Question 1

What does Exodus 22:1 mean?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 22:1 says that if someone steals an ox or a sheep and then kills or sells it, that person must pay back five oxen for each stolen ox and four sheep for each stolen sheep. This law sets out a specific penalty for livestock theft, requiring the thief to repay much more than what was taken. In this part of Exodus, God is giving laws to the Israelites through Moses about how to handle theft and property crimes. The verse addresses a situation where a person takes valuable animals—oxen or sheep—which were important for work and livelihood. The penalty is not just simple repayment but a multiple, showing how seriously the community viewed theft and the need to make things right for the victim.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Exodus 22:1

Accepted Answer

The word for "restore" is שָׁלַם (shalam), which means to make whole or pay back. This highlights that the goal is not just punishment but also making the victim whole again. The numbers "five" (חָמֵשׁ, chamesh) and "four" (אַרְבַּע, arba) are specific and intentional, showing a graded penalty that is higher for an ox than for a sheep, likely because an ox was more valuable for farming. The word for "steal" is גָּנַב (ganav), which refers to taking something secretly or dishonestly, making clear that this law applies to deliberate theft, not accidental loss.

Question 3

Why Exodus 22:1 matters

Accepted Answer

Exodus 22:1 clarifies that theft was treated as a serious offense in ancient Israel, with restitution going beyond just returning what was stolen. The verse shows that the law aimed to protect both property and the livelihood of individuals, especially since oxen and sheep were essential for survival. The specific penalties set a standard for justice that discouraged theft and emphasized making amends, not just punishing wrongdoers.

Exodus 22:1 (KJV)