Exodus 22:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"If a person entrusts a neighbor with money or goods, and they are stolen from the trustee's house, then, if the thief is found, he must pay double.

Berean Standard Bible:

If a man gives his neighbor money or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.

American Standard Version:

If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, he shall pay double.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

If a man^{H376} shall deliver^{H5414} unto his neighbour^{H7453} money^{H3701} or stuff^{H3627} to keep^{H8104}, and it be stolen^{H1589} out of the man's^{H376} house^{H1004}; if the thief^{H1590} be found^{H4672}, let him pay^{H7999} double^{H8147}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 22:7

Exodus 22:7 is part of a larger section in the book of Exodus known as the Covenant Code, which contains a series of laws given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. This particular verse addresses the issue of property rights and theft within the community. In the historical context, the Israelites were in the process of transitioning from a nomadic to a more settled agricultural lifestyle, which required new social and legal structures to manage property and possessions.

The verse outlines a scenario where one individual (the depositor) entrusts money or goods to a neighbor (the custodian) for safekeeping. If this property is then stolen from the custodian's house, the text prescribes a legal remedy: once the thief is caught, he must pay back double the value of the stolen goods. This principle of restitution is a common theme in ancient Near Eastern law, including the legal codes of other contemporary societies.

The theme of the verse emphasizes personal responsibility and accountability within the community. It seeks to protect the rights of the depositor by ensuring that they receive compensation for their loss. At the same time, it imposes a strict penalty on the thief, likely as a deterrent to potential criminals and to underscore the gravity of violating another's property rights. The law also implies a level of trust expected among community members, as individuals are expected to safeguard each other's property.

In a broader sense, Exodus 22:7 reflects the establishment of a just and orderly society, where laws are in place to govern relationships and conduct, and where there are clear consequences for wrongdoing. This is consistent with the overall purpose of the Covenant Code, which aims to guide the Israelites in living harmoniously under God's guidance and in accordance with His laws.

*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: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7453
   There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֵעַ
   Transliteration: rêaʻ
   Pronunciation: ray'-ah
   Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3701
   There are 343 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֶּסֶף
   Transliteration: keçeph
   Pronunciation: keh'-sef
   Description: from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling).
   
5. Strong's Number: H3627
   There are 276 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּלִי
   Transliteration: kᵉlîy
   Pronunciation: kel-ee'
   Description: from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8104
   There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַר
   Transliteration: shâmar
   Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
   
7. Strong's Number: H1589
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּנַב
   Transliteration: gânab
   Pronunciation: gaw-nab'
   Description: a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive; carry away, [idiom] indeed, secretly bring, steal (away), get by stealth.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
9. Strong's Number: H1590
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גַּנָּב
   Transliteration: gannâb
   Pronunciation: gaw-nab'
   Description: from גָּנַב; a stealer; thief.
   
10. 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.
    
11. 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.
    
12. Strong's Number: H8147
    There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
    Transliteration: shᵉnayim
    Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
    Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.