Exodus 23:4 (KJV)

What does Exodus 23:4 mean?

Exodus 23:4 instructs that if you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, you are required to return it to your enemy. This command calls for helping even someone you dislike by caring for their lost property.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, laying out laws for how they should treat others, including their enemies. The situation described is practical—finding a neighbor’s animal that has strayed—and the law insists on doing what is right, regardless of personal feelings toward the animal’s owner.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 23:4

• "enemy's" (אֹיֵב, ’oyev): This word specifically means an adversary or someone you are in conflict with, highlighting that the command applies even when there is personal animosity.
• "astray" (תָּעָה, ta‘ah): This word means to wander or go astray, emphasizing that the animal is lost and in need of help.
• "surely...back...again" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word appears three times in the original text, stressing the certainty and completeness of the action—returning the animal fully and without hesitation.

Why Exodus 23:4 matters

• Exodus 23:4 clarifies that moral responsibility extends even to those we may not like, challenging the idea that kindness is only for friends.
• The verse emphasizes justice and compassion as foundational values in the law, not just ritual or worship.
• This command fits into a larger section where God instructs Israel on fair and ethical treatment of others, showing that everyday actions reflect deeper principles of right and wrong.