Exodus 22:1

KJV

¶ If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

KJV (with Strong's)

If a man {H376} shall steal {H1589} an ox {H7794}, or a sheep {H7716}, and kill {H2873} it, or sell {H4376} it; he shall restore {H7999} five {H2568} oxen {H1241} for an ox {H7794}, and four {H702} sheep {H6629} for a sheep {H7716}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"If someone steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he is to pay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.

Berean Standard Bible

“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.

American Standard Version

If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 22:1 introduces a foundational statute within the "Book of the Covenant," detailing the severe penalties for the theft of valuable livestock—oxen and sheep—when the stolen animal is subsequently killed or sold, thus permanently removed from the owner's possession. This law mandates a punitive restitution of five oxen for one ox stolen, and four sheep for one sheep stolen, underscoring God's commitment to justice, the protection of private property, and the economic stability of the Israelite community, while also serving as a significant deterrent against such offenses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 22:1 is situated within the broader collection of laws known as the "Book of the Covenant" ([Exodus 20:22-23:33](/exodus/20-22 "Exodus 20:22-23:33 - The Book of the Covenant")), which immediately follows the Ten Commandments. This section transitions from broad moral principles to specific casuistic laws ("If...then...") that govern daily life, civil disputes, and social order within the nascent Israelite nation. The preceding chapters establish the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and these laws provide the practical framework for living out that covenant. Specifically, this verse follows regulations concerning personal injury and other property offenses, highlighting the critical importance of livestock in an agrarian society and the severe impact of their theft.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, an agrarian society, livestock constituted the primary form of wealth, capital, and livelihood. Oxen were indispensable for plowing fields, transportation, and heavy labor, representing long-term agricultural productivity. Sheep provided wool, milk, meat, and were also a form of transferable wealth. The theft of such animals was not a minor misdemeanor but a direct assault on a family's economic stability, potentially leading to destitution. The law reflects an understanding of the profound economic disruption caused by such a crime, where the loss of a productive animal meant not only the loss of the animal itself but also the future income and sustenance it would have provided. The varying restitution rates for oxen and sheep likely reflect their relative economic value and utility in the ancient Near Eastern economy, with oxen generally being more valuable as capital assets.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Restore (Hebrew, _shalam'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁלַם (*shalam*) means "to be complete," "to be sound," "to make good," or "to repay." In this legal context, it signifies not merely returning what was taken, but making the injured party "whole" again, often with an added penalty. This concept goes beyond simple compensation, incorporating a punitive element designed to deter future offenses and underscore the gravity of the crime. It emphasizes the restoration of order and justice within the community.
* **Ox (Hebrew, _shor'_):** The Hebrew word שׁוֹר (*shor*) refers to a bull or ox, an animal crucial for agricultural labor (plowing, threshing) and as a significant source of meat and hides. Its high value as a capital asset in an agrarian economy is reflected in the fivefold restitution rate, indicating its immense importance to a household's livelihood and productivity.
* **Sheep (Hebrew, _seh'_):** The Hebrew word שֶׂה (*seh*) is a general term for a sheep or goat, animals valued for their wool, milk, and meat. While also vital, their economic utility was generally less than that of an ox for heavy labor, which is possibly reflected in the slightly lower, though still substantial, fourfold restitution rate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep,"**: This opening clause establishes the condition for the law's application—the act of theft. It specifies the type of property, highlighting the particular vulnerability and value of livestock in the Israelite economy. The casuistic "If..." structure is characteristic of ancient Near Eastern law codes.
* **"and kill it, or sell it;"**: This crucial phrase defines the circumstances that trigger the severe restitution penalty. The act of killing or selling the stolen animal signifies its permanent removal from the owner's possession, making its recovery impossible. This contrasts with cases where the animal is found alive in the thief's possession, which carried a lesser penalty (e.g., [Exodus 22:4](/exodus/22-4 "Exodus 22:4 - Lesser Restitution for Found Stolen Property")). The permanent loss necessitates a higher form of compensation and deterrence.
* **"he shall restore five oxen for an ox,"**: For a stolen ox that is killed or sold, the thief is required to repay five oxen. This fivefold restitution is a significant penalty, far exceeding the value of the original stolen item. It serves as a strong deterrent, a punitive measure, and a substantial compensation for the deep economic loss suffered by the victim, acknowledging the ox's vital role as a productive asset.
* **"and four sheep for a sheep."**: Similarly, for a stolen sheep that is killed or sold, the thief must restore four sheep. While slightly less than the penalty for an ox, this fourfold restitution is still substantial. It underscores the value of sheep and the seriousness of their theft, maintaining the principle of punitive compensation and deterrence for permanent loss.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 22:1 primarily employs **Casuistic Law**, a common legal formulation in the ancient Near East, characterized by its "if...then..." structure. This precise, conditional phrasing ("If a man shall steal... and kill it, or sell it; then he shall restore...") provides clear, actionable guidelines for specific scenarios, making the law directly applicable to various situations encountered in daily life. This legal style contrasts with apodictic law (absolute commands like the Ten Commandments). Furthermore, the verse uses **Emphasis** through the high, disproportionate restitution rates (fivefold and fourfold). This exaggerated penalty serves to underscore the gravity of the offense and the severe consequences for the perpetrator, thereby maximizing its deterrent effect. The specific enumeration of "five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep" also demonstrates a form of **Specificity** that leaves little room for ambiguity in judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 22:1 reveals God's profound concern for justice, the sanctity of private property, and the economic well-being of His people. It demonstrates that God's law is not merely about abstract morality but provides practical, equitable solutions for maintaining social order and protecting the vulnerable. The principle of restitution, especially punitive restitution, reflects a divine standard where wrongdoing must be made right, with an added cost to deter future transgressions and ensure the victim is more than compensated for their loss and suffering. This law underscores that theft is not just an offense against an individual, but against the communal fabric and, ultimately, against God's established order.
* [Exodus 22:4](/exodus/22-4 "Exodus 22:4 - Lesser Restitution for Found Stolen Property")
* [Proverbs 6:30-31](/proverbs/6-30-31 "Proverbs 6:30-31 - The Thief Who Steals to Satisfy Hunger")
* [Luke 19:8](/luke/19-8 "Luke 19:8 - Zacchaeus's Restitution")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 22:1 offers timeless principles for reflection and application, even in modern contexts with different legal systems. It challenges us to consider the true cost of our actions, particularly those that infringe upon the livelihood and well-being of others. The law's emphasis on restitution over mere punishment encourages us to think about how justice can truly restore what was lost, both materially and relationally, rather than simply isolating offenders. It calls us to value honest labor and the means by which people sustain themselves, recognizing that disrespecting another's property is a violation of their dignity and security. For believers, this passage reminds us of God's meticulous care for justice and righteousness, urging us to embody these principles in our interactions and to advocate for systems that genuinely seek to make victims whole.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this ancient law's emphasis on restitution challenge or affirm our modern justice systems, which often prioritize incarceration over victim compensation?**
* **What does the varying restitution rate (five for an ox, four for a sheep) teach us about the value of different forms of livelihood and capital in any society?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals or communities, apply the principle of "making things right" and offering restitution for wrongs, even when not legally mandated?**

