Exodus 22:1

Amharic Bible (መጽሐፍ ቅዱስ (የብሉይና የሐዲስ ኪዳን መጻሕፍት))

ሰው በሬ ወይም በግ ቢሰርቅ፥ ቢያርደው ወይም ቢሸጠው፥ በበሬው ፋንታ አምስት በሬዎች፥ በበጉም ፋንታ አራት በጎች ይክፈል።

What Does This Mean?

This verse states that if someone steals and then kills or sells an ox or a sheep, they must pay back five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. This law is from God, given through Moses, and emphasizes the importance of restitution and the value of livestock in ancient times.

Explained for Children

Imagine you borrow your friend's favorite toy and accidentally break it. Now, to make it right, you have to give them five of your toys if it's a big toy, or four if it's a smaller one. This verse teaches us about making things right when we do something wrong.

Historical Background

Exodus 22:1 is part of the Book of Exodus, written by Moses around 1446 BC. The text was given to the Israelites as part of the Mosaic Law, which provided a legal framework for their society. The verse reflects the economic importance of livestock in ancient agrarian societies.

Living It Out Today

In today's world, this principle can be applied to the concept of compensation in legal systems. For example, if someone is found guilty of a financial crime, they might have to pay back more than what they stole to cover the victim's losses and legal fees.

Topics

• justice
• restitution
• value
• ancient laws
• sheep
• ox

Related Verses

• Exodus 21:37
• Exodus 22:4
• Leviticus 6:1-5
• Matthew 18:21-35
• Luke 19:8

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the fivefold and fourfold restitution in Exodus 22:1?

The purpose is to ensure that the thief not only compensates the owner for the loss but also faces a significant penalty to deter future theft and emphasize the seriousness of the crime.

Does this law apply only to oxen and sheep?

The specific restitution ratios mentioned apply to oxen and sheep, but the principle of restitution and compensation applies broadly to other situations and items within the Mosaic Law.

How does this verse relate to modern legal systems?

This verse reflects a principle of compensation that can be seen in modern legal systems where the guilty party pays back more than what was stolen to cover damages and legal costs.

What can we learn about ancient Israelite society from this verse?

This verse highlights the importance of livestock in ancient Israelite society and the legal framework that aimed to maintain social order and justice among the people.