Deuteronomy 22:4
New International Version
If you see your fellow Israelite’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet.

New Living Translation
“If you see that your neighbor’s donkey or ox has collapsed on the road, do not look the other way. Go and help your neighbor get it back on its feet!

English Standard Version
You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again.

Berean Standard Bible
If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up.

King James Bible
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

New King James Version
“You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again.

New American Standard Bible
You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the road, and avoid them; you shall certainly help him raise them up.

NASB 1995
“You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the way, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly help him to raise them up.

NASB 1977
“You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the way, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly help him to raise them up.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the way and ignore them; you shall certainly help him to raise them up.

Amplified Bible
You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and ignore [your duty to help] them; you shall certainly help him lift it up.

Christian Standard Bible
If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen down on the road, do not ignore it; help him lift it up.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen down on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up.”

American Standard Version
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

Contemporary English Version
Oxen and donkeys that carry heavy loads can stumble and fall, and be unable to get up by themselves. So as you walk along the road, help anyone who is trying to get an ox or donkey back on its feet.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you see another Israelite's donkey or ox lying on the road, don't pretend that you don't see it. Make sure you help him get it back on its feet.

Good News Translation
"If an Israelite's donkey or cow has fallen down, don't ignore it; help him get the animal to its feet again.

International Standard Version
When you see the donkey or the ox of your fellow countryman fallen on the road, don't ignore them. Instead be sure to help them get up."

Majority Standard Bible
If you see your brother?s donkey or ox fallen on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up.

NET Bible
When you see your neighbor's donkey or ox fallen along the road, do not ignore it; instead, you must be sure to help him get the animal on its feet again.

New Heart English Bible
You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide yourself from them: you shall surely help him to lift them up again.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

World English Bible
You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide yourself from them. You shall surely help him to lift them up again.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You do not see the donkey of your brother, or his ox, falling in the way, and have hid yourself from them; you certainly raise [them] up for him.

Young's Literal Translation
Thou dost not see the ass of thy brother, or his ox, falling in the way, and hast hid thyself from them; thou dost certainly raise them up with him.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fallen in the way, and hide from them: lifting up, thou shalt lift up with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If thou see thy brother's ass or his ox to be fallen down in the way, thou shalt not slight it, but shalt lift it up with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If you see that your brother’s donkey or ox has fallen along the way, you shall not disregard it. Instead, you shall lift it up with him.

New American Bible
You shall not see your neighbor’s donkey or ox fallen on the road and ignore it; you must help in lifting it up.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not see your neighbor’s donkey or ox fallen on the road and ignore it; you shall help to lift it up.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not see your enemy's ass or his ox fallen down by the way, and turn away your eyes from them; but you shall surely help him to lift them up again.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You shall not see the donkey of your enemy or his ox when it has fallen on the road and ignore them, but certainly lift them with him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide thyself from them; thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt not see the ass of thy brother, or his calf, fallen in the way: thou shalt not overlook them, thou shalt surely help him to raise them up.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Various Laws
3And you shall do the same for his donkey, his cloak, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it. 4If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up. 5A woman must not wear men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God.…

Cross References
Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Proverbs 24:11-12
Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. / If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 10:25-37
One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” / He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ...

Philippians 2:4
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Romans 15:1-2
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. / Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

1 John 3:17-18
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

Isaiah 58:6-7
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Job 29:15-16
I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame. / I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger.

Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. / Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means.

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.


Treasury of Scripture

You shall not see your brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide yourself from them: you shall surely help him to lift them up again.

thou shalt surely

Exodus 23:4,5
If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again…

Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Luke 10:29-37
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? …

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Deuteronomy 22
1. Of humanity toward brothers
5. The sex is to be distinguished by apparel
6. The bird is not to be taken with her young ones
8. The house must have battlements
9. Confusion is to be avoided
12. Tassels upon the vesture
13. The punishment of him who slanders his wife
22. of adultery
23. of rape
28. of fornication
30. of incest














If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road
This phrase emphasizes the importance of community responsibility and compassion. In ancient Israel, livestock such as donkeys and oxen were vital for agriculture and transportation. Seeing an animal in distress would have been a common occurrence, and the law here underscores the duty to assist. The term "brother" extends beyond familial ties to include fellow Israelites, promoting a sense of unity and mutual care. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).

you must not ignore it
The command to not ignore the situation highlights the moral obligation to act. In the cultural context of the time, ignoring a neighbor's need would be seen as a failure to uphold the covenant community's values. This directive aligns with the broader biblical theme of loving one's neighbor, as seen in Leviticus 19:18 and reiterated by Jesus in the Gospels (Matthew 22:39). The call to action reflects God's character, who is attentive to the needs of His people.

you must help him lift it up
This phrase calls for practical assistance, requiring physical effort and time. It reflects the biblical principle of active love, where faith is demonstrated through deeds (James 2:14-17). Helping to lift the animal symbolizes restoring what has fallen, a theme that resonates with the redemptive work of Christ, who lifts humanity from sin. The act of helping also serves as a type of Christ's ministry, where He came to serve and uplift those in need (Mark 10:45). This command encourages believers to embody Christ's love through tangible acts of service.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The audience receiving the law, God's chosen people, preparing to enter the Promised Land.

3. Brother
Refers to a fellow Israelite, emphasizing community and kinship.

4. Donkey or Ox
Common animals used for labor and transportation, representing livelihood and economic stability.

5. The Road
Symbolizes the journey of life and the daily paths we walk, where we encounter others in need.
Teaching Points
Community Responsibility
The verse emphasizes the importance of looking out for one another within the community. We are called to be proactive in helping those around us, not just when it is convenient.

Compassion in Action
True compassion requires action. Seeing a need and responding to it is a demonstration of love and obedience to God's commands.

Overcoming Indifference
The command to not ignore a fallen animal challenges us to overcome indifference and engage with the needs of others, reflecting God's care and concern.

Practical Love
This law teaches that love is practical and involves tangible acts of service. It is a call to live out our faith through deeds.

Reflecting God's Character
By helping others, we reflect God's character of mercy and kindness, serving as His representatives on earth.Verse 4. - An animal that had fallen was also to be lifted up, and the owner was to be assisted to do this. In Exodus, it is specially declared that both these services are to be rendered, even though the parties are at enmity with each other, and the one is the object of hatred to the other.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If you see
תִרְאֶה֩ (ṯir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

your brother’s
אָחִ֜יךָ (’ā·ḥî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

donkey
חֲמ֨וֹר (ḥă·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2543: A male ass

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

ox
שׁוֹרוֹ֙ (šō·w·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

fallen
נֹפְלִ֣ים (nō·p̄ə·lîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

on the road,
בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ (bad·de·reḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

you must not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

ignore it;
וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֖ (wə·hiṯ·‘al·lam·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5956: To veil from sight, conceal

you must help him lift it up.
הָקֵ֥ם (hā·qêm)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 22:4 You shall not see your brother's donkey (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 22:3
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