Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryExodus 22

Exodus 22:1-6: Laws on Theft, Trespass, and Fire Damage This passage gives important laws about stealing, damaging property, and causing fire damage. God’s laws show how justice should be done fairly and carefully. The laws teach that if someone steals or harms what belongs to another, they must make full restitution. The rules also protect people’s homes and property from harm. These laws encourage honesty, fairness, and responsibility in the community.v. 1: If someone steals an ox or a sheep and kills it or sells it, he must pay back more than he took—five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep. This law shows that stealing causes great harm and that fraud does not bring real gain but loss .

v. 2: If a thief breaks into a house at night and is killed, the person who killed him is not guilty of murder. The thief is responsible for what happens to him because he was doing wrong. This law protects people defending their homes .

v. 3: But if the thief is killed during the day, the person who killed him must be judged. If the thief cannot pay for what he stole, he should be sold as a slave to pay the debt. This law shows that justice must be careful and fair, and people should not take revenge by themselves .

v. 4: If a thief is caught with stolen property alive, whether ox, donkey, or sheep, he must pay double. This means he must make full restitution and suffer the consequence for his crime .

v. 5: If a man lets his animals eat in a neighbor’s field or vineyard, he must pay restitution from the best parts of his own field or vineyard. This shows respect for other people’s property and teaches us to avoid causing harm .

v. 6: If someone starts a fire that spreads and burns stacks of grain, standing grain, or a field, the person who started the fire must pay for the damage. Even if the fire started in thorns, the one who caused it is responsible. This teaches us to be careful and responsible for the harm we may cause, even if it is by accident .

Exodus 22:7-15: Laws about Trusts and Loans This section gives laws about what happens when people trust their neighbors with their property or borrow things from each other. God’s law teaches that we must be honest, careful, and fair when handling other people’s things. If something goes wrong, it is important to find out who is responsible. These rules help prevent disputes and encourage people to treat each other with respect and trust. The judges use oaths and careful examination to make fair decisions. The laws also show that people should not be punished for something they could not prevent.v. 7: If a man gives his neighbor money or goods to keep, and they are stolen, the thief must pay back double if caught. This is to make sure thieves are punished and trust is protected .

v. 8: If the thief is not found, the person who was keeping the goods must go before the judges to see if he is guilty of stealing from his neighbor. This helps find the truth if there is suspicion .

v. 9: For any kind of dispute about property—like animals, clothes, or anything lost—both sides must come before the judges. Whoever the judges find guilty must pay double. This shows the importance of justice and the role of judges .

v. 10: If a man is given an animal to look after, and it dies, is hurt, or runs away with no one seeing it, there must be a way to decide what happened .

v. 11: The man who was watching the animal must swear an oath before the Lord

v. 12: If the animal was stolen from him, he must pay the owner back. This means the keeper is responsible if he did not protect what was trusted to him .

v. 13: If the animal was killed by another animal, the keeper must bring proof, and he does not have to pay for it. If it was just bad luck, not neglect, he is not blamed .

v. 14: If a man borrows something from his neighbor and it is hurt or dies while the owner is not there, he must pay for it. Borrowers should take special care with things they borrow, because they have a duty to protect them .

v. 15: But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower does not have to pay for it. If it was hired, the payment for hiring it covers any loss. This teaches fairness when lending and borrowing .

Exodus 22:16-24: Laws about Marriage, Witchcraft, Idolatry, and Protecting the Weak This section covers different laws that protect people and keep society pure and fair. God’s rules here teach respect for marriage, punish evil and unnatural acts, and warn against worshipping other gods. There are also strong commands to treat strangers, widows, and orphans kindly. God especially cares for those who are alone or in need, and He will defend them if others treat them badly.v. 16: If a man persuades a young woman who is not engaged and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride price and marry her. This law makes sure he takes responsibility for her and honors marriage .

v. 17: If the woman’s father refuses to let her marry the man, the man must pay money as compensation, just as if she were to marry. This respects the father’s authority and the woman’s family, and it also shows that children should not marry without their parents’ consent .

v. 18: Anyone who practices witchcraft must be put to death. God commands this because witchcraft tries to use evil powers instead of trusting in God. It is very serious because it gives honor to the devil instead of the Lord

v. 19: Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be put to death. This act is unnatural and evil, and such a person is not fit to live among God’s people .

v. 20: Anyone who sacrifices to any god except the Lord

v. 21: Do not mistreat or oppress a stranger, because you were strangers in Egypt. God wants His people to remember what it was like to be foreigners and to treat others with kindness and fairness .

v. 22: Do not hurt widows or fatherless children. These people need special care and protection since they do not have family to help them .

v. 23: If you do harm them and they cry out to God, He will hear their cry. God notices when weak people are oppressed, and He promises to listen to their prayers .

v. 24: God warns that if anyone oppresses widows or orphans, He will become angry and punish the oppressors. Their own wives will become widows, and their children fatherless. God’s justice will make sure that those who hurt the weak will be punished the same way .

Exodus 22:25-31: Lending, Respect for Authority, Firstfruits, and Holiness This passage gives different laws that are meant to protect the poor, honor those in authority, and keep God’s people holy. God’s law teaches kindness to those who are in need, respect toward leaders, and that the first and best things should be given to God. These laws also separate God’s people from others by making sure they act with mercy, respect, and purity in daily life.v. 25: If you lend money to someone poor among God’s people, do not charge interest. This law protects the poor from being taken advantage of and teaches us to be merciful, not greedy (Exodus 22:25; Nehemiah 5:5, 7 ).

v. 26: If you take your neighbor’s clothing as a pledge for a loan, you must give it back before sunset. The poor person may need it to stay warm at night. God wants us to show compassion and not make life harder for those who are already suffering .

v. 27: That clothing may be his only covering. If he cries out to God, God will hear because God is gracious. God cares deeply about the poor and will defend them if they are wronged .

v. 28: Do not insult judges or curse the rulers of your people. To disrespect authority is a serious sin, because leaders are there to keep order. Even if a ruler is unfair, we must not speak evil against them. The New Testament also warns us not to “speak evil of dignities” (Exodus 22:28; Jude 8 ; Acts 23:5; Ecclesiastes 10:20 ).

v. 29: Do not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and liquids to God. The firstborn sons also belong to God and should be given to Him, just as He commanded before (Exodus 22:29; Exodus 13:1-22 ). We should give God the first and best in everything.

v. 30: You must do the same with your oxen and sheep—let the young stay with their mothers for seven days, then give them to God on the eighth day. God’s rules are thoughtful and show that He cares for both people and animals .

v. 31: God’s people must be holy. They must not eat meat that was torn by wild animals, but should throw it to the dogs. This law teaches God’s people to be separate from others and to live in a clean and honorable way (Exodus 22:31 ).