Exodus 22:11 - the oath of Yahweh shall be between them both, whether he hasn’t put his hand to his neighbor’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.
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What does "Exodus 22:11" mean?
This verse (Exodus 22:11) is part of a legal code dealing with situations of lost or stolen property, specifically when the alleged thief claims innocence. Let's break it down:
"The oath of Yahweh shall be between them both": This means a formal, legally binding oath sworn in the name of God (Yahweh) is to be taken. This oath is the critical point of contention and the key to the legal resolution. It elevates the truthfulness of the claim to a sacred level, theoretically discouraging false oaths.
"Whether he hasn’t put his hand to his neighbor’s goods": This is the content of the oath. The person accused of theft must swear that they did not steal the missing property ("neighbor’s goods"). Essentially, they're declaring their innocence under oath.
"And its owner shall accept it": If the accused takes the oath truthfully (according to the verse's intention), the owner of the lost or stolen goods must accept the oath as truth. They have no further legal recourse against the accused.
"And he shall not make restitution": Because the accused has sworn an oath of innocence, and the owner is compelled to accept it, the accused is not required to pay back or replace the missing property (i.e., no restitution is necessary).
In simpler terms:
If someone is accused of stealing something, but they claim they didn't do it, they can swear an oath in God's name to that effect. If they do so, the owner of the lost item has to accept their word and cannot demand that they pay for the loss.
Important Points & Context:
Purpose: This verse provided a method for resolving property disputes when there was no clear evidence of theft. It aimed to avoid escalation of conflict and protect the accused from false accusations, assuming the fear of divine punishment would deter perjury.
Trust and Sacredness: The system relied on the belief that people would be hesitant to lie under oath to God. The oath was a solemn and serious act.
Limitations: This system was imperfect, as it relied on the individual's conscience. There was always the possibility of a false oath. Also, some translations interpret this section slightly differently, influencing nuances of legal interpretation.
Broader Context: This verse is part of a larger section of Exodus (Exodus 22) that outlines various laws and principles related to property rights, damages, and responsibilities within the Israelite community. It's important to read it in that broader context to understand its full significance.
In conclusion, Exodus 22:11 provides a mechanism for resolving property disputes when the accused claims innocence. It uses a sacred oath to determine the outcome, relying on the belief in divine justice to enforce truthfulness. It's important to understand the cultural and religious context to fully grasp its meaning.
Exodus 22:11 - the oath of Yahweh shall be between them both, whether he hasn’t put his hand to his neighbor’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.
What does "Exodus 22:11" mean?
This verse (Exodus 22:11) is part of a legal code dealing with situations of lost or stolen property, specifically when the alleged thief claims innocence. Let's break it down:
"The oath of Yahweh shall be between them both": This means a formal, legally binding oath sworn in the name of God (Yahweh) is to be taken. This oath is the critical point of contention and the key to the legal resolution. It elevates the truthfulness of the claim to a sacred level, theoretically discouraging false oaths.
"Whether he hasn’t put his hand to his neighbor’s goods": This is the content of the oath. The person accused of theft must swear that they did not steal the missing property ("neighbor’s goods"). Essentially, they're declaring their innocence under oath.
"And its owner shall accept it": If the accused takes the oath truthfully (according to the verse's intention), the owner of the lost or stolen goods must accept the oath as truth. They have no further legal recourse against the accused.
"And he shall not make restitution": Because the accused has sworn an oath of innocence, and the owner is compelled to accept it, the accused is not required to pay back or replace the missing property (i.e., no restitution is necessary).
In simpler terms:
If someone is accused of stealing something, but they claim they didn't do it, they can swear an oath in God's name to that effect. If they do so, the owner of the lost item has to accept their word and cannot demand that they pay for the loss.
Important Points & Context:
Purpose: This verse provided a method for resolving property disputes when there was no clear evidence of theft. It aimed to avoid escalation of conflict and protect the accused from false accusations, assuming the fear of divine punishment would deter perjury.
Trust and Sacredness: The system relied on the belief that people would be hesitant to lie under oath to God. The oath was a solemn and serious act.
Limitations: This system was imperfect, as it relied on the individual's conscience. There was always the possibility of a false oath. Also, some translations interpret this section slightly differently, influencing nuances of legal interpretation.
Broader Context: This verse is part of a larger section of Exodus (Exodus 22) that outlines various laws and principles related to property rights, damages, and responsibilities within the Israelite community. It's important to read it in that broader context to understand its full significance.
In conclusion, Exodus 22:11 provides a mechanism for resolving property disputes when the accused claims innocence. It uses a sacred oath to determine the outcome, relying on the belief in divine justice to enforce truthfulness. It's important to understand the cultural and religious context to fully grasp its meaning.