Exodus 22:4

If what was stolen is a live animal he still has, whether it's an ox, donkey, or sheep, he must pay back double.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

In Context

3But if it happens during daylight, then someone is guilty of murder. A thief must pay everything back that's stolen. If he doesn't have anything, then he must be sold to pay for what was stolen.

5If livestock are grazing in a field or vineyard and their owner lets them stray so that they graze in someone else's field, their owner must pay compensation from the best of their own fields or vineyards.

Read all of Exodus 22

Cross References

Exodus 22:1“Anyone who steals an ox or a sheep and kills or sells it must pay back five oxen for one ox and four sheep for one sheep.

Exodus 22:9If there's an argument over the ownership of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything that was lost that someone says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their case before the judges. The one whom the judges find in the wrong must pay the other back double.

Proverbs 6:31But if he's caught, he has to pay back seven times what he stole, even if it means handing over everything he has in his house.

Jeremiah 16:18First I'm going to pay them back double for their wickedness and sin, because they have made my land unclean with the lifeless bodies of their disgusting idols, filling my special country with their offensive pagan images.

Matthew Henry on Exodus 22:2-7

Judicial Laws. ( b. c. 1491.) 1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. 3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Exodus 22:4