Exodus 22:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

If fire {H784} break out {H3318}, and catch {H4672} in thorns {H6975}, so that the stacks of corn {H1430}, or the standing corn {H7054}, or the field {H7704}, be consumed {H398} therewith; he that kindled {H1197} the fire {H1200} shall surely {H7999} make restitution {H7999}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 22:6 is a foundational civil law within the Mosaic covenant, addressing the critical issue of property damage caused by accidental fire in an agrarian society. This statute mandates that anyone whose negligence leads to a fire consuming another's agricultural produce—whether harvested stacks or standing crops—or entire fields, is legally obligated to provide full restitution. The verse underscores the divine emphasis on personal responsibility, the protection of private property, and the principle of restoring what was lost, ensuring justice and economic stability within the Israelite community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 22:6 is situated within the "Book of the Covenant," a collection of civil and moral statutes found in [Exodus 20:22-23:33](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments and Covenant Law"). Following the foundational Ten Commandments, this section elaborates on practical applications of God's righteous standards for daily life in ancient Israel. Specifically, this verse is part of a series of laws dealing with property damage and liability, immediately following the statute concerning damage caused by grazing animals ([Exodus 22:5](/exodus/22-5 "Exodus 22:5 - Law on Damage by Grazing Animals")). The progression from intentional harm (e.g., violence, theft) to accidental damage highlights the comprehensiveness of God's law, ensuring that even unintended actions resulting in loss are addressed with principles of justice and restoration. These laws collectively aim to foster a society marked by order, accountability, and the protection of individual livelihoods under God's covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was predominantly an agrarian society, where agricultural produce—referred to as "corn" (a general term for grain like wheat or barley, not maize)—formed the bedrock of its economy and sustenance. Fields, crops, and harvested grain were vital assets, representing a family's wealth, food supply, and future security. The dry climate of the Near East, coupled with the common practice of burning off thorns and stubble from fields to prepare for planting or to clear land, made accidental fires a perpetual and significant threat. A runaway fire could swiftly devastate a year's harvest or an entire field, leading to severe economic hardship or even famine for a family. Laws like [Exodus 22:6](/exodus/22-6 "Exodus 22:6 - Law on Accidental Fire Damage") were therefore not merely theoretical but profoundly practical, designed to mitigate such risks, ensure accountability for negligence, and provide a legal framework for victims to recover their losses, thereby preserving social cohesion and economic stability in a highly vulnerable agricultural setting.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **'akal (Hebrew, _'akal'_):** Translated as "consumed" in "the stacks of corn...be consumed." This Hebrew verb literally means "to eat" or "to devour." Its use here vividly portrays the destructive power of fire, emphasizing how it "eats up" or "gorges itself" on the crops and fields, leaving nothing behind. This imagery underscores the totality of the loss and the devastating impact on the victim's livelihood, highlighting the urgency and necessity of restitution.
* **shalam (Hebrew, _shalam'_):** Rendered as "make restitution." This verb is deeply significant, stemming from the root of _shalom_ (peace, completeness, wholeness). To "make restitution" (or _shalam_) implies far more than mere financial compensation; it means to restore something to its original state of completeness, soundness, or integrity. In this context, it signifies making the injured party whole again, restoring what was lost, and thereby bringing about a state of "peace" or reconciliation between the parties involved by rectifying the wrong and re-establishing equity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If fire break out, and catch in thorns":** This clause sets the scenario, indicating an accidental or negligent origin rather than intentional arson. "Break out" (יָצָא, _yatsa'_) suggests the fire escaping control, while "catch in thorns" (מָצָא קוֹצִים, _matsa' qotsim_) points to the common presence of dry, combustible material in fields, making accidental ignition a high risk. The emphasis is on the *causation* by the one who "kindled the fire," even if the subsequent spread was unintended.
* **"so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed [therewith]":** This specifies the scope and types of property damage. "Stacks of corn" refers to harvested grain, stored and ready for use, representing accumulated wealth. "Standing corn" denotes crops still in the field, representing future sustenance. "The field" itself implies damage to the land's productivity, perhaps requiring significant effort to restore. The use of "consumed" (אָכַל, _'akal_) powerfully conveys the total destruction, leaving the victim with nothing.
* **"he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.":** This is the legal verdict and core command. The one who initiated the fire, even if accidentally, is held strictly liable for the resulting damage. The phrase "shall surely make restitution" (שַׁלֵּם יְשַׁלֵּם, _shallēm yəshallēm_) uses an infinitive absolute construction, which intensifies the verb, emphasizing the absolute certainty and mandatory nature of the obligation. The goal is not merely punishment, but the full restoration of the victim's loss, reflecting God's commitment to justice and the well-being of all members of the community.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 22:6 primarily employs **Casuistic Law**, characterized by its "If...then..." structure ("If fire break out... he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution"). This legal form presents specific cases and their corresponding judgments, making the law clear and applicable to particular situations. The verse also utilizes vivid **Imagery**, particularly with the verb "consumed" (אָכַל, _'akal_), which literally means "to eat" or "to devour." This powerful anthropomorphic imagery personifies the fire, depicting it as a hungry entity that ravenously consumes the valuable crops and fields, thereby emphasizing the devastating nature of the loss. Furthermore, the intensified verb "shall surely make restitution" (שַׁלֵּם יְשַׁלֵּם) serves as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the absolute and non-negotiable nature of the responsibility to restore what was lost. The listing of "stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field" employs a form of **Merism** or **Synecdoche**, where specific parts are named to represent the totality of agricultural property, highlighting the comprehensive protection afforded to a farmer's livelihood.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 22:6 profoundly reveals God's character as a God of justice, order, and compassion, who meticulously legislates for the protection of His people's well-being and property. The law underscores the divine principle of personal responsibility, asserting that individuals are accountable for the foreseeable consequences of their actions, even when unintended. It champions the concept of restitution, prioritizing the restoration of the victim over mere punitive measures, reflecting God's desire for wholeness and reconciliation within the community. This commitment to equitable dealings and the safeguarding of livelihoods demonstrates God's care for the vulnerable and His establishment of a society built on fairness and mutual respect, where every person's economic security is valued.

