Exodus 22:5 If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and allows them to stray so that they graze in someone else's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.

◄ Exodus 22:5 ►

New International Version
“If anyone grazes their livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in someone else’s field, the offender must make restitution from the best of their own field or vineyard.

New Living Translation
“If an animal is grazing in a field or vineyard and the owner lets it stray into someone else’s field to graze, then the animal’s owner must pay compensation from the best of his own grain or grapes.

English Standard Version
“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.

Berean Standard Bible
If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and allows them to stray so that they graze in someone else’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.

King James Bible
If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

New King James Version
“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

New American Standard Bible
“If someone lets a field or vineyard be grazed bare and lets his animal loose so that it grazes in another person’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

NASB 1995
“If a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed bare and lets his animal loose so that it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

NASB 1977
“If a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed bare and lets his animal loose so that it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

Legacy Standard Bible
“If a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed bare and lets his animal loose so that it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

Amplified Bible
“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed bare or lets his livestock loose so that it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

Christian Standard Bible
“When a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed in, and then allows his animals to go and graze in someone else’s field, he must repay with the best of his own field or vineyard.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed in, and then allows his animals to go and graze in someone else’s field, he must repay with the best of his own field or vineyard.”

American Standard Version
If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall let his beast loose, and it feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

Contemporary English Version
If you allow any of your animals to stray from your property and graze in someone else's field or vineyard, you must repay the damage from the best part of your own harvest of grapes and grain.

English Revised Version
If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall let his beast loose, and it feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Whenever someone lets his livestock graze in a field or a vineyard, and they stray and graze in another person's field, he must make up for what the damaged field was expected to produce. But if he lets them ruin the whole field with their grazing, he must make up from his own field for the loss with the best from his field and vineyard.

Good News Translation
"If someone lets his animals graze in a field or a vineyard and they stray away and eat up the crops growing in someone else's field, he must make good the loss with the crops from his own fields or vineyards.

International Standard Version
"When a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed over or releases his livestock so that they graze in another man's field, he is to make restitution from the best of his field or vineyard.

Majority Standard Bible
If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and allows them to stray so that they graze in someone else’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.

NET Bible
"If a man grazes his livestock in a field or a vineyard, and he lets the livestock loose and they graze in the field of another man, he must make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

New Heart English Bible
"If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten, and lets his animal loose, and it grazes in another man's field, he shall make restitution from his own field according to his produce; and if he shall have grazed over the whole field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.

Webster's Bible Translation
If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field: of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard shall he make restitution.

World English Bible
“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
When a man depastures a field or vineyard, and has sent out his beast, and it has pastured in the field of another, he repays [with] the best of his field, and the best of his vineyard.

Young's Literal Translation
When a man depastureth a field or vineyard, and hath sent out his beast, and it hath pastured in the field of another, of the best of his field, and the best of his vineyard, he doth repay.

Smith's Literal Translation
If a man shall feed a field or vineyard, and send forth the cattle and feed in another field: from the good of his field and from the good of his vineyard shall he recompense.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
If any man hurt a field or a vineyard, and put in his beast to feed upon that which is other men's: he shall restore the best of whatsoever he hath in his own field, or in his vineyard, according to the estimation of the damage.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If there is any damage to a field or a vineyard, when he has released his cattle to pasture on the land of a stranger, he shall repay the best of what he has in his own field, or in his own vineyard, according to the estimation of the damage.

New American Bible
When someone causes a field or a vineyard to be grazed over, by sending his cattle to graze in another’s field, he must make restitution with the best produce of his own field or vineyard.

New Revised Standard Version
When someone causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets livestock loose to graze in someone else’s field, restitution shall be made from the best in the owner’s field or vineyard.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
If a man shall cause a field or a vineyard to be eaten, and shall let his cattle loose to feed in another man's field, of the best of his own field and of the best of his own vineyard, he shall make restitution.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when a man will consume a field or a vineyard and will loose his cattle and will consume in another field, he shall pay from the good of his field and from the good of his vineyard.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
If a man cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall let his beast loose, and it feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if any one should feed down a field or a vineyard, and should send in his beast to feed down another field, he shall make compensation of his own field according to his produce; and if he shall have fed down the whole field, he shall pay for compensation the best of his own field and the best of his vineyard.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Property Laws
…4If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double. 5If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and allows them to stray so that they graze in someone else’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard. 6If a fire breaks out and spreads to thornbushes so that it consumes stacked or standing grain, or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Leviticus 24:18-21
Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life. / If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: / fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him. ...

Deuteronomy 22:1-4
If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; be sure to return it to your brother. / If 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. / And you shall do the same for his donkey, his cloak, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it. ...

Numbers 5:6-8
“Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty / and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged. / But if the man has no relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the LORD and must be given to the priest along with the ram of atonement, by which the atonement is made for him.

Leviticus 6:1-5
And the LORD said to Moses, / “If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him or stolen, or if he extorts his neighbor / or finds lost property and lies about it and swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that a man might commit— ...

Deuteronomy 19:14
You must not move your neighbor’s boundary marker, which was set up by your ancestors to mark the inheritance you shall receive in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.

Proverbs 28:24
He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Luke 19:8
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”

Romans 13:8-10
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

1 Corinthians 6:7-8
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? / Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers!

