Exodus 22:5 - “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 the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.
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What does "Exodus 22:5" mean?
This verse from Exodus 22:5 outlines the responsibility of a person whose animal damages another person's crops. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten...": This sets the scenario. Someone owns an animal (like cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) and, due to their negligence, that animal ends up eating crops in someone else's field or vineyard. The key word is "causes," implying that the owner is responsible for controlling their animal.
"...and lets his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field...": This elaborates on the scenario. The animal has been allowed to roam freely (either intentionally or through negligence) and ends up grazing (eating) in someone else's cultivated land.
"...he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.": This is the core of the rule: The person whose animal caused the damage must compensate the victim. The compensation isn't just any amount, but the best produce from their own field or vineyard. This means the compensation should be of equal or greater value to the damaged crops, compensating the victim for their loss and ensuring fairness.
In simpler terms: If your animal wanders into your neighbor's field and eats their crops because you didn't properly contain it, you have to pay them back with the best crops from your own land.
Key principles illustrated by this verse:
Personal Responsibility: Owners are responsible for the actions of their animals.
Compensation for Damages: Those who cause damage must provide restitution to the injured party.
Fairness: The compensation should be of good quality, likely to adequately cover the damages.
Deterrence: By requiring payment from the "best" of the offender's land, the law discourages negligence in animal husbandry.
This law emphasizes the importance of taking care of your property to prevent harm to others and stresses the need for fairness and justice within the community.
Exodus 22:5 - “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 the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.
What does "Exodus 22:5" mean?
This verse from Exodus 22:5 outlines the responsibility of a person whose animal damages another person's crops. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten...": This sets the scenario. Someone owns an animal (like cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) and, due to their negligence, that animal ends up eating crops in someone else's field or vineyard. The key word is "causes," implying that the owner is responsible for controlling their animal.
"...and lets his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field...": This elaborates on the scenario. The animal has been allowed to roam freely (either intentionally or through negligence) and ends up grazing (eating) in someone else's cultivated land.
"...he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.": This is the core of the rule: The person whose animal caused the damage must compensate the victim. The compensation isn't just any amount, but the best produce from their own field or vineyard. This means the compensation should be of equal or greater value to the damaged crops, compensating the victim for their loss and ensuring fairness.
In simpler terms: If your animal wanders into your neighbor's field and eats their crops because you didn't properly contain it, you have to pay them back with the best crops from your own land.
Key principles illustrated by this verse:
Personal Responsibility: Owners are responsible for the actions of their animals.
Compensation for Damages: Those who cause damage must provide restitution to the injured party.
Fairness: The compensation should be of good quality, likely to adequately cover the damages.
Deterrence: By requiring payment from the "best" of the offender's land, the law discourages negligence in animal husbandry.
This law emphasizes the importance of taking care of your property to prevent harm to others and stresses the need for fairness and justice within the community.