* [Leviticus 6:4-5](/leviticus/6-4 "Leviticus 6:4-5 - Laws of Restitution")
* [Proverbs 27:12](/proverbs/27-12 "Proverbs 27:12 - Prudence and Foresight")
* [Matthew 7:12](/matthew/7-12 "Matthew 7:12 - The Golden Rule")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific scenario of accidental field fires may be less common in many modern contexts, the timeless principles embedded in Exodus 22:6 remain profoundly relevant for contemporary life. This ancient statute calls us to a deep sense of personal accountability, reminding us that we are responsible not only for our intentional actions but also for the unintended consequences of our negligence or carelessness. It challenges us to cultivate diligence, foresight, and a proactive posture in all areas of life—from managing our resources and property to our interactions with others—to prevent harm. Furthermore, the emphasis on "restitution" encourages us, when harm is caused, to actively seek to make amends, restore what was lost, and repair broken relationships. This principle extends beyond financial compensation to include apologies, acts of service, or genuine efforts to mend the damage, whether physical, emotional, or relational. It calls us to live as responsible members of a community, valuing the well-being and property of our neighbors as our own, reflecting the biblical call to love our neighbor as ourselves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this ancient law challenge our modern understanding of personal responsibility, especially for unintended consequences?**
* **In what ways can we "make restitution" in our contemporary lives, even when direct financial compensation isn't applicable?**
* **How does the principle of caring for a neighbor's property extend to our stewardship of shared resources and the environment?**

### FAQ
**Is this law about punishment or compensation?**

Answer: This law is primarily about compensation and restitution, not punishment. While there is a consequence for the negligent party, the core command is "he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution." The goal is to make the victim whole again by restoring what was lost, ensuring that the economic burden falls on the one whose action caused the damage, rather than on the innocent victim. This reflects a key principle of Old Testament law: restoring justice and equity.

**Does "corn" in this verse refer to maize (what we typically call corn today)?**

Answer: No, in the King James Version and other older translations of the Bible, "corn" is a general term referring to grain, such as wheat or barley. Maize, which originated in the Americas, was unknown in the ancient Near East during biblical times. Therefore, when Exodus 22:6 speaks of "stacks of corn, or the standing corn," it refers to the staple grains that were cultivated by the Israelites.

**What if the fire was started intentionally? Would the same law apply?**

Answer: No, Exodus 22:6 specifically addresses a fire that "break[s] out" due to negligence or accident. If a fire were started intentionally with malicious intent to destroy property, it would fall under different, more severe laws, likely treated as a form of theft or malicious destruction, which could carry harsher penalties. The Mosaic Law distinguished clearly between accidental harm and deliberate wrongdoing, with intentional acts often incurring more severe consequences, potentially even capital punishment in cases of extreme malice or harm to life (e.g., [Exodus 21:12](/exodus/21-12 "Exodus 21:12 - Law on Murder") for murder, or principles found in [Deuteronomy 19:16-21](/deuteronomy/19-16 "Deuteronomy 19:16-21 - Law on False Witness") concerning malicious intent).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 22:6, with its emphasis on responsibility and restitution for damage caused by negligence, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the law addresses material loss, Christ's mission is to make restitution for the greatest loss of all: humanity's separation from God due to sin. Our sin, often born of spiritual negligence or willful disobedience, has caused immense damage to creation and our relationship with the Creator. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, became the ultimate "restitution" for our transgressions, taking upon Himself the full consequence of our spiritual debt ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He fully restores what was lost, reconciling us to God and making us whole ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Furthermore, Christ's teachings consistently elevate the principle of loving one's neighbor ([Matthew 22:39](/matthew/22-39 "Matthew 22:39 - The Second Great Commandment")) and seeking reconciliation and making amends ([Matthew 5:23-24](/matthew/5-23 "Matthew 5:23-24 - Reconciliation Before Worship")), demonstrating that true spiritual health involves not only receiving God's restoration but also participating in the restoration of others. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody these principles of responsibility, care, and making things right, reflecting the restorative justice of our Savior in a world still marred by the "fires" of sin and negligence ([Ephesians 4:32](/ephesians/4-32 "Ephesians 4:32 - Be Kind and Forgiving")).

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.