King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
[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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
If the owner was present, he need not make good the loss. If the owner hired it out, the loss is covered by the hiring fee.
Berean Standard Bible:
If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss.
American Standard Version:
If the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be a hired thing, it came for its hire.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But if the owner{H1167} thereof be with it, he shall not make it good{H7999}: if it be an hired{H7916} thing, it came{H935} for his hire{H7939}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Zechariah 8:10
- For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither [was there any] peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 22:15
1. Themes:
- Responsibility and restitution: The verse addresses the issue of responsibility when an individual hires an animal that then causes damage. It outlines that if the owner is present and the animal causes harm, the owner is not liable for restitution because the animal was under the control of the person who hired it.
- Justice and fairness: The law emphasizes fairness in dealing with property damage, distinguishing between owner liability and the responsibilities of those who rent or hire property or animals.
- Property rights: The verse reflects the importance of property rights in ancient Israelite society, including the rights and obligations associated with hiring animals or property.
2. Historical Context:
- The verse is part of the Covenant Code (Exodus 20:22-23:33), a collection of laws given to the Israelites after the Ten Commandments. These laws provided guidance on various aspects of community life, civil law, and worship.
- The laws in Exodus were given in the context of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, a period when they were transitioning from a group of escaped slaves to a nation with its own legal and moral code.
- The ancient Near Eastern context: Similar legal concepts concerning the hiring of animals and responsibility for damage can be found in other ancient Near Eastern law codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi. This suggests a shared legal culture in the region regarding property rights and liability.
- The societal context: The laws in Exodus, including this one, were meant to govern a society that was primarily agrarian, where animals played a significant role in daily life and the economy. Disputes over property and animal damage would have been common, necessitating clear legal guidelines.
In summary, Exodus 22:15 reflects themes of responsibility, justice, and property rights within the historical context of the Israelites' formation as a nation and their need for a comprehensive legal system that addressed everyday issues and mirrored some aspects of broader ancient Near Eastern legal practices.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1167
There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּעַל
Transliteration: baʻal
Pronunciation: bah'-al
Description: from בָּעַל; a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense); [phrase] archer, [phrase] babbler, [phrase] bird, captain, chief man, [phrase] confederate, [phrase] have to do, [phrase] dreamer, those to whom it is due, [phrase] furious, those that are given to it, great, [phrase] hairy, he that hath it, have, [phrase] horseman, husband, lord, man, [phrase] married, master, person, [phrase] sworn, they of. - Strong's Number: H7999
There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַם
Transliteration: shâlam
Pronunciation: shaw-lam'
Description: a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications); make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H7916
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂכִיר
Transliteration: sâkîyr
Pronunciation: saw-keer'
Description: from שָׂכַר; a man at wages by the day or year; hired (man, servant), hireling. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H7939
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂכָר
Transliteration: sâkâr
Pronunciation: saw-kawr'
Description: from שָׂכַר; payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit; hire, price, reward(-ed), wages, worth.