Exodus 22:10

KJV

If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing [it]:

KJV (with Strong's)

If a man {H376} deliver {H5414} unto his neighbour {H7453} an ass {H2543}, or an ox {H7794}, or a sheep {H7716}, or any beast {H929}, to keep {H8104}; and it die {H4191}, or be hurt {H7665}, or driven away {H7617}, no man seeing {H7200} it:

Complete Jewish Bible

"If a person trusts a neighbor to look after a donkey, ox, sheep or any animal, and it dies, is injured or is driven away unseen,

Berean Standard Bible

If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to be cared for by his neighbor, but it dies or is injured or stolen while no one is watching,

American Standard Version

If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 22:10 outlines a specific civil law within the Mosaic Covenant concerning the responsibility of a person entrusted with another's livestock. It addresses scenarios where an animal (ass, ox, sheep, or other beast) dies, is injured, or goes missing while in the care of a neighbor, specifically when there are no human witnesses to the event. This legal provision highlights the importance of accountability, trust within the community, and the unique role of a divine oath in resolving disputes where direct evidence is absent.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 22:10 is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" found in [Exodus 20:22-23:33](/exodus/20-22 "Exodus 20:22 - Exodus 23:33 - The Book of the Covenant"), a collection of civil and social laws given by God to Israel immediately following the Ten Commandments. This section provides practical applications of the broader covenant principles, detailing how justice, righteousness, and community life should be governed. Specifically, this verse falls within a series of laws concerning property rights and responsibilities, particularly regarding bailment—the act of entrusting one's property to another. It follows regulations on theft and damage to fields (Exodus 22:1-9) and precedes the crucial provision in [Exodus 22:11](/exodus/22-11 "Exodus 22:11 - The Oath Before the Lord"), which dictates that in the absence of witnesses, an oath before the Lord is required to determine liability, distinguishing between accidental loss and negligence or theft.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was primarily an agrarian society where livestock represented significant wealth and livelihood. Asses, oxen, and sheep were not merely possessions but vital assets for transportation, labor, food, and trade. The practice of entrusting animals to neighbors for temporary keeping was common, reflecting a communal interdependence and a basic level of trust. However, such arrangements also carried inherent risks. The legal system of the time relied heavily on witnesses for establishing facts and guilt. In cases where no human witness was present, as explicitly stated in this verse, the legal framework had to account for the difficulty of proving negligence or innocence. This led to the institution of the divine oath, where an individual would swear before God, invoking divine judgment as the ultimate arbiter of truth, a practice deeply embedded in the legal and religious fabric of ancient Near Eastern societies.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _natan_):** The Hebrew verb נָתַן (_natan_) means "to give," "to place," or "to set." In this context, it signifies the intentional act of entrusting or handing over property to another for safekeeping. It implies a voluntary transfer of possession, establishing a temporary relationship of trust and responsibility between the owner and the keeper (bailee).
* **To keep (Hebrew, _shamar_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁמַר (_shamar_) is a rich term meaning "to guard," "to watch over," "to preserve," or "to observe." It denotes an active and diligent responsibility, not merely passive storage. The bailee is expected to exercise reasonable care and vigilance over the entrusted animal, protecting it from harm or loss. This word underscores the duty of stewardship inherent in the agreement.
* **No man seeing [it] (Hebrew, _ein ro'eh_):** The phrase אֵין רֹאֶה (_ein ro'eh_) literally translates to "there is no seeing one" or "no one seeing." This is the critical legal qualifier of the verse. It establishes the absence of human witnesses as the condition under which the subsequent legal procedure (the oath before the Lord in [Exodus 22:11](/exodus/22-11 "Exodus 22:11 - The Oath Before the Lord")) becomes necessary. It highlights the challenge of proving fault or innocence when direct observation is lacking, necessitating an appeal to divine omniscience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep;":** This clause sets the premise of the law: a gratuitous bailment, where an owner entrusts valuable livestock (or any other animal) to a neighbor for care, without any explicit payment for the service. The specific mention of asses, oxen, and sheep underscores their economic importance in an agrarian society, representing significant capital and labor. The act of "delivering to keep" establishes a clear relationship of trust and a corresponding duty of care on the part of the neighbor.
* **"and it die, or be hurt, or driven away,":** This specifies the various forms of harm or loss that might befall the entrusted animal. "Die" refers to the animal's death, "be hurt" implies injury, and "driven away" indicates that the animal has gone missing, likely stolen or strayed. These outcomes represent a loss to the owner and raise questions about the bailee's diligence or culpability.
* **"no man seeing [it]:"** This crucial phrase defines the legal context. The absence of human witnesses fundamentally alters the legal process. Without direct testimony, it becomes impossible for human courts to ascertain whether the loss was due to negligence, an unavoidable accident, or even theft by a third party. This lack of human evidence necessitates a different form of verification, which the subsequent verse (Exodus 22:11) reveals to be an oath before the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 22:10 exemplifies **Casuistic Law**, a common legal form in the ancient Near East. It is structured as a conditional statement ("If... then..."), outlining a specific case and its corresponding legal consequence (though the consequence is fully detailed in the following verses). This precise, case-by-case approach ensures clarity and addresses common societal situations. The law also employs **Specificity** by listing particular types of valuable livestock (ass, ox, sheep), which serves to illustrate the broader category of "any beast" and emphasizes the economic value at stake. There is an implicit **Contrast** between situations where witnesses are present (allowing for human testimony and direct judgment) and the unique scenario presented here, where the absence of witnesses necessitates a different, divinely attested, legal procedure. This highlights the comprehensive nature of God's law, providing guidance even in ambiguous circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 22:10, though a civil statute, is deeply rooted in theological principles. It underscores God's concern for justice, truth, and the integrity of human relationships within the covenant community. The law implicitly teaches the principle of **stewardship**, reminding individuals that they are accountable for what is entrusted to their care, whether it be property, resources, or even relationships. When human testimony is absent ("no man seeing [it]"), the law appeals to God's omniscience and omnipotence as the ultimate witness and judge. This elevates the concept of truthfulness, demanding integrity even when no human eye is present, because God always sees. The requirement of an oath before the Lord (Exodus 22:11) transforms a civil dispute into a matter of divine accountability, reinforcing the idea that all dealings among people are ultimately conducted before God. This promotes a society built on trust, honesty, and a profound awareness of divine oversight.

