Exodus 22:4

If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox, a donkey, or a sheep, he must pay back double.

Unlocked Literal Bible

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 the sun has risen before he breaks in, guilt for murder will attach to the person who kills him. A thief must make restitution. If he has nothing, then he must be sold for his theft.

5If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets his animal loose, and it grazes in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field and from the best of his own vineyard.

Read all of Exodus 22

Cross References

Exodus 22:1If a man steals an ox or a sheep and kills it or sells it, then he must pay five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep.

Exodus 22:9For every dispute about something, whether it is an ox, a donkey, a sheep, clothing, or any other missing thing about which one says, “This belongs to me,” the claim of both parties must come before the judges. The man whom the judges find guilty must pay double to his neighbor.

Proverbs 6:31Yet if he is caught, he will pay back seven times what he stole; 1 he must give up everything of value in his house. 1

Jeremiah 16:18I will first pay back double for their iniquity and sin for their polluting of my land with their disgusting idol figures, and for their filling my inheritance with their disgusting idols.” 1

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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