King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 22:2 Mean?

Deuteronomy 22:2 in the King James Version says “And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.

Deuteronomy 22:2 · KJV


Context

1

Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.

2

And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.

3

In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.

4

Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. The law extends beyond convenient situations to require effort even when restoration is difficult. Distance or anonymity does not excuse the obligation to preserve neighbors' property.

Bringing lost property unto thine own house requires taking responsibility and bearing cost of caring for it. The finder must feed and shelter the animal until the owner is found, accepting inconvenience and expense to benefit the neighbor.

The phrase until thy brother seek after it implies active searching by the owner while the finder provides safe keeping. Both parties have responsibilities - the finder preserves, the owner seeks. Community flourishing requires mutual effort.

The promise thou shalt restore it to him again emphasizes returning, not claiming ownership despite investment in caring for it. Faithfulness requires restoring what belongs to others without demanding compensation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Israel without centralized lost-and-found systems, this law created informal network of mutual care. Finders became temporary stewards, preserving property for later restoration.

The requirement to house and feed animals until claimed could involve significant expense, demonstrating that covenant love requires real sacrifice, not mere convenience.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this law teach about responsibility even when restoration is difficult or costly?
  2. How does taking on expense to benefit unknown neighbors demonstrate covenant love?
  3. Why is it significant that the finder cannot claim ownership despite investment in care?
  4. What does mutual responsibility (finder preserves, owner seeks) teach about community?
  5. How might this principle apply to contemporary situations of lost or abandoned property?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְאִם1 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֨א2 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

קָר֥וֹב3 of 19

be not nigh

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

אָחִ֙יךָ֙4 of 19

And if thy brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֵלֶ֖יךָ5 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְלֹ֣א6 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְדַעְתּ֑וֹ7 of 19

unto thee or if thou know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וַֽאֲסַפְתּוֹ֙8 of 19

him not then thou shalt bring

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֶל9 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תּ֣וֹךְ10 of 19

it unto

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ11 of 19

thine own house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְהָיָ֣ה12 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִמְּךָ֗13 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

עַ֣ד14 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

דְּרֹ֤שׁ15 of 19

seek

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

אָחִ֙יךָ֙16 of 19

And if thy brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֹת֔וֹ17 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַהֲשֵֽׁבֹת֖וֹ18 of 19

after it and thou shalt restore it to him again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לֽוֹ׃19 of 19
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 22:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 22:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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