### FAQ
**Why is the restitution rate higher for an ox than for a sheep (fivefold vs. fourfold)?**

Answer: The differing restitution rates likely reflect the relative economic value and utility of these animals in ancient Israelite society. An ox was a significantly more valuable asset due to its role in heavy agricultural labor (plowing, threshing) and transportation. It represented a household's primary means of production and long-term capital. The loss of an ox would have a more devastating and lasting impact on a family's ability to earn a living than the loss of a sheep. Therefore, the higher fivefold restitution for an ox served as a greater deterrent and provided more comprehensive compensation for the profound economic disruption caused by its theft. This distinction highlights the law's practical understanding of economic realities (see also [Exodus 21:28](/exodus/21-28 "Exodus 21:28 - Goring Ox Law") for another example of valuing an ox).

**What if the thief could not afford to pay the restitution?**

Answer: Ancient Israelite law, while emphasizing restitution, also had provisions for when an offender could not pay. [Exodus 22:3](/exodus/22-3 "Exodus 22:3 - Thief Sold for His Theft") states that "if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft." This meant that the thief could be sold into temporary servitude to the victim or to another party, with the proceeds or labor going towards satisfying the debt. This practice, while harsh by modern standards, ensured that justice was served and the victim received some form of compensation, even if not in direct monetary or livestock terms. It underscored the seriousness of the crime and the principle that one must bear the consequences of their actions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 22:1, with its rigorous demands for restitution, powerfully underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of making things right. While the Mosaic Law provided a framework for earthly justice, it ultimately pointed to a deeper spiritual reality: humanity's inability to fully "restore" itself from the theft of God's glory through sin. Jesus Christ fulfills the spirit and purpose of this law not by abolishing it, but by perfectly embodying its demands and providing the ultimate "restitution" for humanity's trespasses. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering His own life as the perfect sacrifice to pay the debt we could never repay. His atoning work on the cross is the ultimate act of "restoration," not merely fourfold or fivefold, but an infinite restoration, bringing humanity back into right relationship with God ([2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")). Through Christ, the law's demand for justice is met, and its underlying principle of restoring brokenness is realized in the new covenant, where God's law is written on our hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "The New Covenant")), empowering us to live righteously and seek reconciliation in our own relationships, reflecting the divine justice and mercy we have received.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.