Lexical Summary genebah: Theft, stealing Original Word: גְּנֵבָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance theft From ganab; stealing, i.e. (concretely) something stolen -- theft. see HEBREW ganab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ganab Definition a thing stolen NASB Translation theft (1), what he stole (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גְּנֵבָה noun feminine thing stolen (on formation compare BaNB 161, 166) — גְּנֵבָה Exodus 22:3 (an animal); בִּגְנֵבָתוֺ Exodus 22:2, ׳בְּ pret. compare Di. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope גְּנֵבָה (genevah) denotes an act or object of theft: the thing stolen, the state of being stolen, or the crime itself. While the root verb describes stealing, genevah focuses on the result—property now unlawfully possessed. Occurrences in the Hebrew Scriptures Exodus 22:3–4 provides the only two occurrences, embedding the word in Israel’s civil legislation. Both verses regulate restitution when stolen property is recovered or when the thief is caught. Legal Context in the Mosaic Covenant Within Exodus 22 the Lord establishes a tiered restitution system. If the stolen article (genevah) is found alive in the thief’s possession, “he must repay double” (Exodus 22:4). Should the thief be unable to pay, Exodus 22:3 permits servitude as compensation. These statutes elevate the sanctity of personal property while preserving both justice and mercy: repayment restores the victim, yet graciously allows the wrongdoer to satisfy the law without capital punishment. Unlike surrounding Near-Eastern codes that often demanded death, the Torah’s approach affirms human dignity even in criminal contexts. Moral Theology of Theft Genevah stands beneath the broader command, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15) and is echoed in Leviticus 19:11: “You must not steal; you must not lie.” Theft is never treated as a merely social inconvenience; it is a breach of covenant faithfulness and an affront to the divine Giver of every good gift (Psalm 24:1). Proverbs 10:2 warns that “ill-gotten treasures profit nothing,” showing that stolen goods ultimately harm their possessor. Restitution and Redemption Restitution is more than legal reparation; it foreshadows redemption. Zacchaeus, standing before Jesus, declares, “If I have cheated anyone, I will repay four times the amount” (Luke 19:8), consciously mirroring Exodus restitution. The New Testament underscores inner transformation over mere external compliance: “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share” (Ephesians 4:28). Grace not only forbids genevah but redirects former thieves into generous stewards. Historical Background Ancient law codes such as Hammurabi’s often prescribed execution or mutilation for theft. Israel’s comparatively moderate penalties—monetary repayment multiplied—reflect a theologically grounded justice system. Property is protected, yet human life remains paramount. Stewardship and Social Justice Genevah has implications for economic ethics: dishonest weights (Deuteronomy 25:13–15), withholding wages (Jeremiah 22:13), and land seizure (Micah 2:1–2) extend the concept beyond overt burglary. Scripture ties theft to broader injustice, calling God’s people to uphold equity in commerce, labor, and inheritance. Pastoral and Ministry Application 1. Discipleship: Teaching on genevah highlights both God’s holiness and His restorative purpose. Related Terms and Concepts • גָּנַב ganav (to steal) – verb underlying genevah. Summary Genevah encapsulates the tangible outcome of stealing and serves as a lens through which Scripture teaches righteous possession, restitution, and transformative grace. God defends the victim, confronts the perpetrator, and invites both into a restored community marked by justice and generosity. Forms and Transliterations בִּגְנֵבָתֽוֹ׃ בגנבתו׃ הַגְּנֵבָ֗ה הגנבה biḡ·nê·ḇā·ṯōw biḡnêḇāṯōw bignevaTo hag·gə·nê·ḇāh haggənêḇāh haggeneVahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 22:3 HEB: ל֔וֹ וְנִמְכַּ֖ר בִּגְנֵבָתֽוֹ׃ NAS: then he shall be sold for his theft. KJV: if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. INT: nothing shall be sold his theft Exodus 22:4 2 Occurrences |
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