Exodus 22:2 If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.

◄ Exodus 22:2 ►

New International Version
“If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;

New Living Translation
“If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is struck and killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty of murder.

English Standard Version
If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him,

Berean Standard Bible
If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.

King James Bible
If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

New King James Version
If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.

New American Standard Bible
If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no guilt for bloodshed on his account.

NASB 1995
“If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account.

NASB 1977
“If the thief is caught while breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account.

Legacy Standard Bible
“If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account.

Amplified Bible
“If a thief is caught breaking in [after dark] and is struck [by the owner] so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him.

Christian Standard Bible
If a thief is caught in the act of breaking in, and he is beaten to death, no one is guilty of bloodshed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If a thief is caught in the act of breaking in, and he is beaten to death, no one is guilty of bloodshed.

American Standard Version
If the thief be found breaking in, and be smitten so that he dieth, there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him.

English Revised Version
If the thief be found breaking in, and be smitten that he die, there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"If anyone catches a thief breaking in and hits him so that he dies, he is not guilty of murder.

International Standard Version
"If a thief is found while breaking into a house, and is struck down and dies, it is not a capital crime in that case,

Majority Standard Bible
If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.

NET Bible
"If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no blood guilt for him.

New Heart English Bible
If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.

Webster's Bible Translation
If a thief shall be found breaking through, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

World English Bible
If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
If in the breaking through, the thief is found, and he has been struck and has died, there is no blood for him;

Young's Literal Translation
'If in the breaking through, the thief is found, and he hath been smitten, and hath died, there is no blood for him;

Smith's Literal Translation
If in breaking in a thief shall be found, and he was smitten and died, no bloods for him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
If a thief be found breaking open a house or undermining it, and be wounded so as to die: he that slew him shall not be guilty of blood.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If a thief will have been discovered breaking into a house, or digging under it, and he has received a mortal wound, he who struck him down will not be guilty of blood.

New American Bible
[If a thief is caught in the act of housebreaking and beaten to death, there is no bloodguilt involved.

New Revised Standard Version
When the animal, whether ox or donkey or sheep, is found alive in the thief’s possession, the thief shall pay double.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
If a thief is found breaking into a house and is wounded so that he dies, there is no penalty for bloodshed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if a thief will be found breaking in and he is wounded and dies, there is no vengeance for him.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
If a thief be found breaking in, and be smitten so that he dieth, there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if the thief be found in the breach made by himself and be smitten and die, there shall not be blood shed for him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Property Laws
1“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. 2If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. 3But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

Romans 13:4
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Luke 6:29
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.

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.

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Deuteronomy 19:21
You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Proverbs 24:29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

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.

Romans 12:17-19
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Luke 22:36
“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.

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?

Treasury of Scripture

If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

breaking

Job 24:14
The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.

Job 30:5
They were driven forth from among men, (they cried after them as after a thief;)

Hosea 7:1
When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.

no blood

Numbers 35:27
And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:

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Account Act Alive Ass Beast Blood Bloodguiltiness Blood-Guiltiness Bloodshed Blow Breaking Caught Caused Death Defender Die Died Dies Dieth Double Encountered Forcing Found Guilt Guilty House Owner Ox Pay Possession Shed Sheep Smitten ss ss Stolen Struck Thief Way Whether

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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

Berean Study Bible

If a thief
The Hebrew word for "thief" here is "גַּנָּב" (ganav), which refers to someone who steals stealthily, as opposed to a robber who might use force. In the ancient Near Eastern context, theft was a serious offense, often threatening the livelihood of individuals and families. The Bible consistently condemns theft, emphasizing the importance of respecting others' property as a reflection of loving one's neighbor.

is caught breaking in
The phrase "breaking in" translates from the Hebrew "מַחְתֶּרֶת" (machteret), which literally means "digging through." This implies a clandestine entry, often through a wall or under cover of darkness. The imagery here is of a thief who is not merely opportunistic but has premeditated the act, highlighting the severity of the crime. In ancient times, homes were often made of mud bricks, making it feasible for a thief to dig through walls, thus the specific mention of "breaking in."

and is beaten to death
The Hebrew verb "נָכָה" (nakah) means "to strike" or "to smite." The context here is defensive action taken by a homeowner to protect their property and family. The phrase "to death" indicates the severity of the response, which is not prescribed but rather described as a possible outcome. This reflects the high value placed on personal and familial security in ancient Israelite society.

no one shall be guilty of bloodshed
The term "bloodshed" comes from the Hebrew "דָּם" (dam), meaning "blood." In this context, it refers to the guilt associated with taking a life. The verse provides a legal exemption for the homeowner, recognizing the right to defend one's home against an intruder. This legal principle underscores the sanctity of life and property, balanced by the necessity of self-defense. It reflects the broader biblical theme of justice, where the intent and circumstances of an action are considered in determining guilt or innocence.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) If a thief be found breaking up.--Rather, breaking in: i.e., making forcible entry into a dwelling-house. Most codes agree with the Mosaic in allowing the inmates of the house to resist such an attempt if made at night, and to shed the blood of the burglar, if necessary. He may be considered as having dissolved the "social compact," and converted himself from a fellow-citizen into a public enemy. A murderous intent on his part may be suspected.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - If a thief be found breaking up. Rather, "Breaking in" - i.e., making forcible entry into a house. The ordinary mode of "breaking in" seems to have been by a breach in the wall. Hence the word here used, which is derived from khathar, "to dig." There shall no blood be shed for him. Rather, "the blood-feud shall not lie upon him" - i.e., the avenger of blood shall not be entitled to proceed against his slayer. The principle here laid down has had the sanction of Solon, of the Roman law, and of the law of England. It rests upon the probability that those who break into a house by night bare a murderous intent, or at least have the design, if occasion arise, to commit murder.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

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

a thief
הַגַּנָּ֖ב (hag·gan·nāḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1590: A stealer

is caught
יִמָּצֵ֥א (yim·mā·ṣê)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

breaking in
בַּמַּחְתֶּ֛רֶת (bam·maḥ·te·reṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4290: A burglary, unexpected examination

and is beaten
וְהֻכָּ֣ה (wə·huk·kāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

to death,
וָמֵ֑ת (wā·mêṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

no one
אֵ֥ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

shall be guilty of bloodshed.
דָּמִֽים׃ (dā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

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OT Law: Exodus 22:2 If the thief is found breaking (Exo. Ex)