Ex. 22 Of theft, Ex. 22:1–4. Of eating another man’s vineyard, Ex. 2:5 Of hurt coming by fire, Ex. 22:6. Of hurt coming to goods committed to one’s trust, Ex. 22:7–13. Of hurt befalling things borrowed, Ex. 22:14–15. Of committing adultery, Ex. 22:16–17. Of witchcraft, Ex. 22:18.

An ox, or a sheep; or, an ass, which is added Ex. 22:4, and consequently any other living creature, to be valued according to its worth and use to man, proportionably to the rule here laid down. Only these are instanced in for their usefulness in the service both of God and men.

Breaking up, to wit, an house, which the Chaldee here adds, and by night, as appears from the next verse. For him, i.e. for the thief, though he be killed by a man in his own defence.

There shall be blood shed for him; he that kills him shall be put to death, because he punished him more than his crime deserved, and might have been otherwise either secured or righted; and in that case, it is probable, the thief designed not murder, but theft only.

Alive; not killed, nor sold, as Ex. 22:1. Double; not more, 1. Because in that case it was presumed, either that he intended to restore it, or at least that he was but raw and unexercised in the trade of stealing, and so should be more gently punished. 2.

A field or vineyard, or orchard, or other things of like nature; which is generally to be observed in laws.

He that kindled the five, whether wilfully for such a purpose, or carelessly in such a time or place as was dangerous. He shall surely make restitution; which if he were not able to do, it is probable he was to be sold for it, as in like cases was provided.

Stuff, Heb. vessels, garments, utensils, or any kind of household stuff.

That they may examine all circumstances, and use all means to find out the truth, by offering him his oath, or otherwise. Unto his neighbour’s goods; either to take and reserve them for his own use, or to dispose of them to another for his own advantage.

All manner of trespass, to wit, about matters deposited upon trust, and lost, of which alone this place speaks. Which another challengeth to be his; or, when, or concerning which he shall say, This is it, viz.

To keep, as his servant, not freely, but for wages.

An oath of the Lord; so called here, as also 1 Kings 2:43, because it is taken by his authority and appointment, and for his honour, and in his name alone, God being made both witness, and judge, and avenger thereby. Shall be between them both, i.e.

From him, Heb. from with him, which is an emphatical expression, and notes that this was taken away, either, 1. From those things which were with him, or which were his, i.e. from the midst of his own goods, which supposeth fraud in him. Or, 2.

Let him bring it; it, i.e. some part of the torn creature, which the wild beast haply had left, Amos 3:11–12. Quest. What if the whole creature were carried away, as a sheep or lamb is sometimes by the wolf? Answ. 1.

Ought, i.e. any living thing, which may be hurt or die, as it follows. He shall surely make it good: this may seem hard, but all things considered is reasonable; because in doubtful cases, wherein it is not evident whether the borrower was faulty or not, as it is here, it ought to be interpreted in…

If the owner thereof be with it: the law reasonably presumes, both that the borrower would not abuse it in the sight of its owner, and that the lender might and would take due care about it.

If a man entice a maid, by persuasions, promise of marriage, allurements, or rewards. But if she were betrothed, it was punished with death, Deut. 22:23–24.

This shows the necessity of parents’ consent in marriage. According to the dowry of virgins, i.e. in such proportion as the virgin’s quality requires; for there was no certain and equal dowry appointed for all women. See Poole on 1 Sam. 18:25. Quest. Why is there no punishment for the woman? Answ.

i.e. Any person that is in league with the devil, and by his help either doth any mischief, or discovers and practices things above the reach of other men or women. Of which see Ex. 7:11, Lev. 20:27, Deut. 18:10, 1 Sam. 28:9.

Sacrificeth, or otherwise worshippeth, as appears from Deut. 17:2–5, and many other places. One act of worship put for all by a very familiar synecdoche. Destroyed, Heb. anathematized, i.e. esteemed execrable, and as such destroyed without mercy. See Deut. 13:15, Deut. 18:20.

Any of my people, i.e. any Israelite; for it was permitted to take usury of the Gentiles, Deut. 23:20. That is poor: this seems to be added not by way of apposition, as if God’s people and the poor were all one, because such are commonly poor; but by way of restriction; for God had promised greatly…

Thy neighbour’s; to wit, that is poor, as appears by comparing this with the next verse, where he is supposed to have but one garment, and with Deut. 24:12–13. By that the sun goeth down; because he speaks of such raiment or covering wherein he used to sleep, Ex. 22:27.

Gods; not gods falsely so called, as some would have it, as appears by 1 Kings 18:27, Jer. 10:11; but magistrates and governors, whether civil or ecclesiastical, as it is evident both from Acts 23:3–5 and from the following words, which explain the former, according to the common use of Scripture,…

Thou shalt not delay beyond the times appointed, lest this delay grow to a total neglect. And delay may here be put for neglect, as that word is used, Deut. 7:10, Deut. 23:21, Hab.

Likewise, i.e. ye shall offer their first-born. On the eighth day; not sooner, because it was till then tender and imperfect, and therefore not fit to be offered to God; but it was not tied to that day, for it might be offered afterwards, appears from Lev. 22:27, even till it was a year old.

Ye shall be holy, i.e. separated from all filthiness, both moral and ceremonial. Neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts; partly, because the blood was not taken out of it; partly, because the clean beast was ceremonially defiled by the touch of the unclean; and partly, to beget in…