Exodus 22:13
New International Version
If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the neighbor shall bring in the remains as evidence and shall not be required to pay for the torn animal.

New Living Translation
If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the remains of the carcass must be shown as evidence, and no compensation will be required.

English Standard Version
If it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn.

Berean Standard Bible
If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass.

King James Bible
If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

New King James Version
If it is torn to pieces by a beast, then he shall bring it as evidence, and he shall not make good what was torn.

New American Standard Bible
If it is all torn to pieces, have him bring it as evidence; he shall not be compelled to make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.

NASB 1995
“If it is all torn to pieces, let him bring it as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.

NASB 1977
“If it is all torn to pieces, let him bring it as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now if it is all torn to pieces, let him bring it as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.

Amplified Bible
If it is torn to pieces [by some predator or by accident], let him bring the mangled carcass as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what was torn to pieces.

Christian Standard Bible
If it was actually torn apart by a wild animal, he is to bring it as evidence; he does not have to make restitution for the torn carcass.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If it was actually torn apart by a wild animal, he is to bring it as evidence; he does not have to make restitution for the torn carcass.”

American Standard Version
If it be torn in pieces, let him bring it for witness: he shall not make good that which was torn.

Contemporary English Version
If the animal was attacked and killed by a wild animal, and you can show the remains of the dead animal to its owner, you do not have to replace it.

English Revised Version
If it be torn in pieces, let him bring it for witness; he shall not make good that which was torn.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If it was killed by a wild animal, he must bring in the dead body as evidence. He doesn't have to make up for an animal that has been killed.

Good News Translation
If it was killed by wild animals, the man is to bring the remains as evidence; he need not pay for what has been killed by wild animals.

International Standard Version
If it was torn to pieces, let the neighbor bring the remains as evidence, and he is not to make restitution for what was torn apart.

Majority Standard Bible
If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass.

NET Bible
If it is torn in pieces, then he will bring it for evidence, and he will not have to pay for what was torn.

New Heart English Bible
If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.

Webster's Bible Translation
If it shall be torn in pieces; then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

World English Bible
If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
if it is certainly torn, he brings it in [as] a witness; he does not repay the torn thing.

Young's Literal Translation
if it is certainly torn, he bringeth it in -- a witness; the torn thing he doth not repay.

Smith's Literal Translation
If tearing in pieces, it shall be torn in pieces, he shall bring it a witness; the torn in pieces he shall not recompense.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If it were eaten by a beast, let him bring to him that which was slain, and he shall not make restitution.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If it has been eaten by a wild beast, let him carry what was killed to him, and then he shall not make restitution.

New American Bible
If it has been killed by a wild beast, let him bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the mangled animal.

New Revised Standard Version
If it was mangled by beasts, let it be brought as evidence; restitution shall not be made for the mangled remains.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If it is torn in pieces, then let him bring it as evidence, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if it will be certainly injured and he shall bring it for a witness that it is injured, he will not restore it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If it be torn in pieces, let him bring it for witness; he shall not make good that which was torn.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if it be seized of beasts, he shall bring him to witness the prey, and he shall not make compensation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Property Laws
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. 14If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not present, he must make full restitution.…

Cross References
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.

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 9:20
As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. And upon whom is all the desire of Israel, if not upon you and all your father’s house?”

1 Samuel 10:2
When you leave me today, you will find two men at Rachel’s tomb in Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you seek have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and started worrying about you, asking, “What should I do about my son?”’

Ezekiel 34:12
As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

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 15:4-6
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’

Luke 15:8-9
Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it? / And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’

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.

John 10:28-29
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

1 Peter 5:2-4
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. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

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.

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


Treasury of Scripture

If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

torn in pieces

Ezekiel 4:14
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.

Amos 3:12
Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.

Micah 5:8
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

let him bring it for witness.

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Able Animal Beast Beasts Clear Damaged Evidence Good Pay Payment Pieces Repay Required Restitution Torn Wild Witness
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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 the animal was torn to pieces
This phrase refers to a situation where an animal, likely a sheep or goat, has been attacked and killed by a predator. In the ancient Near Eastern context, shepherds were responsible for the safety of the flock. Predators such as lions, bears, and wolves were common threats. The law here acknowledges the reality of such dangers and provides a legal framework for dealing with them. This reflects the broader biblical principle of justice and fairness, recognizing circumstances beyond human control.

he shall bring it as evidence
The requirement to bring the torn carcass as evidence underscores the importance of accountability and integrity. It ensures that the shepherd is not falsely accused of negligence or theft. This practice is consistent with the biblical emphasis on truth and justice, as seen in other legal texts such as Deuteronomy 19:15, which requires the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish a matter. The physical evidence serves as a witness to the shepherd's claim.

he need not make restitution for the torn carcass
This provision exempts the shepherd from financial liability if he can prove that the loss was due to circumstances beyond his control. It reflects the biblical principle of mercy and fairness, recognizing that not all losses are due to negligence. This is similar to the principle found in Exodus 21:13, where unintentional harm is treated differently from premeditated actions. The law provides protection for those who act in good faith, aligning with the broader biblical theme of justice tempered with mercy.

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 instructed on how to live in community and in covenant with God.

3. Mount Sinai
The place where Moses received the Law from God, including the specific laws found in Exodus 22.

4. Shepherds and Livestock Owners
The immediate audience of this law, as it pertains to the responsibilities and liabilities of those who care for animals.

5. The Torn Carcass
Represents a situation where an animal is killed by a predator, which is central to the law's application in this verse.
Teaching Points
Understanding Responsibility
This law emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and integrity. When an animal is lost due to circumstances beyond control, evidence must be provided to avoid unjust restitution.

Community Trust
The requirement to bring evidence fosters trust within the community. It ensures that claims are verified and that individuals are not wrongfully accused or penalized.

God's Justice
The law reflects God's justice and fairness. It acknowledges that not all losses are due to negligence and provides a way to address such situations equitably.

Spiritual Vigilance
Just as shepherds must be vigilant in protecting their flocks, Christians are called to be vigilant in their spiritual lives, guarding against spiritual predators and being accountable for their actions.(13) Let him bring it for witness.--This would not always be possible. Where it was not, the trustee could fall back on the oath.

Verse 13. - If it be torn in pieces. - If again there was evidence that the creature had been killed by a wild beast, this evidence had to be produced, before the owner or the judges, for the trustee to be exonerated from blame. A similar proviso is found in the laws of the Gentoos (Rosenmuller, Orient. vol. 1. p. 148).

CHAPTER 22:14, 15

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

it was torn to pieces,
טָרֹ֥ף (ṭā·rōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 2963: To pluck off, pull to pieces, to supply with food

he shall bring
יְבִאֵ֣הוּ (yə·ḇi·’ê·hū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

it as evidence;
עֵ֑ד (‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

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

make 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

for the torn carcass.
הַטְּרֵפָ֖ה (haṭ·ṭə·rê·p̄āh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2966: Prey, flocks devoured by animals


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Exodus 22:12
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