Exodus 22:8

If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, [to see] whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.

If the thief {H1590} be not {H3808} found {H4672}, then the master {H1167} of the house {H1004} shall be brought {H7126} unto the judges {H430}, to see whether he have put {H7971} his hand {H3027} unto his neighbour's {H7453} goods {H4399}.

But if the thief is not found, then the trustee must state before God that he did not take the person's goods himself.

If the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges to determine whether he has taken his neighbor’s property.

If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall come near unto God, to see whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbor’s goods.

Commentary

Exodus 22:8 is part of the extensive civil and criminal laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai, specifically addressing situations involving stolen property and the responsibility of those entrusted with goods.

Context

This verse is found within a section of the Mosaic Law (Exodus 21-23) that details various statutes concerning justice, property rights, and social order in ancient Israel. Following rules about theft and restitution, Exodus 22:8 focuses on a specific scenario: when a thief is not found, but property was stolen from a custodian or "master of the house" who was guarding it. The law seeks to determine the custodian's culpability or negligence.

Key Themes

  • Accountability and Responsibility: The verse highlights the significant responsibility that comes with being entrusted with another's property. If a theft occurred and the actual thief remained elusive, the custodian was held accountable to ensure due diligence was exercised.
  • Pursuit of Justice: Even in the absence of the primary perpetrator, the legal system of ancient Israel sought to ascertain truth and administer justice. The process involved bringing the custodian before judges to determine if they were involved in the theft or if their negligence contributed to it. This reflects a deep concern for fairness and the protection of property rights.
  • Sanctity of Property: The detailed laws regarding theft and restitution in Exodus underscore the value placed on private property within God's covenant community. These statutes aimed to deter crime and ensure that victims of theft had a path to recourse and compensation, reinforcing the principle of "Thou shalt not steal."

Linguistic Insights

The term "judges" in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word elohim, which literally means "God" or "gods." In this legal context, it refers to human judges who were seen as acting on behalf of God or as representatives of divine authority in administering justice. The phrase "to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods" implies a legal process that often involved an oath. If no direct evidence implicated the custodian, they might be required to take an oath before God, swearing their innocence. Such an oath was a very serious matter in ancient Israel, invoking divine judgment upon false swearing, as further clarified in related laws concerning entrusted goods in Exodus 22:11.

Practical Application

While the specific legal mechanisms of ancient Israel differ from modern systems, the principles embedded in Exodus 22:8 remain timeless:

  • Stewardship and Trust: The verse reminds us of the accountability we bear when entrusted with the possessions or responsibilities of others. Whether in business, personal relationships, or ministry, diligence and faithfulness are expected.
  • Importance of Integrity: It underscores the value of integrity and honesty. The legal process described aimed to uncover truth, and the solemnity of an oath before God emphasized the ultimate standard of truthfulness.
  • Seeking Justice and Truth: We are called to uphold justice and seek truth, even in complex or ambiguous situations. This reflects God's own character as a righteous and just judge (Deuteronomy 32:4).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 22:28

    Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

  • Deuteronomy 16:18

    ¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

  • Exodus 21:6

    Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

  • Psalms 82:1

    ¶ A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

  • 1 Chronicles 23:4

    Of which, twenty and four thousand [were] to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand [were] officers and judges:

  • Deuteronomy 19:17

    Then both the men, between whom the controversy [is], shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

  • Deuteronomy 19:18

    And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, [if] the witness [be] a false witness, [and] hath testified falsely against his brother;
← Back