Exodus 22:1
New International Version
“Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

New Living Translation
“If someone steals an ox or sheep and then kills or sells it, the thief must pay back five oxen for each ox stolen, and four sheep for each sheep stolen.

English Standard Version
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.

New American Standard Bible
“If someone steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep—

NASB 1995
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

NASB 1977
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

Legacy Standard Bible
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

Amplified Bible
“If a man steals an ox or sheep and kills or sells it, he shall make restitution of five oxen for an ox or four sheep for a sheep.

Christian Standard Bible
“When a man steals an ox or a sheep and butchers it or sells it, he must repay five cattle for the ox or four sheep for the sheep.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When a man steals an ox or a sheep and butchers it or sells it, he must repay five cattle for the ox or four sheep for the 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.

Contemporary English Version
If you steal an ox and slaughter or sell it, you must replace it with five oxen; if you steal a sheep and slaughter it or sell it, you must replace it with four sheep.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[The LORD continued,] "Whenever someone steals a bull or a sheep and butchers it or sells it, he must make up for the loss with five head of cattle to replace the bull or four sheep to replace the sheep.

Good News Translation
"If someone steals a cow or a sheep and kills it or sells it, he must pay five cows for one cow and four sheep for one sheep.

International Standard Version
"If a man steals an ox or sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he is to repay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
"If a man steals an ox or a sheep and kills it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox, and four sheep for the one sheep.

New Heart English Bible
"If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it, or sells it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When a man steals an ox or sheep, and has slaughtered it or sold it, he repays [with] five of the herd for the ox, and four of the flock for the sheep.

Young's Literal Translation
'When a man doth steal an ox or sheep, and hath slaughtered it or sold it, five of the herd he doth repay for the ox, and four of the flock for the sheep.

Smith's Literal Translation
If a man shall steal an ox or a sheep, and slaughter it or sell it, he shall recompense five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If any man steal an ox or a sheep, and kill or sell it: he shall restore five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“If anyone will have stolen an ox or a sheep, and if he kills it or sells it, then he will restore five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep.

New American Bible
When someone steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for the one ox, and four sheep for the one sheep.

New Revised Standard Version
When someone steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, the thief shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. The thief shall make restitution, but if unable to do so, shall be sold for the theft.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
IF a man shall steal an ox or a ewe, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four ewes for a ewe.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when a man will steal an ox or a ewe and he will kill them or he will sell them, he will give five oxen in exchange for an ox and four ewes he will give in exchange for a ewe.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If a man 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if one steal an ox or a sheep, and kill it or sell it, he shall pay five calves for a calf, and four sheep for a sheep.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Property Laws
1“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. 2If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.…

Cross References
Leviticus 6:1-5
And the LORD said to Moses, / “If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him or stolen, or if he extorts his neighbor / or finds lost property and lies about it and swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that a man might commit— ...

Numbers 5:6-7
“Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty / and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged.

2 Samuel 12:6
Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.”

Proverbs 6:30-31
Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. / Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.

Luke 19:8
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”

Matthew 5:25-26
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. / Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Ezekiel 33:15
if he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—then he will surely live; he will not die.

1 Samuel 12:3
Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”

2 Kings 4:7
She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder.”

Job 20:18
He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he cannot enjoy the profits of his trading.

Isaiah 61:8
For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Amos 3:10
“For they know not how to do right,” declares the LORD. “They store up violence and destruction in their citadels.”

Romans 13:8-10
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 Corinthians 6:7-8
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? / Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers!

Colossians 3:25
Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

sheep.

Leviticus 6:1-6
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, …

Numbers 5:7
Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.

2 Samuel 12:6
And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

five oxen

Proverbs 14:4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Jump to Previous
Cattle Death Exchanged Five Four Gets Head Kill Kills Money Ox Oxen Pay Payment Price Puts Restitution Restore Right Sell Sells Sheep Slaughters Sold Steal Steals Theft
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Cattle Death Exchanged Five Four Gets Head Kill Kills Money Ox Oxen Pay Payment Price Puts Restitution Restore Right Sell Sells Sheep Slaughters Sold Steal Steals Theft
Exodus 22
1. Of Theft
5. Of damage
7. Of trespasses
14. Of borrowing
16. Of fornication
18. Of witchcraft
19. Of bestiality
20. Of idolatry
21. Of strangers, widows, and fatherless
25. Of usury
26. Of pledges
28. Of reverence to magistrates
29. Of the first fruits
31. Of torn flesh














If a man steals an ox or a sheep
This phrase addresses the act of theft, specifically of livestock, which was a valuable asset in ancient agrarian societies. Oxen and sheep were essential for agriculture and livelihood, serving as sources of labor, food, and clothing. The commandment against stealing is rooted in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:15), emphasizing the importance of respecting others' property. The focus on oxen and sheep highlights the economic impact of such theft in a community where livestock was a primary measure of wealth.

