Exodus 22:10 (KJV)

What does Exodus 22:10 mean?

Exodus 22:10 explains that if a person gives an animal—like a donkey, ox, sheep, or any other beast—to a neighbor to watch over, and the animal dies, is injured, or goes missing without anyone seeing what happened, there are specific rules about responsibility. The verse sets up a situation where the caretaker is not automatically blamed if there are no witnesses to the loss.

In Exodus 22, God is giving laws to the Israelites through Moses about how to handle property and trust between neighbors. This verse addresses cases where someone is entrusted with another person’s animal, and something bad happens to it out of sight. The law recognizes that accidents or losses can happen without the caretaker being at fault, and it prepares for a fair way to handle such situations.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 22:10

• The word for "deliver" is נָתַן (natan), which means to give or entrust. This highlights that the animal is placed in the neighbor’s care intentionally, not by accident.
• "Keep" comes from שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning to guard or watch over. The expectation is that the neighbor is acting as a responsible caretaker, not the owner.
• "Die" is מוּת (muth), simply meaning to die, but it covers any natural or accidental death, not just being killed by someone.
• "Hurt" is שָׁבַר (shavar), meaning to be broken or injured, showing that the law covers not just death but also harm.
• "Driven away" uses נָשָׂא (nasa), which means to be carried off or taken away, often by thieves or wild animals, emphasizing loss beyond the caretaker’s control.

Why Exodus 22:10 matters

• This verse clarifies that caretakers are not automatically guilty if entrusted animals are lost or harmed in ways they could not prevent or witness, which protects people from unfair blame.
• It shows the importance of trust and fairness in community relationships, especially when handling each other’s property.
• Exodus 22:10 fits into a larger set of laws that balance personal responsibility with understanding for honest accidents, helping to build a just society.