Exodus 22:15

KJV

[But] if the owner thereof [be] with it, he shall not make [it] good: if it [be] an hired [thing], it came for his hire.

KJV (with Strong's)

But if the owner {H1167} thereof be with it, he shall not make it good {H7999}: if it be an hired {H7916} thing, it came {H935} for his hire {H7939}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If the owner was present, he need not make good the loss. If the owner hired it out, the loss is covered by the hiring fee.

Berean Standard Bible

If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss.

American Standard Version

If the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be a hired thing, it came for its hire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 22:15 concludes a series of Mosaic Law regulations concerning borrowed and entrusted property, establishing two critical exceptions to the general rule of restitution for loss or damage. This verse stipulates that if the owner of the property was present during the incident, or if the item was a hired possession whose rental fee inherently covered the risk of its use, then the individual entrusted with the property is absolved from making further restitution. It profoundly illustrates principles of shared responsibility, contractual understanding, and equitable justice foundational to ancient Israelite civil law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22-23:33), a divinely revealed legal code delivered by God to Moses immediately following the Ten Commandments. Specifically, Exodus 22:10-15 forms a coherent legal unit addressing the liability for animals entrusted to another's care. The preceding verses lay the groundwork: if an entrusted animal dies or is injured by natural causes or wild beasts, an oath before the Lord can clear the keeper's liability, provided there is no evidence of negligence ([Exodus 22:10-11](/exodus/22-10-11 "Exodus 22:10-11 - Liability for Entrusted Animals")). However, if the animal was stolen while in the keeper's care, restitution was mandated ([Exodus 22:12](/exodus/22-12 "Exodus 22:12 - Stolen Entrusted Animals")). Furthermore, a borrowed animal injured or killed in the owner's absence generally required full restitution from the borrower ([Exodus 22:14](/exodus/22-14 "Exodus 22:14 - Liability for Borrowed Animals")). Verse 15 then introduces crucial exceptions to this liability, providing nuanced distinctions that underscore the meticulous and just nature of the Law in assessing varying degrees of responsibility and the implications of contractual agreements.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The legal provisions in Exodus 22 are deeply rooted in the agrarian and pastoral realities of ancient Israel. Livestock, tools, and other movable property were essential for survival and economic activity, making clear regulations for their lending, borrowing, and hiring indispensable for societal order and dispute resolution. While similar legal frameworks existed in other ancient Near Eastern codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi, the Mosaic Law distinguishes itself through its explicit theological underpinnings, emphasizing justice, equity, and communal welfare as expressions of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. The concept of "hire" (שָׂכִיר, *sākhîr*) denotes a formal agreement where a fee is paid for the temporary use of an item. This fee was understood to encompass certain inherent risks of wear, tear, or even accidental loss during the agreed-upon period. The owner's presence, as described in the first clause, implies a situation where the owner retains a degree of oversight or implicitly accepts shared risk, thereby mitigating the borrower's sole responsibility for unforeseen incidents. These regulations reveal the practical wisdom embedded in the Law for fostering stable and just interpersonal and economic relationships within the Israelite community.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 22:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of the Covenant and the Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Equity**, demonstrating God's meticulous concern for fair dealings among His people, ensuring that neither party in an agreement is unduly burdened or exploited. The specific conditions for exemption from liability underscore the theme of **Responsibility and Accountability**, yet with a nuanced understanding that acknowledges shared risk and the implications of contractual agreements. The distinction between borrowed and hired items also speaks to the theme of **Covenantal Ethics in Daily Life**, illustrating how the broader principles of the covenant with God were to be practically applied to mundane economic transactions, fostering a society marked by integrity and trust. This verse, therefore, is not merely a legal technicality but