* [Proverbs 11:3](/proverbs/11-3 "Proverbs 11:3 - Integrity and Guidance")
* [Leviticus 6:1-7](/leviticus/6-1 "Leviticus 6:1-7 - Laws for Restitution and Guilt Offerings")
* [Deuteronomy 25:13-16](/deuteronomy/25-13 "Deuteronomy 25:13-16 - Honest Weights and Measures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient law in Exodus 22:10, though dealing with livestock in an agrarian society, offers profound and timeless principles for contemporary life. It challenges us to consider our personal responsibility and integrity, especially in situations where our actions are not subject to human scrutiny. We are constantly entrusted with various "properties"—whether they are financial resources, borrowed items, professional responsibilities, or even the trust placed in us by friends and family. This verse calls us to a high standard of stewardship, reminding us that true accountability extends beyond what is seen by others. It compels us to act with diligence and honesty, even when "no man seeing [it]," because our ultimate accountability is to God, who sees all things. This principle fosters a deep sense of moral integrity, encouraging us to cultivate trustworthiness in all our dealings and to honor the trust others place in us, recognizing that our actions reflect not only on ourselves but on the broader community of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this ancient law challenge our modern understanding of personal responsibility, especially when no one is watching?**
* **In what areas of your life are you entrusted with the "property" (resources, relationships, responsibilities) of others? How faithfully are you "keeping" them"?**
* **What role does integrity play in situations where there are no human witnesses, and how does the awareness of God's omnipresence impact your actions?**

### FAQ
**What is "bailment" in the context of this verse?**

Answer: In the context of Exodus 22:10, "bailment" refers to the act of an owner (the bailor) entrusting their property, in this case, livestock, to another person (the bailee) for temporary safekeeping. This particular verse describes a gratuitous bailment, meaning the bailee is not compensated for their care of the animal. The law then outlines the bailee's responsibility for the well-being of the animal and the legal procedures to follow if the animal is harmed or lost while in their care, especially when there are no witnesses to the event, as further detailed in [Exodus 22:11](/exodus/22-11 "Exodus 22:11 - The Oath Before the Lord").

**Why is "no man seeing [it]" so significant?**

Answer: The phrase "no man seeing [it]" is profoundly significant because it defines the specific legal and theological challenge this law addresses. In ancient legal systems, human witnesses were crucial for establishing facts and guilt. When no human eye observed the incident (the animal's death, injury, or disappearance), it became impossible to determine whether the bailee was negligent, whether it was an unavoidable accident, or if a third party was responsible. This lack of human evidence shifts the burden of proof from human testimony to a divine oath, as specified in [Exodus 22:11](/exodus/22-11 "Exodus 22:11 - The Oath Before the Lord"). It highlights God's role as the ultimate witness and judge, ensuring that justice can still be sought even when human evidence is absent, thereby reinforcing the importance of integrity before God.

**Does this law apply to modern situations beyond livestock?**

Answer: While the specific context of Exodus 22:10 is ancient agrarian society and livestock, the underlying principles are highly applicable to modern situations. The core themes of stewardship, personal responsibility, integrity, and accountability for entrusted property or duties are universal. Whether it's borrowing a car, managing company funds, caring for a pet, or fulfilling a promise, the principle remains: we are called to be diligent and honest in managing what is placed in our care, especially when our actions are not directly observed by others. The law reminds us that our ultimate accountability is to God, who sees all, fostering a deep sense of moral integrity in all aspects of life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 22:10, with its emphasis on accountability, integrity, and the divine witness in the absence of human testimony, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The law highlights the need for perfect truthfulness and justice, qualities that humanity, in its fallen state, consistently fails to uphold, especially "when no man seeing [it]." Jesus, however, perfectly embodied these principles. He lived a life of absolute integrity, always doing the will of the Father, even in the most hidden moments, for He knew that [His Father always saw Him](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - The Father is with Me"). He is the ultimate "keeper" of His own, declaring that [He gives eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of His hand](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Eternal Life in Christ"). Furthermore, Christ is the ultimate judge and witness, before whom all hidden things will be brought to light. 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"), bearing the judgment for our failures in stewardship and integrity. Through His sacrifice, He provides the means for us to be reconciled to God, enabling us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live lives of integrity that honor God, who [sees in secret](/matthew/6-4 "Matthew 6:4 - Your Father Who Sees in Secret"). The law's call for an oath before the Lord in unseen circumstances points forward to the reality that all our lives are lived before the [eyes of Him to whom we must give account](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Open Before God"), and Christ is the one who will ultimately render that judgment.

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.