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Exodus 22:8

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 22:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall come near unto God, [to see] whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbor`s goods.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall come near unto God, [to see] whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbor`s goods.
Exodus 22:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
8If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall come near unto God, [to see] whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbor`s goods.
9For every matter of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, [or] for any manner of lost thing, whereof one saith, This is it, the cause of both parties shall come before God; he whom God shall condemn shall pay double unto his neighbor.
10If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:
11the oath of Jehovah shall be between them both, whether he hath not put his hand unto his neighbor`s goods; and the owner thereof shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.
← Exodus 22:7Exodus 22:9 →
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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 thief be not found, etc.] And so no account can be given of the goods deposited, what is become of them, and it becomes a doubtful case whether they have been stolen or embezzled, and there is suspicion of the latter: then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges: here called Elohim, gods, because they were God’s vicegerents, and represented him, and acted under his power and authority; and who at this present were Moses, and those that judged the people under him, and afterwards the seventy elders, and all such who in succeeding times were judges in Israel, and bore the office of civil magistrates; before these the master of the house, or the person who had any goods…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It would appear that if the master of the house would clear himself of imputation, the loss of the pledged article fell upon its owner. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the judges: Exo 22:28 \*marg. Exo 21:6; Deu 16:18, Deu 19:17, Deu 19:18; Ch1 23:4; Psa 82:1 Exodus 22:9”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification