Matthew Poole Commentary - Exodus 22:1 - 22:1

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Matthew Poole Commentary - Exodus 22:1 - 22:1


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

EXODUS CHAPTER 22



Of theft, Exo_22:1-4. Of eating another man’s vineyard, Exo_2:5 Of hurt coming by fire, Exo_22:6. Of hurt coming to goods committed to one’s trust, Exo_22:7-13. Of hurt befalling things borrowed, Exo_22:14,15. Of committing adultery, Exo_22:16,17. Of witchcraft, Exo_22:18. Of uncleanness with beasts, Exo_22:19. Of idolatry, Exo_22:20. That none shall hurt strangers or widows, Exo_22:21-24. Of unsury, Exo_22:25. Of pawning clothes, Exo_22:26,27. Of honouring magistrates, Exo_22:28. Of the first-fruits, Exo_22:29. Of eating flesh torn by beasts, Exo_22:31.



An ox, or a sheep; or, an ass, which is added Exo_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.



Or sell it, which was an aggravation of the crime, and a token of greater boldness, resolvedness, and expertness in the trade of thieving, than was in him who kept it at home, Exo_22:4.



Four sheep for a sheep.



Quest. 1. Why so much, seeing the stealer of other things was tied to restore but double?



Answ. 1. For terror, because these beasts being kept in the fields might more easily be stolen.



2. Because the loss of these was greater than of other things; for they did not only lose what the cattle might be sold for, but all the service, increase, and other benefits which a man might receive from them.



Quest. 2. Why more for oxen than for sheep?



Answ. 1. Because it argued greater boldness and customariness in the thief to steal that which might more easily be discovered.



2. Because besides the intrinsical worth of the ox, the labour of the ox was very considerable to his owner, Pro_14:4, and therefore the loss greater.