather, *If thou afflict them sore, and they cry earnestly unto me. *On the transgression of the laws against oppression by the later Israelites, see Jeremiah 5:28; Jeremiah 7:6; Jeremiah 22:3; Jeremiah 22:17; Zech. 7:20; Malachi 3:5; Matthew 23:14, &c. The sword of the Babylonians and the sword of the Romans avenged the suffe...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.</strong><br><br>God's special concern for society's vulnerable appears throughout Scripture. The poor (אֶבְיוֹן, evyon), widows (אַלְמָנָה, almanah), and strangers (גֵּר, ger) lacked powerful advocates—so God becomes their defender. These laws protect against econom...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.</strong><br><br>'My people' (עַמִּי, ammi) emphasizes covenant relationship—they're God's, not just yours. 'Usury' (נֶשֶׁךְ, neshekh) means interest, literally 'bite'—money that bites back, multiplying debt. Charging interest to poor fellow-Israelites i...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25-27) The Mosaic law of borrowing and lending was strange and peculiar. It was absolutely forbidden to exact any interest from those borrowers who were Israelites. The wording of the present passage, and of some others (Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 15:7), construed strictly, prohibits interest only on loans to the poor; but, as in a primitive state of society only the poor wish to borrow, the qu...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love God supremely, love neigh...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26, 27) **Thy neighbour’s raiment**.—The *simlah, *or *salmah, *here translated “raiment,” was the large flowing outer raiment, elsewhere called *beged, *which was commonly of woollen, and corresponded to the *abba *of the modern Arabs. It was a warm wrapper, and has sometimes been compared to a Scotch plaid. The poor Israelite did not much want it by day; but needed it as a blanket by night—a pr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each l...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. gods: or, judges
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.</strong><br><br>'Revile the gods' (אֱלֹהִים לֹא תְקַלֵּל, Elohim lo teqallel)—'gods' is likely judges/rulers (elohim can mean God, gods, or judges; Psalm 82:6). The parallel with 'ruler' (נָשִׂיא, nasi) supports this. Paul quotes this in Acts 23:5 regarding the high priest—even corrupt authority deserves respect for office'...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(28) **Thou shalt not revile the gods.—**The LXX. And Vulgate give the passage this sense; and so it was understood, or at any rate expounded, by Philo (*De Vit. Mos. *ii. 26) and Josephus (*Ant. Jud. *iv. 8, § 10), who boasted that the Jews abstained from reviling the gods of the nations. But the practice of the most pious Israelites in the best times was different (1Kings 18:27; Psalm 115:4-8; P...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →Firstfruits and Offerings
Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. the first: Heb. thy fulness liquors: Heb. tear
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.</strong><br><br>'First of ripe fruits' (מְלֵאָתְךָ וְדִמְעֲךָ, mele'atekha vedim'akha) means 'fullness and flow'—grain harvest and wine/oil. 'Not delay' (לֹא תְאַחֵר, lo te'achar)—prompt offering shows trust in God's provision. 'Firstborn of thy sons' (בְּכוֹר ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29) **The first of thy ripe fruits.**—Heb., *of thy fulness. *“Firstfruits” were the spontaneous tribute of natural piety among almost all nations. They were called by the Greeks ἀπαρχαί, by the Romans *primitive. *Abel’s offering (Genesis 4:4) was one of the “firstlings of his flock,” and Cain’s probably one of firstfruits. In the present passage it is assumed that firstfruits are due, and the s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.</strong><br><br>This ordinance reveals God's comprehensive justice—regulating economic transactions, property rights, and social relationships. The mishpatim create framework for covenant community to flourish. Each law applies broader principles: love G...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(30) **Thine oxen.**—Rather, *thy beeves. *The word used is applied to horned cattle of either sex.
**Seven days it shall be with his dam.**—Compare Leviticus 22:27. The main object of forbidding sacrifice before the eighth day would appear to have beer-regard for the health and comfort of the mother, which needed the relief obtained by suckling its offspring. There may also have underlain the pro...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-21. all the people saw the thunderings and the lightnings--**They were eye and ear witnesses of the awful emblems of the Deity's descent. But they perceived not the Deity Himself.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.</strong><br><br>'Holy men' (אַנְשֵׁי־קֹדֶשׁ, anshei-qodesh)—set apart people. Holiness affects diet: don't eat torn flesh (טְרֵפָה, terefah, carrion). Why? It's impure—animals killed by predators likely have blood still in them, violating clean eating laws. 'C...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(31) **Ye shall be holy men unto me.**—Compare Exodus 19:6. The holiness really desired was holiness of heart and spirit. Outward ordinances could not effect this; but, to keep the thought perpetually before- men’s minds, a network of external obligations was devised, whereof a specimen is given in the law which follows. The flesh of an animal torn by a carnivorous beast would be doubly unclean: (...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-21. all the people saw the thunderings and the lightnings--**They were eye and ear witnesses of the awful emblems of the Deity's descent. But they perceived not the Deity Himself.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 22
Judicial laws.
--The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the...
Read full commentary →