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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"If a fire is started and spreads to thorns, so that stacked grain, standing grain or a field is destroyed, the person who lit it must make restitution.
Berean Standard Bible:
If a fire breaks out and spreads to thornbushes so that it consumes stacked or standing grain, or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution.
American Standard Version:
If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
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.
Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
And when he had set the brands on fire, he let [them] go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards [and] olives.
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Commentary for Exodus 22:6
**Exodus 22:6 Themes:**
- **Restitution:** The verse emphasizes the principle of restitution, where someone responsible for causing damage must compensate the victim for their loss. This theme is rooted in the concept of justice and personal responsibility within the community.
- **Property Rights:** It underscores the importance of respecting and protecting the property of others, a significant aspect of ancient (and modern) legal systems.
- **Carefulness and Accountability:** The verse serves as a warning to be cautious with fire, especially in areas where it could easily spread and cause extensive damage. It holds individuals accountable for the consequences of their actions.
**Historical Context:**
- **Agricultural Society:** During the time of Exodus, the Israelites were primarily an agrarian society. Crops were vital for survival, and the loss of a crop due to fire could be catastrophic for an individual or family.
- **Legal Codes:** The verse is part of the Covenant Code, which contains a series of laws given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. These laws were designed to govern the social and religious life of the community.
- **Early Legal System:** The detailed laws regarding property damage reflect the development of a formal legal system that sought to maintain order and resolve disputes in a structured manner.
- **Preventive Measure:** By mandating restitution for fire damage, the law likely aimed to deter negligent behavior that could lead to such disasters, thus promoting a culture of vigilance and care within the community.
In summary, Exodus 22:6 addresses themes of justice through restitution, respect for property rights, and the importance of personal accountability and carefulness in an agrarian society. It is set within the context of early Israelite legal codes that were foundational for the community's social order and economic stability.
*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: H784 There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֵשׁ Transliteration: ʼêsh Pronunciation: aysh Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
Strong's Number: H3318 There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יָצָא Transliteration: yâtsâʼ Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw' Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
Strong's Number: H4672 There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מָצָא Transliteration: mâtsâʼ Pronunciation: maw-tsaw' Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
Strong's Number: H6975 There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: קוֹץ Transliteration: qôwts Pronunciation: kotse Description: or קֹץ; from קוּץ (in the sense of pricking); a thorn; thorn.
Strong's Number: H1430 There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: גָּדִישׁ Transliteration: gâdîysh Pronunciation: gaw-deesh' Description: from an unused root (meaning to heap up); a stack of sheaves; by analogy, a tomb; shock (stack) (of corn), tomb.
Strong's Number: H7054 There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: קָמָה Transliteration: qâmâh Pronunciation: kuw-maw' Description: feminine of active participle of קוּם; something that rises, i.e. a stalk of grain; (standing) corn, grown up, stalk.
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.
Strong's Number: H398 There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָכַל Transliteration: ʼâkal Pronunciation: aw-kal' Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
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.
Strong's Number: H1200 There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בְּעֵרָה Transliteration: bᵉʻêrâh Pronunciation: be-ay-raw' Description: from בָּעַר; a burning; fire.
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.