Exodus 22:12
New International Version
But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, restitution must be made to the owner.

New Living Translation
But if the animal was indeed stolen, the guilty person must pay compensation to the owner.

English Standard Version
But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.

Berean Standard Bible
But if the animal was actually stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner.

King James Bible
And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

New King James Version
But if, in fact, it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it.

New American Standard Bible
But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.

NASB 1995
“But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.

NASB 1977
“But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.

Legacy Standard Bible
But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.

Amplified Bible
But if it is actually stolen from him [when in his care], he shall make restitution to its owner.

Christian Standard Bible
But if, in fact, the animal was stolen from his custody, he must make restitution to its owner.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if, in fact, the animal was stolen from his custody, he must make restitution to its owner.

American Standard Version
But if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

Contemporary English Version
But if the animal was stolen while in your care, you must replace it.

English Revised Version
But if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must make up for the owner's loss.

Good News Translation
but if the animal was stolen, the man must repay the owner.

International Standard Version
But if it was actually stolen from him, the neighbor is to make restitution to its owner.

Majority Standard Bible
But if the animal was actually stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner.

NET Bible
But if it was stolen from him, he will pay its owner.

New Heart English Bible
But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if it shall be stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it.

World English Bible
But if it is stolen from him, the one who stole shall make restitution to its owner.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but if it is certainly stolen from him, he repays to its owner;

Young's Literal Translation
but if it is certainly stolen from him, he doth repay to its owner;

Smith's Literal Translation
And if stealing, it shall be stolen from him, he shall recompense to his lord.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if it were taken away by stealth, he shall make the loss good to the owner.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if it will have been taken away by theft, he shall repay the damages to the owner.

New American Bible
But if the guardian has actually stolen from it, then he must make restitution to the owner.

New Revised Standard Version
But if it was stolen, restitution shall be made to its owner.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner thereof.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if it will be certainly stolen from him, he will restore to its owner.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if it be stolen from him, he shall make compensation to the owner.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Property Laws
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. 13If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass.…

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— ...

Deuteronomy 22:1-3
If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; be sure to return it to your brother. / If your brother does not live near you, or if you do not know who he is, you are to take the animal home to remain with you until your brother comes seeking it; then you can return it to him. / And 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.

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 25:21
Now David had just said, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good.

Ezekiel 34:8
‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because My flock lacks a shepherd and has become prey and food for every wild beast, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but fed themselves instead,

Amos 3:12
This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.

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 18:12-14
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

John 10:11-13
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.

1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

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?

1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”

2 Timothy 1:14
Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.


Treasury of Scripture

And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner thereof.

stolen from him

Exodus 22:7
If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.

Genesis 31:39
That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.

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Actually Animal Good Loss Neighbor Owner Repay Restitution Stolen Thereof Thief
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














But if the animal
The phrase "But if the animal" introduces a conditional clause, indicating a specific situation regarding the loss of property. In the Hebrew text, the word for "animal" is "בְּהֵמָה" (behemah), which generally refers to domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, or goats. These animals were vital to the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites, serving as sources of food, labor, and wealth. The mention of an animal underscores the importance of livestock in ancient Israelite society and the need for laws to protect such valuable assets.

was actually stolen
The Hebrew word for "stolen" is "גָּנַב" (ganav), which means to take something secretly or by stealth. This word highlights the act of theft as a deliberate and wrongful taking of property. In the context of ancient Israel, theft was a serious offense, as it disrupted the community's trust and economic stability. The use of "actually" emphasizes the certainty of the theft, distinguishing it from other potential causes of loss, such as natural death or predation.

from the neighbor
The term "neighbor" in Hebrew is "רֵעַ" (rea), which can refer to a friend, companion, or fellow member of the community. This word choice reflects the close-knit nature of Israelite society, where individuals were expected to live in harmony and mutual respect. The relationship between neighbors was governed by principles of justice and fairness, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. The theft of an animal from a neighbor would not only be a personal loss but also a breach of communal trust.

he must make restitution
The concept of "restitution" is central to biblical justice. The Hebrew word "שִׁלֵּם" (shillem) means to make whole or to compensate. This requirement underscores the biblical principle that justice involves restoring what was lost or damaged. Restitution serves both as a deterrent to wrongdoing and as a means of reconciliation between the offender and the victim. It reflects God's desire for His people to live in a community where wrongs are righted and relationships are restored.

to the owner
The word "owner" in Hebrew is "בַּעַל" (ba'al), which denotes possession or mastery. In this context, it refers to the rightful possessor of the animal. The emphasis on returning the stolen property to the owner highlights the importance of respecting individual rights and property. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of stewardship, where individuals are entrusted with resources and responsibilities by God. The restoration of the stolen animal to its owner is a tangible expression of justice and respect for God's order.

(12) If it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution.--It seems to have been considered that theft could have been prevented by proper care, but that hurts from wild beasts or accidents were not preventible.

Verse 12. - If it be stolen. - If, however, the case was not an ambiguous one, but certainly known to he one of theft, restitution had to be made, since it was supposed that with proper care the theft might have been prevented.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

[the animal] was actually
גָּנֹ֥ב (gā·nōḇ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive

stolen
יִגָּנֵ֖ב (yig·gā·nêḇ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive

from [the neighbor],
מֵעִמּ֑וֹ (mê·‘im·mōw)
Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

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

to the owner.
לִבְעָלָֽיו׃ (liḇ·‘ā·lāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner


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OT Law: Exodus 22:12 But if it is stolen from him (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 22:11
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