Exodus 22:12 states: "But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner."
This verse refers to a situation where someone has borrowed an animal from their neighbor and the animal is then stolen. In this scenario, the borrower is held liable for the loss of the animal and must compensate the owner for its value.
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"But if it is stolen from him...": This clause sets the condition: the animal that was borrowed is taken by theft, not lost due to natural causes or the borrower's negligence.
"...he shall make restitution to its owner.": This is the consequence: the borrower is responsible for paying the owner back for the loss of the stolen animal. "Restitution" means to compensate the owner for the loss.
In essence, the verse establishes that the borrower is liable for theft when they have borrowed something, and in such cases, they must pay the owner for the loss.
Context and Interpretation:
The verses surrounding this verse in Exodus 22 discuss various scenarios involving borrowing and lending, emphasizing responsibility and fairness. This specific verse highlights that borrowers cannot simply claim that the item was stolen and avoid accountability. They are responsible for safeguarding what they borrow, and if theft occurs, they must compensate the owner, indicating a level of responsibility even against unforeseen circumstances like theft.
This law likely aimed to deter carelessness in borrowing and to ensure that owners were protected against the loss of their property, even when it was temporarily in someone else's possession.
Exodus 22:12 states: "But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner."
This verse refers to a situation where someone has borrowed an animal from their neighbor and the animal is then stolen. In this scenario, the borrower is held liable for the loss of the animal and must compensate the owner for its value.
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"But if it is stolen from him...": This clause sets the condition: the animal that was borrowed is taken by theft, not lost due to natural causes or the borrower's negligence.
"...he shall make restitution to its owner.": This is the consequence: the borrower is responsible for paying the owner back for the loss of the stolen animal. "Restitution" means to compensate the owner for the loss.
In essence, the verse establishes that the borrower is liable for theft when they have borrowed something, and in such cases, they must pay the owner for the loss.
Context and Interpretation:
The verses surrounding this verse in Exodus 22 discuss various scenarios involving borrowing and lending, emphasizing responsibility and fairness. This specific verse highlights that borrowers cannot simply claim that the item was stolen and avoid accountability. They are responsible for safeguarding what they borrow, and if theft occurs, they must compensate the owner, indicating a level of responsibility even against unforeseen circumstances like theft.
This law likely aimed to deter carelessness in borrowing and to ensure that owners were protected against the loss of their property, even when it was temporarily in someone else's possession.