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Colossians 3:25
Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

James 5:4
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

Treasury of Scripture

If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

shall he make restitution

Exodus 22:3,12
If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft…

Exodus 21:34
The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

Job 20:18
That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein.

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Animal Beast Best Cattle Cause Causes Damage Eaten Feed Feeds Field Fire Graze Grazed Grazes Lets Makes Pasture Produce Restitution Stray Vineyard

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Exodus 22

1. Of Theft
5. Of damage
7. Of trespasses
14. Of borrowing
16. Of fornication
18. Of witchcraft
19. Of bestiality
20. Of idolatry
21. Of strangers, widows, and fatherless
25. Of usury
26. Of pledges
28. Of reverence to magistrates
29. Of the first fruits
31. Of torn flesh

Berean Study Bible

If a man grazes his livestock
This phrase introduces the scenario of a man managing his livestock, which in ancient Israel was a common occupation. The Hebrew word for "grazes" is "רָעָה" (ra'ah), meaning to pasture or tend. This reflects the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites, where livestock was a primary source of wealth and sustenance. The responsibility of the owner is emphasized, highlighting the importance of stewardship and care in one's duties.

in a field or vineyard
Fields and vineyards were vital components of the agricultural economy in ancient Israel. The Hebrew words "שָׂדֶה" (sadeh) for field and "כֶּרֶם" (kerem) for vineyard denote cultivated land used for growing crops and grapes, respectively. These lands were often family-owned and passed down through generations, symbolizing heritage and livelihood. The mention of both fields and vineyards underscores the diversity of agricultural practices and the value of these resources.

and allows them to stray
The phrase "allows them to stray" implies negligence or lack of vigilance on the part of the livestock owner. The Hebrew root "שָׁלַח" (shalach) can mean to send or let go, indicating a failure to control or supervise. This highlights the moral and ethical responsibility of individuals to prevent harm or loss to others through their actions or inactions.

so that they graze in another man’s field
This part of the verse addresses the consequence of negligence, where the livestock encroach upon another's property. The concept of private property was well-established in Israelite society, and respect for boundaries was crucial for maintaining community harmony. The encroachment signifies a breach of trust and respect, necessitating corrective action.

he must make restitution
Restitution is a key theme in biblical law, emphasizing justice and restoration. The Hebrew word "שִׁלֵּם" (shillem) means to make whole or compensate. This requirement reflects the biblical principle of fairness and the need to rectify wrongs, ensuring that the victim is compensated for their loss.

from the best of his own field or vineyard
The phrase "from the best of his own field or vineyard" underscores the quality of restitution required. The Hebrew word "מֵיטָב" (meitav) means the best or finest, indicating that compensation should not be minimal or inferior. This principle teaches the importance of generosity and integrity in making amends, reflecting God's standards of righteousness and justice.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) If a man shall cause a field . . . to be eaten.--On theft follows trespass, another injury to property. Two kinds of trespass alone are mentioned; but from these the principles to be followed in punishing trespass generally can be sufficiently made out. Accidental injury, such as that caused by fire extending from one man's field into another's, was to be simply compensated up to the amount of damage done; but voluntary injury, such as followed on the turning of beasts into a neighbour's ground, was to be more than compensated. The amount of produce destroyed was to be exactly calculated, and then the injurer was to make good the full amount of his neighbour's loss out of the best of his own produce.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 5, 6. - LAW OF TRESPASS. - Next to theft, and not much behind it, is the wanton damage of what belongs to another - as when a person injures his neighbour's crops, either by turning beasts into his field, or by causing a conflagration in it. To turn beasts in was the more determinedly malicious act, and therefore the damage done was to be compensated by making over to the injured party a like quantity of produce out of the best that a man was possessed of; whereas simple restitution, was sufficient when fire had spread accidentally from a man's own land to his neighbour's. We may conclude that if the trespass of the cattle were accidental, simple restitution sufficed; and if the fire were kindled of set purpose, the heavier rate of penalty was exacted. Verse 5. - If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten. - Rather "to be eaten of," or "to be browsed upon." And shall feed. - Rather, "and it shall feed." Of the best, etc. - This means that, without reference to the quality of the crop damaged, the injurer should forfeit an equal amount of his own best produce.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

If
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a man
אִישׁ֙ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

grazes his livestock
יַבְעֶר־ (yaḇ·‘er-)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1197: To kindle, consume, to be, brutish

in a field
שָׂדֶ֣ה (śā·ḏeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

or
אוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

vineyard
כֶ֔רֶם (ḵe·rem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard

and allows them
בְּעִיר֔וֹ (bə·‘î·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1165: Beasts, cattle

to stray
וְשִׁלַּח֙ (wə·šil·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

so that they graze
וּבִעֵ֖ר (ū·ḇi·‘êr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1197: To kindle, consume, to be, brutish

in someone else’s
אַחֵ֑ר (’a·ḥêr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other

field,
בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה (biś·ḏêh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land

he must make restitution
יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ (yə·šal·lêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

from the best
מֵיטַ֥ב (mê·ṭaḇ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4315: The best part

of his own field
שָׂדֵ֛הוּ (śā·ḏê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

or vineyard.
כַּרְמ֖וֹ (kar·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard

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OT Law: Exodus 22:5 If a man causes a field (Exo. Ex)