The language of ivrit ( עברית ) Exodus 22, Post #1
Published on HivePostify by @hebrew · Fri Aug 28 2026
Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Exodus 22:1-5
Resolving accidents...
Welcome to Chapter 22 which is leading seamlessly into an Animal Rights layout on what they can or cannot do. But instead of an HOA ruling on these disputes, Elohim (God) is literally writing the book on crimes and penalties related to all of the disputes that will happen between men. It is all part of the Torah which translates "Law" and quite often "Instruction" during my time reading.
Those penalties are getting stiff. An ox is stolen and killed or sold, the thief has to pay five oxen per ox he stole. If He steals a sheep, same thing but he need only pay four sheep to the victim of the theft.
Breaking and entering. If the thief is caught entering and gets hit and dies. There is no punishment as is the case in The USA in most states. That in itself is reason enough to skip a career as a burglar. There is a clause that say if the sun comes up and shown on the burglar's body, there is bloodguilt and he, the owner of the house that was broken into, must pay. If he cannot pay, then he is to be sold for his theft.
Break. This is one of those times where I tell you how people were given loans when they needed money and they would be a servant for six years and then let go. The word for this service was servant in all cases but someone assumed it was slavery and wrote that word.
So, let's say that the animal thief does not kill or sell what he has stolen. He gets caught with the animal (ox, sheep or donkey), then he has to pay double
If a man sends his beast to graze on someone else's field or vineyard, even if the animal got loose and wondered over there, the victim of that damage will receive restitution from the best of the field or vineyard of the irresponsible owner of the animal.
Counting the rules past 'ten'. Our General list is up to 35. And our Strict list is at 77.
Today's Reading
English
"If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.
"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
Hebrew
Next week, fire in the fields...
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Shabbat Shalom
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