Exodus 22:14
New International Version
“If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.

New Living Translation
“If someone borrows an animal from a neighbor and it is injured or dies when the owner is absent, the person who borrowed it must pay full compensation.

English Standard Version
“If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution.

Berean Standard Bible
If 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.

King James Bible
And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.

New King James Version
“And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it becomes injured or dies, the owner of it not being with it, he shall surely make it good.

New American Standard Bible
“And if someone borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution.

NASB 1995
“If a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution.

NASB 1977
“And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution.

Legacy Standard Bible
“If a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution.

Amplified Bible
“And if a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it gets injured or dies while its owner is not with it, the borrower shall make full restitution.

Christian Standard Bible
“When a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not there with it, the man must make full restitution.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not there with it, the man must make full restitution.

American Standard Version
And if a man borrow aught of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.

Contemporary English Version
Suppose you borrow an animal from a neighbor, and it gets injured or dies while the neighbor isn't around. Then you must replace it.

English Revised Version
And if a man borrow aught of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Whenever someone borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, the borrower must make up for the loss.

Good News Translation
"If anyone borrows an animal from someone else and it is injured or dies when its owner is not present, he must pay for it.

International Standard Version
"When a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it's injured or dies while its owner was not with it, he is certainly to make restitution.

Majority Standard Bible
If 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.

NET Bible
"If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is hurt or dies when its owner was not with it, the man who borrowed it will surely pay.

New Heart English Bible
"If a man borrows anything of his neighbor's, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if a man shall borrow aught of his neighbor, and it shall be hurt, or die, the owner of it being not with it, he shall surely make it good.

World English Bible
“If a man borrows anything of his neighbor’s, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when a man asks for [anything] from his neighbor, and it has been hurt or has died—its owner not being with it—he certainly repays;

Young's Literal Translation
And when a man doth ask anything from his neighbour, and it hath been hurt or hath died -- its owner not being with it -- he doth certainly repay;

Smith's Literal Translation
And if a man shall ask from his friend, and being broken or dying, its lord not with it, recompensing, he shall recompense.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If a man borrow of his neighbour any of these things, and it be hurt or die, the owner not being present, he shall be obliged to make restitution.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If anyone borrows from his neighbor any of these things, and it has died or been disabled when the owner was not present, he shall be compelled to make restitution.

New American Bible
When someone borrows an animal from a neighbor, if it is maimed or dies while the owner is not present, that one must make restitution.

New Revised Standard Version
When someone borrows an animal from another and it is injured or dies, the owner not being present, full restitution shall be made.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if a man borrow of his neighbor an animal, and it dies or it is injured, the owner thereof not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when a man will ask an animal from his neighbor and it will be injured or it would die and its owner was not with it, he shall surely restore it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if a man borrow aught of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if any one borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be wounded or die or be carried away, and the owner of it be not with it, he shall make compensation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Property Laws
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. 15If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss.…

Cross References
Leviticus 24:18
Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life.

Numbers 5:6-7
“Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty / and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged.

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.

2 Kings 4:7
She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder.”

Proverbs 6:31
Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.

Matthew 5:25-26
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. / Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

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.”

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

1 Corinthians 6:7
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

Philemon 1:18-19
But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. / I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

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.

2 Samuel 12:6
Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.”

Ezekiel 33:15
if he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—then he will surely live; he will not die.

Matthew 18:28-30
But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ / So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’ / But he refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay his debt.

Luke 10:35
The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’


Treasury of Scripture

And if a man borrow ought of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.

borrow

Deuteronomy 15:2
And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release.

Deuteronomy 23:19,20
Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: …

Nehemiah 5:4
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

make it good

Exodus 22:11
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.

Exodus 21:34
The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

Leviticus 24:18
And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast.

