Exodus 22:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"If a person causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over or lets his animal loose to graze in someone else's field, he is to make restitution from the best produce of his own field and vineyard.

Berean Standard Bible:

If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and allows them to stray so that they graze in someone else’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.

American Standard Version:

If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall let his beast loose, and it 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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

If a man^{H376} shall cause a field^{H7704} or vineyard^{H3754} to be eaten^{H1197}, and shall put^{H7971} in his beast^{H1165}, and shall feed^{H1197} in another man's^{H312} field^{H7704}; of the best^{H4315} of his own field^{H7704}, and of the best^{H4315} of his own vineyard^{H3754}, shall he make restitution^{H7999}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 22:5

1. **Themes:**
- **Restitution:** Exodus 22:5 emphasizes the principle of making amends for damages caused by one's property. The verse specifies that if an individual's animal eats from someone else's field or vineyard, the owner of the animal is responsible for providing compensation.
- **Personal Responsibility:** The verse reflects the expectation of personal responsibility for one's possessions, including animals, and the impact they may have on the property of others.
- **Justice and Fairness:** The requirement for restitution with the best of one's own produce underscores the importance of fairness and equitable justice within the community.
- **Property Rights:** The commandment upholds the sanctity of private property, ensuring that individuals are protected from unauthorized use or damage by others.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The Book of Exodus is set in the context of the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt and their journey towards the Promised Land. This verse is part of the Covenant Code, which contains a series of laws given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
- **Agrarian Society:** Ancient Israel was primarily an agrarian society where fields and vineyards were essential for survival. The laws were designed to maintain social order and ensure that the community could sustain itself without the destructive consequences of unchecked behavior.
- **Legal Framework:** The laws in Exodus were foundational for the development of Israelite law and society. They provided a framework for resolving disputes and preventing conflicts within the community, which was crucial for the stability of the newly forming nation.
- **The Decalogue and Covenant Code:** Exodus 22:5 is part of the Covenant Code (Exodus 20:22–23:33), which follows the Ten Commandments (Decalogue) and provides more detailed civil, social, religious, and moral laws. These laws were integral to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, outlining how they were to live as a distinct and holy people.

In summary, Exodus 22:5 deals with themes of restitution, personal responsibility, justice, fairness, and property rights within the historical context of early Israelite society, which was transitioning from a loose collection of tribes to a nation governed by a divine covenant and detailed legal code.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7704
   There are 309 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂדֶה
   Transliteration: sâdeh
   Pronunciation: saw-deh'
   Description: or שָׂדַי; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat); country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3754
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֶּרֶם
   Transliteration: kerem
   Pronunciation: keh'-rem
   Description: from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or vineyard; vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1197
   There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּעַר
   Transliteration: bâʻar
   Pronunciation: baw-ar'
   Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
6. Strong's Number: H1165
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּעִיר
   Transliteration: bᵉʻîyr
   Pronunciation: beh-ere'
   Description: from בָּעַר (in the sense of eating); cattle; beast, cattle.
   
7. Strong's Number: H312
   There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחֵר
   Transliteration: ʼachêr
   Pronunciation: akh-air'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.; (an-) other man, following, next, strange.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4315
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֵיטָב
   Transliteration: mêyṭâb
   Pronunciation: may-tawb'
   Description: from יָטַב; the best part; best.
   
9. 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.