This verse from Exodus 22:10 outlines a legal responsibility placed upon someone entrusted with the care of an animal belonging to another person. It deals specifically with situations where the animal is lost, injured, or dies without any witnesses to the circumstances.
Here's a breakdown of the verse:
"If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep...": This sets up the scenario where someone (the "bailee") is asked to care for another person's (the "bailor") animal. It covers a variety of common livestock.
"...and it dies or is injured, or driven away...": This lists the possible misfortunes that can befall the animal while in the care of the bailee. This could be due to natural causes, accident, or theft.
"...no man seeing it;": This is the crucial part. It means there are no witnesses to how the animal was lost, hurt, or died. This lack of eyewitnesses is what triggers the specific legal ruling.
What it means legally:
Without witnesses, it becomes impossible to know if the bailee was negligent (e.g., didn't provide proper food or shelter, left the animal unattended and it was stolen) or if the loss was due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., a natural disaster, a wild animal attack). In the absence of evidence, the law would typically require the bailee to take an oath swearing that they were not responsible for the loss.
Implications and Context:
Protection Against False Accusations: The law aimed to protect the bailee from false accusations. Without a witness, it would be easy for the bailor to suspect negligence.
Importance of Oath: The oath served as a solemn declaration before God. In that time, it was believed that divine punishment would befall those who swore falsely.
Emphasis on Trust and Honesty: This law highlights the importance of trust within the community. The legal system relied on people's word and reputation.
Limited Legal Capacity: The law lacks a robust system of gathering evidence and investigation that is known today. Thus, witnesses became an important factor in deciding legal rulings.
In essence, this verse lays out a legal principle governing the responsibility of someone entrusted with another person's animal when the animal is lost, injured, or dies without any witnesses to the event. It places the burden on the bailee to swear an oath of innocence.
This verse from Exodus 22:10 outlines a legal responsibility placed upon someone entrusted with the care of an animal belonging to another person. It deals specifically with situations where the animal is lost, injured, or dies without any witnesses to the circumstances.
Here's a breakdown of the verse:
"If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep...": This sets up the scenario where someone (the "bailee") is asked to care for another person's (the "bailor") animal. It covers a variety of common livestock.
"...and it dies or is injured, or driven away...": This lists the possible misfortunes that can befall the animal while in the care of the bailee. This could be due to natural causes, accident, or theft.
"...no man seeing it;": This is the crucial part. It means there are no witnesses to how the animal was lost, hurt, or died. This lack of eyewitnesses is what triggers the specific legal ruling.
What it means legally:
Without witnesses, it becomes impossible to know if the bailee was negligent (e.g., didn't provide proper food or shelter, left the animal unattended and it was stolen) or if the loss was due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., a natural disaster, a wild animal attack). In the absence of evidence, the law would typically require the bailee to take an oath swearing that they were not responsible for the loss.
Implications and Context:
Protection Against False Accusations: The law aimed to protect the bailee from false accusations. Without a witness, it would be easy for the bailor to suspect negligence.
Importance of Oath: The oath served as a solemn declaration before God. In that time, it was believed that divine punishment would befall those who swore falsely.
Emphasis on Trust and Honesty: This law highlights the importance of trust within the community. The legal system relied on people's word and reputation.
Limited Legal Capacity: The law lacks a robust system of gathering evidence and investigation that is known today. Thus, witnesses became an important factor in deciding legal rulings.
In essence, this verse lays out a legal principle governing the responsibility of someone entrusted with another person's animal when the animal is lost, injured, or dies without any witnesses to the event. It places the burden on the bailee to swear an oath of innocence.