Exodus 22:7

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

«إنْ أعْطَى رَجُلٌ مَالًا أوْ بَضَائِعَ لِجَارِهِ لِيَحْتَفِظَ بِهَا لَهُ، وَسُرِقَتْ مِنْ بَيْتِ الرَّجُلِ، وَقُبِضَ عَلَى اللِّصِّ، يُعَوِّضُ اللِّصُّ عَنْهَا كُلِّهَا.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Exodus tells us that if you keep something valuable for a friend and it gets stolen, the thief must pay double if caught. It's about fairness and responsibility. Moses is speaking here, giving laws to the Israelites.

Explained for Children

Imagine you keep your friend's favorite toy safe for them. If someone steals it from your house, the thief has to give back two toys to make things right. This rule helps keep everyone honest and careful with others' stuff.

Historical Background

Moses wrote this part of Exodus around 1446-1406 BCE. It was written for the Israelites, who were recently freed from slavery in Egypt. The cultural setting emphasizes the importance of fairness and restitution in a community.

Living It Out Today

Imagine you're a landlord and your tenant leaves their bike with you while they're away. If the bike gets stolen from your property, and the thief is caught, this principle suggests the thief should compensate the tenant with another bike.

Topics

• justice
• responsibility
• stewardship
• fairness
• community
• restoration

Related Verses

• Exodus 21:37
• Exodus 22:9
• Matthew 5:38-42
• Luke 6:30-31
• Romans 13:8

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main message of Exodus 22:7?

The main message is about fairness and responsibility. If something valuable is stolen while in someone else's care, the thief must pay double.

How does this verse apply in modern times?

It can apply in situations like lost property in a rental or a lost item at a business, where the responsible party compensates the owner fairly.

Why is the thief required to pay double?

The double payment serves as a deterrent to theft and helps to restore the victim to a better position than they were in before the theft.

How does this verse relate to other Bible teachings?

It ties into broader themes of fairness, justice, and the principle of compensating victims, which are found in both Old and New Testaments.