a practical outworking of God's character and His desire for a just community, reflecting the broader call to holiness and righteousness found throughout the Law of Moses, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 16:18-20](/deuteronomy/16-18-20 "Deuteronomy 16:18-20 - Justice and Righteousness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Owner (Hebrew, _baʻal'_):** From H1167, this term denotes a master, husband, or owner. In this context, it refers to the proprietor of the borrowed or hired property. The presence of the *baʻal* fundamentally alters the liability of the borrower, indicating that the owner's direct involvement or oversight mitigates the borrower's sole responsibility for any loss or damage.
* **Hired (Hebrew, _sâkîyr'_):** From H7916, this word describes a man or thing at wages, or something hired. When an item is *sâkîyr*, it means a formal agreement has been made where a fee is paid for its temporary use. This payment is crucial, as it implies a transfer of certain risks from the hirer back to the owner, covered by the agreed-upon compensation.
* **Hire (Hebrew, _sâkâr'_):** From H7939, this refers to the payment of a contract, salary, fare, or compensation. In the phrase "it came for his hire," *sâkâr* signifies that the loss or damage incurred by the hired item is considered to be part of the inherent risk already compensated by the rental fee. The payment itself is deemed to cover the normal wear, tear, or accidental incidents that might occur during the legitimate use of the item, thereby absolving the hirer of further liability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good":** This clause addresses the first exception to the general rule of restitution for borrowed property. If the owner of the borrowed item (e.g., an animal) is present with the borrower when the damage or loss occurs, the borrower is absolved of the responsibility to make restitution. The owner's presence implies shared oversight, an implicit acceptance of the risk, or the opportunity for the owner to intervene and prevent the loss. This changes the dynamic of sole responsibility, distributing the risk.
* **"if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire":** This second clause presents another distinct exception. If the item in question was not merely borrowed but hired (i.e., rented for a fee), and it is subsequently damaged or lost, the hirer is not required to make restitution. The rationale is that the payment received by the owner for the hire is understood to cover the inherent risks associated with the item's normal use. The "hire" itself serves as compensation for the potential wear, tear, or accidental loss that might occur during the rental period, effectively transferring the risk back to the owner who profited from the transaction.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 22:15 is a prime example of **Casuistic Law**, a prevalent legal form in the ancient Near East, structured with "if... then..." clauses that outline specific scenarios and their corresponding legal outcomes. This precise formulation allows for clear, case-by-case judgments. The verse also demonstrates remarkable **Legal Precision**, distinguishing meticulously between different types of property arrangements (borrowed vs. hired) and varying degrees of liability based on contextual factors (e.g., the owner's presence). This precision reflects a sophisticated legal system designed to ensure **Equity** and **Fairness** in interpersonal dealings, preventing undue burdens and promoting clarity of responsibilities. The idiomatic phrase "it came for his hire" functions as a **Legal Idiom**, succinctly encapsulating a complex legal principle regarding assumed risk within a contractual agreement, where the initial payment covers potential losses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 22:15, like the broader "Book of the Covenant," profoundly reveals God's character as a God of justice, order, and equity, concerned with the practical outworking of covenantal living within the community. It underscores the divine expectation for fair dealings, clear agreements, and a nuanced understanding of responsibility. These laws move beyond simplistic retribution, demanding careful consideration of the full context of a situation, including shared risk and agreed-upon compensation. While specific to an ancient agrarian society, they reflect timeless principles of integrity, contractual ethics, and the vital importance of defining terms in any agreement. They teach that true justice involves a meticulous consideration of all circumstances, fostering a society built on trust and accountability, where the vulnerable are protected and the innocent are not unjustly burdened. This divine concern for justice is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct in all spheres of life.

