Exodus 22:8
◄  Exodus 22:8  ►
New International Version (©2011)
But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges, and they must determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person's property.

New Living Translation (©2007)
But if the thief is not caught, the neighbor must appear before God, who will determine if he stole the property.

English Standard Version (©2001)
If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"If the thief is not caught, then the owner of the house shall appear before the judges, to determine whether he laid his hands on his neighbor's property.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house must present himself to the judges to determine whether or not he has taken his neighbor's property.

International Standard Version (©2012)
If the thief is not found, the owner of the house is to appear before the judges to see whether or not the thief took his neighbor's property.

NET Bible (©2006)
If the thief is not caught, then the owner of the house will be brought before the judges to see whether he has laid his hand on his neighbor's goods.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house must be brought to God to find out whether or not he took his neighbor's valuables.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he has put his hand unto his neighbor's goods.

American King James Version
If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges, to see whether he have put his hand to his neighbor's goods.

American Standard Version
If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall come near unto God, to see whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods.

Douay-Rheims Bible
If the thief be not known, the master of the house shall be brought to the gods, and shall swear that he did not lay his hand upon his neighbour's goods,

Darby Bible Translation
if the thief be not found, the master of the house shall be brought before the judges, to see if he has not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.

English Revised Version
If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall come near unto God, to see whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.

Webster's Bible Translation
If the thief shall not be found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges, to see whether he hath put his hand to his neighbor's goods.

World English Bible
If the thief isn't found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out if he hasn't put his hand to his neighbor's goods.

Young's Literal Translation
'If the thief is not found, then the master of the house hath been brought near unto God, whether he hath not put forth his hand against the work of his neighbour;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

22; 1 - 31 Judicial laws. - The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the grace of God has indeed appeared to us, then it has taught us, and enabled us so to conduct ourselves by its holy power, that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, Titus 2:12. And the grace of God teaches us, that as the Lord is our portion, there is enough in him to satisfy all the desires of our souls.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - If the thief be not found. - It is not clear what was to be done in this case. Kalisch supposes that it came under the law of the oath (ver. 10), and that if the man entrusted with the deposit swore that he had not embezzled it, he was let go free. But as stolen cattle were to be compensated for to the owner (ver. 12), it would seem to be more consistent that stolen money or chattels should also have been made good.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

If the thief be not found,.... And so no account can be given of the goods deposited, what is become of them, and it becomes a doubtful case whether they have been stolen or embezzled, and there is suspicion of the latter:

then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges: here called Elohim, gods, because they were God's vicegerents, and represented him, and acted under his power and authority; and who at this present were Moses, and those that judged the people under him, and afterwards the seventy elders, and all such who in succeeding times were judges in Israel, and bore the office of civil magistrates; before these the master of the house, or the person who had any goods committed to his care, and they were lost, was to be brought and put to his oath, and upon it examined, in order to find out what was become of the goods committed to him: to see whether he has put his hand to his neighbour's goods: took them to himself, made use of them, or disposed of them to his own advantage, and which was no other than a kind of theft.

Exodus 22:8 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Property Laws
…7If a man shall deliver to his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. 8If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges, to see whether he have put his hand to his neighbor's goods. 9For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing which another challenges to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double to his neighbor. …

Exodus 22:9 In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, 'This is mine,' both parties are to bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to the other.
Deuteronomy 17:8 If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge--whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults--take them to the place the LORD your God will choose.
Deuteronomy 17:9 Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.
Deuteronomy 19:17 the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time.
1 Kings 8:31 "When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath before your altar in this temple,
Psalm 82:1 A psalm of Asaph. God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the "gods":