and slaughters or sells it
The act of slaughtering or selling the stolen animal indicates a finality in the theft, as the original owner cannot recover the animal. This reflects a deeper level of wrongdoing, as the thief not only takes the property but also seeks to profit from it. The distinction between slaughtering and selling suggests different motivations and consequences, both of which are addressed by the law. This aspect of the law underscores the seriousness of the crime and the need for restitution.

he must repay five oxen for an ox
The requirement to repay five oxen for a stolen ox serves as a deterrent against theft and ensures justice for the victim. The fivefold restitution is significant, as it exceeds the value of the stolen property, reflecting the principle of retributive justice. This principle is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as in Proverbs 6:31, where a thief must repay sevenfold. The higher restitution for an ox, compared to a sheep, acknowledges the greater economic value and utility of oxen in agricultural work.

and four sheep for a sheep
The fourfold restitution for a stolen sheep, while less than that for an ox, still represents a substantial penalty. This reflects the value of sheep in providing wool, meat, and milk. The differentiation in restitution amounts between oxen and sheep indicates a nuanced understanding of economic impact and the need for proportional justice. This principle of restitution is echoed in the New Testament, where Zacchaeus, upon his conversion, promises to repay fourfold to those he has defrauded (Luke 19:8), demonstrating repentance and a commitment to justice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Exodus, who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai and communicated it to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The recipients of the Law, God's chosen people, who were being formed into a nation with a distinct legal and moral code.

3. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave the Law to Moses, including the commandments and ordinances found in Exodus.

4. Ox and Sheep
Livestock that were valuable assets in ancient Israelite society, representing wealth and livelihood.

5. Thief
The individual who unlawfully takes another's property, specifically livestock in this context.
Teaching Points
The Principle of Restitution
The law requires not just the return of stolen property but additional compensation, underscoring the seriousness of theft and the importance of justice.

Value of Livelihood
The specific mention of oxen and sheep highlights the importance of respecting others' means of livelihood and the broader implications of theft on community welfare.

Moral Responsibility
The law reflects a moral responsibility to make amends for wrongs committed, pointing to a heart of repentance and reconciliation.

Deterrence and Justice
The requirement for multiple-fold restitution serves as a deterrent against theft and upholds justice within the community.

Spiritual Integrity
Believers are called to live with integrity, respecting others' property and working honestly, reflecting God's character in their actions.XXII.

(1-4) Theft is here treated of with great brevity, only three kinds being distinguished--(1) Housebreaking; (2) stealing without conversion of the property; (3) stealing with conversion. The main principle of punishment laid down is the exaction from the offender o! Double (Exodus 22:4). When, however, there has been conversion of the property, the penalty is heavier, the return of four-fold in the case of a sheep, of five-fold in that of an ox (Exodus 22:1). Incidentally it is enacted that the burglar may be resisted by force (Exodus 22:2), and that to kill him shall be justifiable homicide; and further, it is laid down that a thief unable to make the legal restitution shall become a slave in order to pay his debt (Exodus 22:3).

(1) If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep.--The flocks and herds of the Israelites constituted their principal property, and hence cattle-stealing is taken as the representative of theft in general.

And kill it, or sell it.--Plainly showing persistence and determination. . . .

Verse 1. - If a man shall steal an ox. The principal property possessed by the Israelites in the wilderness was their cattle; whence this occurs to the legislator as the thing most likely to be stolen. It required more boldness in a thief to carry off an ox than a sheep or goat; and so the crime was visited with a heavier penalty.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a man
אִישׁ֙ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

steals
יִגְנֹֽב־ (yiḡ·nōḇ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive

an ox
שׁ֣וֹר (šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

or
אוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

a sheep
שֶׂ֔ה (śeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7716: A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat

and slaughters
וּטְבָח֖וֹ (ū·ṭə·ḇā·ḥōw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2873: To slaughter, butcher, slay

or
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

sells it,
מְכָר֑וֹ (mə·ḵā·rōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4376: To sell

he must repay
יְשַׁלֵּם֙ (yə·šal·lêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

five
חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה (ḥă·miš·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 2568: Five

oxen
בָקָ֗ר (ḇā·qār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

for
תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

an ox
הַשּׁ֔וֹר (haš·šō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

and four
וְאַרְבַּע־ (wə·’ar·ba‘-)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702: Four

sheep
הַשֶּֽׂה׃ (haś·śeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7716: A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat

for a sheep.
צֹ֖אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock


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OT Law: Exodus 22:1 If a man steals an ox (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 21:36
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