In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.

DEUTERONOMY 22:3KJV
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Deuteronomy 22:3 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 22:3 mean?

Deuteronomy 22:3 instructs that if you find anything your fellow Israelite has lost—whether it is an animal, clothing, or any other item—you must return it and not ignore the situation. The verse makes clear that you are responsible for helping your neighbor recover what belongs to them, rather than pretending you did not see it.

In this part of Deuteronomy, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to live in the Promised Land, giving them laws for everyday life. The verse emphasizes practical care for others’ property and honesty within the community. It also shows that the law covers all kinds of lost items, not just animals, and that avoiding responsibility is not allowed.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 22:3

  • "manner" (כֵּן, ken): This word means "in this way" or "likewise," showing that the same rule applies to every kind of lost item, not just one specific case.
  • "do" (עָשָׂה, asah): This verb is repeated to stress the action required—you must actively do something to help, not just passively notice.
  • "raiment" (שִׂמְלָה, simlah): This refers to clothing, showing the law applies to personal belongings as well as livestock.
  • "hide" (עָלַם, alam): This word means to conceal or ignore. The verse commands that you must not hide yourself or pretend not to see your neighbor’s loss.

Why Deuteronomy 22:3 matters

  • Deuteronomy 22:3 clarifies that the responsibility to return lost property is broad, covering all types of belongings, not just animals.
  • The verse highlights the importance of community trust and personal responsibility, showing that caring for your neighbor’s property is a basic expectation.
  • This law connects to the wider passage by building a culture of honesty and mutual care, which is a key theme in Moses’ instructions for life in the land.

Where else these words appear

“thing” Hebrew H9 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 22:9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
  • Leviticus 6:3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:
  • Leviticus 6:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,

“hide” Hebrew H5956 · used in 27 verses

  • Leviticus 4:13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;
  • 1 Samuel 12:3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
  • Psalms 55:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

“raiment” Hebrew H8071 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
  • Exodus 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
  • Judges 8:25 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

“manner” Hebrew H3651 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 42:34 And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.
  • 1 Samuel 9:13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.