Exodus 22:11
New International Version
the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the LORD that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person’s property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required.

New Living Translation
The neighbor must then take an oath in the presence of the LORD. If the LORD confirms that the neighbor did not steal the property, the owner must accept the verdict, and no payment will be required.

English Standard Version
an oath by the LORD shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution.

Berean Standard Bible
an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution.

King James Bible
Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

New King James Version
then an oath of the LORD shall be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbor’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept that, and he shall not make it good.

New American Standard Bible
an oath before the LORD shall be taken by the two of them that he has not laid a hand on his neighbor’s property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not be compelled to make restitution.

NASB 1995
an oath before the LORD shall be made by the two of them that he has not laid hands on his neighbor’s property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

NASB 1977
an oath before the LORD shall be made by the two of them, that he has not laid hands on his neighbor’s property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

Legacy Standard Bible
then an oath before Yahweh shall be made by the two of them that he has not laid hands on his neighbor’s property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

Amplified Bible
then an oath before the LORD shall be made by the two of them that he has not taken his neighbor’s property; and the owner of it shall accept his word and not require him to make restitution.

Christian Standard Bible
there must be an oath before the LORD between the two of them to determine whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property. Its owner must accept the oath, and the other man does not have to make restitution.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
there must be an oath before the LORD between the two of them to determine whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property. Its owner must accept the oath, and the other man does not have to make restitution.

American Standard Version
the oath of Jehovah shall be between them both, whether he hath not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods; and the owner thereof shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

Contemporary English Version
If you swear with me as your witness that you did not harm the animal, you do not have to replace it. Your word is enough.

English Revised Version
the oath of the LORD shall be between them both, whether he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner thereof shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The case between them must be settled by swearing an oath to the LORD that the neighbor did not take the other person's animal. The owner must accept the oath. The neighbor doesn't have to make up for the loss.

Good News Translation
the man must go to the place of worship and take an oath that he has not stolen the other man's animal. If the animal was not stolen, the owner shall accept the loss, and the other man need not repay him;

International Standard Version
the two of them are to take an oath in the LORD's presence that the accused has not taken his neighbor's property. Its owner is to accept this, and the neighbor is not to make restitution.

Majority Standard Bible
an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution.

NET Bible
then there will be an oath to the LORD between the two of them, that he has not laid his hand on his neighbor's goods, and its owner will accept this, and he will not have to pay.

New Heart English Bible
the oath of God shall be between them both, whether he hasn't put his hand to his neighbor's goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand to his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept of it, and he shall not make restitution.

World English Bible
the oath of Yahweh shall be between them both, he has not put his hand on his neighbor’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
an oath of YHWH is between them both, that he has not put forth his hand against the work of his neighbor, and its owner has accepted, and he does not repay;

Young's Literal Translation
an oath of Jehovah is between them both, that he hath not put forth his hand against the work of his neighbour, and its owner hath accepted, and he doth not repay;

Smith's Literal Translation
An oath of Jehovah shall be between them both if he put not forth his hand to his friend's goods; and its lord shall take and he shall not recompense.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
There shall be an oath between them, that he did not put forth his hand to his neighbour's goods: and the owner shall accept of the oath; and he shall not be compelled to make restitution.

Catholic Public Domain Version
then there shall be an oath between them, that he did not lay his hand on the goods of his neighbor. And the owner shall accept the oath, and he will not be compelled to make restitution.

New American Bible
there shall be an oath before the LORD between the two of them that the guardian did not lay hands on his neighbor’s property; the owner must accept the oath, and no restitution is to be made.

New Revised Standard Version
an oath before the LORD shall decide between the two of them that the one has not laid hands on the property of the other; the owner shall accept the oath, and no restitution shall be made.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then there shall be an oath of the LORD between them both, that he had no hand in the theft of his neighbor's property; and the owner of it shall accept the oaths and he shall not make restitution.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
An oath of LORD JEHOVAH will be between both: “Surely he did not stretch his hand into the property of his neighbor” and their owner would take the oaths and will not restore
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
the oath of the LORD shall be between them both, to see whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner thereof shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
an oath of God shall be between both, each swearing that he has surely not at all been guilty in the matter of his neighbour's deposit; and so his master shall hold him guiltless, and he shall not make compensation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Property Laws
10If 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, 11an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution. 12But if the animal was actually stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner.…

Cross References
Numbers 5:19-22
And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this bitter water that brings a curse. / But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority and have defiled yourself and lain carnally with a man other than your husband’— / and the priest shall have the woman swear under the oath of the curse—‘then may the LORD make you an attested curse among your people by making your thigh shrivel and your belly swell. ...

