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Exodus 22:4

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 22:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If the theft be found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep, he shall pay double.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If the theft be found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep, he shall pay double.
Exodus 22:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
2If the thief be found breaking in, and be smitten so that he dieth, there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him.
3If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be bloodguiltiness for him; he shall make restitution: if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4If the theft be found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep, he shall pay double.
5If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall let his beast loose, and it feed in another man`s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
6If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
7If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man`s house; if the thief be found, he shall pay double.
← Exodus 22:3Exodus 22:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, etc.] Or, “in finding be found” f684, be plainly and evidently found upon him, before witnesses, as the Targum of Jonathan; so that there is no doubt of the theft; and it is a clear case that he had neither as yet killed nor sold the creature he had stolen, and to could be had again directly, and without any damage well as it would appear by this that he was not an old expert thief, and used to such practices, since he would soon have made away with this theft in some way or another: whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep, or any other creature; and even, as Jarchi thinks, anything else, as raiment, goods, etc. he shall restore double; two oxen…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If a thief, in breaking into a dwelling in the night, was slain, the person who slew him did not incur the guilt of blood; but if the same occurred in daylight, the slayer was guilty in accordance with Exodus 21:12. The distinction may have been based on the fact that in the light of day there was a fair chance of identifying and apprehending the thief. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“In his hand alive - Not killed, nor sold, as Exo 22:1, so that the owner recover it with less charge and trouble. Exodus 22:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“found: Exo 21:16 he shall restore double: Exo 22:1, Exo 22:7, Exo 22:9; Pro 6:31; Isa 40:2; Jer 16:18; Rev 18:6 Exodus 22:5”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 22 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification