If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.

EXODUS 22:6KJV
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Exodus 22:6 (KJV)

What does Exodus 22:6 mean?

Exodus 22:6 says that if someone starts a fire and it spreads, burning up another person’s crops or field, the one who started the fire must pay for the loss. This law makes the person responsible for the damage their actions cause, even if the harm was not intentional.

Moses is giving the Israelites practical laws for living together as a community. This verse deals with property damage, specifically when a fire gets out of control and destroys crops. The law emphasizes personal responsibility, making sure people are careful with their actions and are held accountable if they cause harm to others’ property.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 22:6

  • The word for "fire" is אֵשׁ (’esh), which simply means fire, but in this context it refers to a fire that has broken out and caused damage.
  • The word for "kindled" is בָּעַר (ba‘ar), meaning to start or set something on fire. This highlights that the person who actually caused the fire is the one held responsible.
  • The word for "restitution" is שָׁלֵם (shalam), which means to make whole or pay back. This shows that the law is about restoring what was lost, not just punishing the person.

Why Exodus 22:6 matters

  • Exodus 22:6 clarifies that accidental damage still requires restitution; intention does not remove responsibility for harm caused.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing how Israel’s laws protected both people and property, promoting fairness and accountability in the community.
  • The verse helps clear up the idea that only direct theft or violence required repayment; even indirect harm, like an uncontrolled fire, demanded making things right.

Where else these words appear

“corn” Hebrew H1430 · used in 4 verses

  • Judges 15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
  • Job 5:26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.
  • Job 21:32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

“corn” Hebrew H7054 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.
  • Judges 15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
  • Isaiah 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

“thorns” Hebrew H6975 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
  • 2 Samuel 23:6 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
  • Jeremiah 4:3 For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

“kindled” Hebrew H1197 · used in 90 verses

  • Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
  • 2 Samuel 22:13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
  • Isaiah 30:33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.