Deuteronomy 19:15
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Leviticus 6:3-5
or finds lost property and lies about it and swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that a man might commit— / once he has sinned and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, / or anything else about which he has sworn falsely. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value, and pay it to the owner on the day he acknowledges his guilt.

Hebrews 6:16
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.

Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

1 Kings 8:31-32
When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple, / then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

2 Corinthians 1:23
I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.

Genesis 31:39
I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night.

1 Samuel 12:3-5
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.” / “You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.” / Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied.

2 Corinthians 11:31
The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying.

Galatians 1:20
I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.

1 Timothy 5:19
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Acts 5:3-4
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? / Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”

1 Corinthians 4:4
My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.

James 5:12
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.


Treasury of Scripture

Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he has not put his hand to his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

an oath of the Lord

Leviticus 5:1
And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 6:3
Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:

1 Kings 2:42,43
And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good…

that he hath not

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.

Exodus 23:1
Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Jump to Previous
Accept Accepted Forth Good Goods Hand Hands Hasn't Issue Laid Neighbor Neighbor's Neighbour Neighbour's Oath Owner Payment Person's Required Restitution Settled Thereof Whether Word Work
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Accept Accepted Forth Good Goods Hand Hands Hasn't Issue Laid Neighbor Neighbor's Neighbour Neighbour's Oath Owner Payment Person's Required Restitution Settled Thereof Whether Word Work
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














an oath before the LORD
The phrase "an oath before the LORD" signifies a solemn promise or declaration made in the presence of God. In the Hebrew context, the word for "oath" is "שְׁבוּעָה" (shevu'ah), which carries a deep sense of binding commitment. This reflects the ancient Israelite understanding that God is the ultimate witness to all agreements and disputes. The invocation of God's name in an oath underscores the seriousness and sacredness of the act, reminding the parties involved that they are accountable to a higher authority. This practice is rooted in the belief that God is just and omniscient, and thus, He will ensure that truth prevails.

shall be made between the parties
This phrase indicates that the oath is a mutual agreement between the involved parties. In the ancient Near Eastern legal context, disputes were often resolved through such oaths, which served as a means of establishing trust and truthfulness. The Hebrew culture placed a high value on community and relationships, and resolving disputes amicably was crucial for maintaining social harmony. The involvement of both parties in the oath-taking process emphasizes the importance of mutual consent and responsibility in legal matters.

to determine whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property
The purpose of the oath is to ascertain the truth regarding the alleged taking of property. This reflects the biblical principle of justice and fairness, where accusations must be substantiated by evidence or testimony. The phrase highlights the importance of protecting one's neighbor's property rights, a theme that is consistent throughout the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew word for "property" here is "כְּלִי" (keli), which can refer to any kind of possession or goods. This underscores the comprehensive nature of the law in safeguarding personal belongings.

The owner must accept the oath
This directive places a responsibility on the property owner to accept the outcome of the oath. It implies a trust in the process and in God's justice. The acceptance of the oath by the owner is an acknowledgment of the divine oversight in human affairs. It also reflects a willingness to submit to God's will, trusting that He will vindicate the truth. This acceptance is crucial for maintaining peace and order within the community.

and require no restitution
The phrase "require no restitution" indicates that if the oath is taken and accepted, the accused party is not obligated to make any compensation. This provision highlights the importance of trust and integrity in the community. It also serves as a deterrent against false accusations, as the accuser must be willing to accept the outcome of the oath without further demands. The concept of restitution is a significant aspect of biblical justice, but in this case, the oath serves as a sufficient resolution, emphasizing the power of one's word and the fear of God in ensuring honesty.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
an oath
שְׁבֻעַ֣ת (šə·ḇu·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7621: Something sworn, an oath

before the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

shall be made
תִּהְיֶה֙ (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

between
בֵּ֣ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the parties
שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם (šə·nê·hem)
Number - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

to determine whether
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

or not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

the man has taken
שָׁלַ֛ח (šā·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

his neighbor’s
רֵעֵ֑הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

property.
בִּמְלֶ֣אכֶת (bim·le·ḵeṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

The owner
בְּעָלָ֖יו (bə·‘ā·lāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

must accept [the oath]
וְלָקַ֥ח (wə·lā·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

and require no
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

restitution.
יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ (yə·šal·lêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate


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OT Law: Exodus 22:11 The oath of Yahweh shall be between (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 22:10
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