Deuteronomy 22:2
Deuteronomy 22:2 in Multiple Translations
If your brother does not live near you, or if you do not know who he is, you are to take the animal home to remain with you until your brother comes seeking it; then you can return it to him.
And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.
And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it home to thy house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him.
If their owner is not near, or if you are not certain who he is, then take the beast to your house and keep it till its owner comes in search of it, and then you are to give it back to him.
If its owner doesn't live near you, or if you don't know who it is, take the animal home with you and keep it until the owner comes looking, then you can return it.
And if thy brother bee not neere vnto thee, or if thou knowe him not, then thou shalt bring it into thine house, and it shall remaine with thee, vntill thy brother seeke after it: then shalt thou deliuer it to him againe.
and if thy brother [is] not near unto thee, and thou hast not known him, then thou hast removed it unto the midst of thy house, and it hath been with thee till thy brother seek it, and thou hast given it back to him;
If your brother isn’t near to you, or if you don’t know him, then you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall be with you until your brother comes looking for it, and you shall restore it to him.
And if thy brother shall not be nigh to thee, or if thou shalt not know him, then thou shalt bring it to thy own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother shall seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.
And if thy brother be not nigh, or thou know him not: thou shalt bring them to thy house, and they shall be with thee until thy brother seek them, and receive them.
But if the owner does not live near you, or if you do not know who the owner is, take the animal to your house. It can stay with you until the owner comes, searching for it. Then you must give the animal to him.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 22:2
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Deuteronomy 22:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 22:2
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 22:2
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 22:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 22:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 22:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:2
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 22:2
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 22:2
Context — Various Laws
2If your brother does not live near you, or if you do not know who he is, you are to take the animal home to remain with you until your brother comes seeking it; then you can return it to him.
3And you shall do the same for his donkey, his cloak, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it. 4If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 7:12 | In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. |
| 2 | 1 Thessalonians 4:6 | and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you. |
Deuteronomy 22:2 Summary
Deuteronomy 22:2 teaches us that if we find something that belongs to someone else, we should try to return it to them, even if we do not know who they are. This shows that God cares about honesty, kindness, and taking care of others' property, as seen in other verses like Exodus 20:15 and Luke 10:25-37. By following this command, we demonstrate our love for God and for our neighbors, and we can trust that God will guide us in doing what is right. This principle can be applied to many areas of life, reminding us to always act with integrity and compassion, just as God does.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I find a lost animal that belongs to someone I do not know?
According to Deuteronomy 22:2, if you do not know who the owner is, you are to take the animal home to remain with you until the owner comes seeking it, then you can return it to them, as an act of kindness and obedience to God's commands, similar to the principle found in Exodus 23:4-5.
Is this verse only talking about animals, or are there other applications?
While Deuteronomy 22:2 specifically mentions an animal, the principle of returning lost property to its owner can be applied to other situations, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:3, which mentions returning a lost cloak or other items, demonstrating God's care for all aspects of life, as taught in Matthew 22:37-40.
How does this verse relate to being a good neighbor and showing love?
Deuteronomy 22:2 shows that being a good neighbor involves being mindful of others' property and taking initiative to return what is lost, demonstrating the kind of love and compassion that Jesus taught in Luke 10:25-37, where loving our neighbors as ourselves is a fundamental aspect of following God's commands.
What if the owner never comes to claim their lost animal, what should I do then?
The Bible does not provide a specific time limit for keeping the animal, but the principle of Deuteronomy 22:2 suggests that you should keep it safe until the owner comes, and if the owner is never found, you may need to seek guidance from local authorities or community leaders, always remembering to act with integrity and honesty, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of returning lost property to its owner in my daily life, and how can I show love and kindness to those around me?
- How can I balance the responsibility of taking care of someone else's property with my own needs and priorities, and what does this say about my trust in God's provision?
- In what ways can I demonstrate the heart of a good neighbor, as described in Deuteronomy 22:2, and how can I be more mindful of the needs and struggles of those around me?
- What does this verse teach me about God's character and His desire for me to act with kindness, compassion, and integrity, and how can I reflect these qualities in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 22:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 22:2
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:2
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:2
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 22:2
Sermons on Deuteronomy 22:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Mental Attitude by Kathryn Kuhlman | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of one's attitude in shaping their life. He quotes Proverbs 23:7, which states that as a person thinks in their heart, so the |
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The Key to Understanding by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of loving and serving others as a reflection of our love for God. He emphasizes that individuals make up nations, and therefore |
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The Enemy of the Cross by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the speaker begins by praying for understanding and guidance from God. He then reads from Luke chapter 14, where Jesus speaks about the requirements of being his di |
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The Gospel, Possessions and Prosperity - Session 3 by David Platt | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of our use of money in demonstrating where our heart is. He encourages the congregation to examine their checkbooks and budge |
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Two Types of Believers in the Last Days -Part 1 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of obedience to God in the face of deception. He highlights that knowledge alone will not help us stand in times of great dece |
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(The Truth Will Set You Free) Freedom From the Curse by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and fairness, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. He warns against speaking evil a |
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False Prophets by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of living according to the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount. He emphasizes that many of the disasters in life stem from no |






