If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:

EXODUS 22:10KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“sheep” Hebrew H7716 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
  • Leviticus 5:7 And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.
  • 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

“away” Hebrew H7617 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • 1 Kings 8:48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

“ox” Hebrew H7794 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
  • Leviticus 22:23 Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
  • Judges 6:25 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:

“ass” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 31:30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.