Deuteronomy 22:1
New International Version
If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner.

New Living Translation
“If you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep or goat wandering away, don’t ignore your responsibility. Take it back to its owner.

English Standard Version
“You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother.

Berean Standard Bible
If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; be sure to return it to your brother.

King James Bible
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.

New King James Version
“You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother.

New American Standard Bible
“You shall not see your countryman’s ox or his sheep straying away, and avoid them; you shall certainly bring them back to your countryman.

NASB 1995
“You shall not see your countryman’s ox or his sheep straying away, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly bring them back to your countryman.

NASB 1977
“You shall not see your countryman’s ox or his sheep straying away, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly bring them back to your countryman.

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep straying away and ignore them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother.

Amplified Bible
“You shall not see your countryman’s ox or his sheep straying away or being stolen, and ignore [your duty to help] them; you shall certainly take them back to him.

Christian Standard Bible
“If you see your brother Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it; make sure you return it to your brother.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; make sure you return it to your brother.

American Standard Version
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely bring them again unto thy brother.

Contemporary English Version
If you see a cow or sheep wandering around lost, take the animal back to its owner.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely bring them again unto thy brother.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you see another Israelite's ox or sheep out where it doesn't belong, don't pretend that you don't see it. Make sure you take it back.

Good News Translation
"If you see an Israelite's cow or sheep running loose, do not ignore it; take it back.

International Standard Version
"When you see the ox or sheep of your fellow countryman straying, don't go away and leave them. Instead, be sure to return them to him.

Majority Standard Bible
If you see your brother?s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; be sure to return it to your brother.

NET Bible
When you see your neighbor's ox or sheep going astray, do not ignore it; you must return it without fail to your neighbor.

New Heart English Bible
You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide yourself from them: you shall surely bring them again to your brother.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again to thy brother.

World English Bible
You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them. You shall surely bring them again to your brother.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“You do not see the ox of your brother or his sheep driven away, and have hidden yourself from them, you certainly turn them back to your brother;

Young's Literal Translation
'Thou dost not see the ox of thy brother or his sheep driven away, and hast hidden thyself from them, thou dost certainly turn them back to thy brother;

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not see the ox of thy brother or his sheep wandering, and thou shalt not hide from them: turning back, thou shalt turn them back to thy brother.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt not pass by if thou seest thy brother's ox, or his sheep go astray: but thou shalt bring them back to thy brother.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“If you see your brother’s ox or sheep wander astray, you shall not pass by. Instead, you shall lead them back to your brother.

New American Bible
You shall not see your neighbor’s ox or sheep going astray and ignore it; you must bring it back.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not watch your neighbor’s ox or sheep straying away and ignore them; you shall take them back to their owner.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
YOU shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and disregard them; but you shall surely bring them back to your brother.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
"You shall not see the ox of your brother or his ewe when they stray and ignore them, but surely return them to your brother.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep driven away, and hide thyself from them; thou shalt surely bring them back unto thy brother.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
When thou seest the calf of thy brother or his sheep wandering in the way, thou shalt not overlook them; thou shalt by all means turn them back to thy brother, and thou shalt restore them to him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Various Laws
1If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; be sure to return it to your brother. 2If your brother does not live near you, or if you do not know who he is, you are to take the animal home to remain with you until your brother comes seeking it; then you can return it to him.…

Cross References
Exodus 23:4
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.

Leviticus 19:17-18
You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. / Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Proverbs 24:11-12
Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. / If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

Matthew 18:12-14
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Luke 15:4-7
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ...

Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Philippians 2:4
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 John 3:17-18
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

Exodus 23:5
If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Leviticus 6:3-4
or finds lost property and lies about it and swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that a man might commit— / once he has sinned and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found,

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Romans 12:20
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.


Treasury of Scripture

You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide yourself from them: you shall in any case bring them again to your brother.

Thou shalt

Exodus 23:4
If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.