* [Leviticus 6:1-7](/leviticus/6-1-7 "Laws Concerning Guilt Offerings and Restitution")
* [Deuteronomy 23:19-20](/deuteronomy/23-19-20 "Laws Concerning Usury")
* [Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Honest Weights and Measures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific scenarios of livestock and hired tools may seem distant from our contemporary lives, the underlying principles of Exodus 22:15 remain profoundly relevant. This verse challenges us to embrace the importance of clear communication, defined expectations, and explicit agreements in all our dealings—whether lending a car, renting equipment, or entering into a business contract. It compels us to discern when responsibility for loss or damage truly lies with us, and when it is legitimately mitigated by shared circumstances or prior contractual understanding. As followers of Christ, we are called to act with integrity, not seeking to exploit legalistic loopholes, but to uphold fairness and honor our word. Conversely, this passage also encourages us to extend grace and understanding when others are not solely at fault, recognizing that life involves inherent risks and that not every misfortune demands full restitution. This passage cultivates a practical wisdom that balances personal accountability with a compassionate understanding of shared human experience and the complexities of real-world interactions, fostering a community marked by both justice and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do the principles of shared risk and contractual understanding in this verse apply to modern agreements or relationships, both personal and professional?**
* **In what ways can we ensure greater clarity and fairness in our own lending, borrowing, or hiring practices today, reflecting God's concern for justice?**
* **How does this verse challenge our tendency to assign blame, encouraging instead a nuanced understanding of responsibility and circumstance in our interactions with others?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary difference between "borrowed" and "hired" items in the Mosaic Law, as seen in Exodus 22:14-15?**

Answer: The primary difference lies in the presence or absence of financial compensation and the associated allocation of liability. For a "borrowed" item (Exodus 22:14), the owner receives no payment for its use, and thus, if the item is injured or dies in the owner's absence, the borrower is generally required to make full restitution. The risk remains largely with the borrower. However, for a "hired" item (Exodus 22:15), the owner receives a fee for its use. This fee is understood to cover the inherent risks of the item's normal operation, meaning if it is damaged or lost during its intended use, the hirer is not required to make additional restitution. The payment effectively transfers some of the risk back to the owner. This distinction highlights the Law's practical understanding of contractual agreements and the role of compensation in risk allocation.

**Why would the owner's presence absolve the borrower of responsibility?**

Answer: The presence of the owner during the incident that leads to loss or damage (Exodus 22:15) implies a shared oversight or an implicit acceptance of the risk. If the owner is there, they presumably have the opportunity to intervene, prevent the loss, or at least share in the responsibility for what transpires. Their presence suggests that the borrower is no longer the sole custodian or entirely responsible for the item's safety. It could also mean that the owner implicitly accepted the risk by being present and not taking preventative measures, thus mitigating the borrower's sole liability. This clause reflects a nuanced approach to culpability, recognizing that responsibility is not always absolute but can be influenced by the involvement and awareness of all parties, fostering a more equitable outcome.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 22:15, with its intricate details about liability, restitution, and shared risk in the context of property, points to the profound theological reality of Christ's fulfillment of the Law. The Mosaic Law, in its demand for perfect justice and restitution for every transgression, ultimately reveals humanity's inability to perfectly uphold its standards, perpetually incurring spiritual debt. The principle that a "hired thing" came for its "hire" and thus absolves the user of further debt beautifully foreshadows Christ's ultimate redemptive work. He is the Lamb of God, whose life was "hired" out, as it were, to the demands of divine justice, and whose death on the cross was the perfect and complete "hire" or payment for our sin ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus fully paid the debt we owed, covering the "risk" of our transgressions and absolving us from the impossible task of making restitution for our own spiritual losses ([Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23-26 "Romans 3:23-26 - Justification by Faith")). Just as the rental fee covered the potential damage to the hired item, Christ's precious blood covers the full extent of our sin, making us righteous in God's sight and freeing us from the condemnation of the Law ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). He is our ultimate "Owner," who was "with us" in our fallen state, entering into our humanity not to condemn, but to bear our burdens and secure our redemption, thereby fulfilling all the righteous demands of the Law on our behalf ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). In Him, the ultimate "hire" has been paid, and we are declared good, not by our own efforts, but by His perfect, substitutionary work.

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.

Cross-References

Zechariah 8:10

For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither [was there any] peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.