Jump to Previous
Aught Beasts Borrow Borrows Damaged Death Die Died Dies Full Fully Gets Good Hurt Injured Loss Neighbor Neighbor's Neighbour Ought Owner Payment Present Repay Restitution Surely Thereof Use
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Aught Beasts Borrow Borrows Damaged Death Die Died Dies Full Fully Gets Good Hurt Injured Loss Neighbor Neighbor's Neighbour Ought Owner Payment Present Repay Restitution Surely Thereof Use
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 a man borrows
The Hebrew word for "borrows" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which implies a request or demand for something with the intention of returning it. In ancient Israelite society, borrowing was a common practice, reflecting a community-oriented culture where resources were shared. This phrase sets the stage for a legal and moral obligation, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with using another's property.

an animal
The term "animal" here is "בְּהֵמָה" (behemah), which generally refers to domesticated animals used for labor or transportation, such as oxen or donkeys. These animals were vital to the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites, serving as essential tools for farming and trade. The mention of an animal underscores the economic and practical importance of the property being borrowed.

from his neighbor
The word "neighbor" is "רֵעַ" (rea), indicating a fellow member of the community. This reflects the close-knit nature of Israelite society, where relationships were built on mutual trust and cooperation. The use of "neighbor" highlights the relational aspect of the law, reminding the borrower of their duty to respect and care for their neighbor's property.

and it is injured or dies
The phrase "injured or dies" covers a range of potential mishaps that could befall the borrowed animal. The Hebrew words "נִשְׁבַּר" (nishbar) for "injured" and "מֵת" (met) for "dies" indicate physical harm or death, which could occur due to negligence or unforeseen circumstances. This part of the verse acknowledges the risks involved in borrowing and the need for accountability.

while its owner is not present
The absence of the owner, "בְּעָלָיו אֵין עִמּוֹ" (be'alav ein imo), is a crucial detail. It implies that the borrower has full responsibility for the animal's well-being. The owner's absence removes any shared responsibility, placing the onus entirely on the borrower to ensure the animal's safety and care.

he must make full restitution
The phrase "make full restitution" is "שַׁלֵּם יְשַׁלֵּם" (shalem yeshalem), which means to compensate completely or repay in full. This legal requirement underscores the principle of justice and fairness in the Mosaic Law. It serves as a deterrent against carelessness and encourages the borrower to treat the borrowed property with the same care as their own. The concept of restitution reflects God's desire for His people to live in harmony and integrity, ensuring that wrongs are righted and relationships are preserved.

(14, 15) Lending is a species of deposit; but for the benefit, not of the depositor, but of the man with whom the deposit is made. The obligation of the latter to keep intact and to return is therefore even more stringent than in the preceding case. Consequently, if the thing lent were lost or injured, however the loss was brought about, the borrower was justly called upon to make it good. The only exception was, when the lender was still in charge of what he lent, present with it, and able to keep guard over it.

Verses 14, 15 LAW OF BORROWING. - The act of borrowing is connected with that of depositing, since in both cases, the property of one man is committed to the hands of another; only, in the one case, it is at the instance and for the benefit of the man into whose hands the property passes; in the other case, it is at the instance and for the benefit of the other party. This difference causes a difference of obligation. The borrower, having borrowed solely for his own advantage, must take all the risks, and in any case return the thing borrowed, or its value, unless the owner was still, in some sort, in charge of his own property. Things hired are not, however, to be regarded as borrowed. If harm come to them, the owner must suffer the loss. Verse 14. And it be hurt or die. - The thing borrowed might be animate or inanimate; either might be "hurt;" the former might not only be hurt, but "die." Whatever the damage, and whatever the cause, unless in the single rare case of the owner being in charge, the law required the borrower to make good the loss to the owner. This law must have acted as a considerable check upon borrowing.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
וְכִֽי־ (wə·ḵî-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a man
אִ֛ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

borrows
יִשְׁאַ֥ל (yiš·’al)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

[an animal]
מֵעִ֥ם (mê·‘im)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

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

and it is injured
וְנִשְׁבַּ֣ר (wə·niš·bar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces

or
אוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

dies
מֵ֑ת (mêṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

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

is not
אֵין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

present,
עִמּ֖וֹ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

he must make full restitution.
שַׁלֵּ֥ם (šal·lêm)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate


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OT Law: Exodus 22:14 If a man borrows anything of his (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 22:13
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