Ezekiel 34:4,16
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them…

Matthew 10:6
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

hide thyself

Deuteronomy 22:3,4
In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself…

Leviticus 20:4
And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:

Proverbs 24:11
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

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Deuteronomy 22
1. Of humanity toward brothers
5. The sex is to be distinguished by apparel
6. The bird is not to be taken with her young ones
8. The house must have battlements
9. Confusion is to be avoided
12. Tassels upon the vesture
13. The punishment of him who slanders his wife
22. of adultery
23. of rape
28. of fornication
30. of incest














If you see
The Hebrew word for "see" is "ra'ah," which implies not just a casual glance but a deliberate observation. This word suggests an active engagement with the world around us, encouraging believers to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings. In a spiritual sense, it calls Christians to be attentive to the needs and situations of others, reflecting God's omniscient nature.

your brother’s
The term "brother" here, "ach" in Hebrew, extends beyond biological relationships to include fellow members of the community. This broad definition emphasizes the importance of communal responsibility and care. In the Christian context, it reminds us of the familial bond shared among believers, as we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, called to love and support one another.

ox or sheep
These animals were valuable assets in ancient agrarian societies, representing wealth and livelihood. The mention of "ox or sheep" underscores the importance of protecting and preserving what is valuable to others. Spiritually, it can be seen as a call to safeguard the spiritual and material well-being of our neighbors, recognizing the intrinsic value of their possessions and lives.

straying
The Hebrew word "nadach" means to wander or be led astray. This term can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. It highlights the human tendency to drift away from the right path, whether physically, morally, or spiritually. Christians are reminded of their duty to guide and restore those who have wandered, reflecting the shepherd-like care of Jesus.

you must not ignore it
The phrase "must not ignore" translates from the Hebrew "lo tuchal lehit'aleim," which means you cannot hide yourself or pretend not to see. This commandment is a call to action, urging believers to confront issues directly and compassionately. It challenges Christians to reject apathy and engage actively in the lives of others, embodying the love and concern of Christ.

be sure to return it
The directive to "return" uses the Hebrew "shuv," which means to restore or bring back. This action is not just about physical restitution but also about restoring relationships and community harmony. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the redemptive work of Christ, who restores us to right relationship with God and each other.

to your brother
Reiterating the familial term "brother," this phrase reinforces the idea of community and mutual responsibility. It serves as a reminder that our actions should always aim to strengthen and support the bonds within the body of Christ. Christians are called to act in love and integrity, ensuring that their actions reflect the unity and care that God desires for His people.

XXII.

Deuteronomy 22:1-4. LOST PROPERTY.

(1) Go astray.--Literally, being driven away, as by wild beasts (Jeremiah 1:17), or by robbers. It is not simply straying. "I will seek that which was lost and bring again that which was driven away" (Ezekiel 34:16), and so in many other passages.

Thou shalt not . . . hide thyself from them.--Comp. Proverbs 24:12. "If thou sayest, Behold we knew it not . . . doth not He know it?" And Isaiah 58:7, "that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh." . . .

Verse 1. - Go astray; wandering at large. The Hebrew verb means primarily to seduce, draw aside, or entice (cf. Deuteronomy 13:6); and in the passive conveys the idea of wandering through being drawn away by some enticement. Hide thyself from them; i.e. withdraw thyself from them, avoid noticing them or having to do with them. In any case; certainly, without fail.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If you see
תִרְאֶה֩ (ṯir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

your brother’s
אָחִ֜יךָ (’ā·ḥî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

ox
שׁ֨וֹר (šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

or
א֤וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

sheep
שֵׂיוֹ֙ (śê·yōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7716: A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat

straying,
נִדָּחִ֔ים (nid·dā·ḥîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5080: To impel, thrust, banish

you must not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

ignore it;
וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֖ (wə·hiṯ·‘al·lam·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5956: To veil from sight, conceal

be sure to return it
הָשֵׁ֥ב (hā·šêḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to your brother.
לְאָחִֽיךָ׃ (lə·’ā·ḥî·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 22:1 You shall not see your brother's ox (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 21:23
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