Exodus 22

Exodus 22:1

FIve oxen] The punishment for stealing of an oxe is more grievous than for stealing of a sheep, because that in an oxe there is double dammage, of the beast it selfe, and of his service for plowing of the Land.

Exodus 22:2

There shall no bloud] The Italian hath it, There is no man-slaughter] This death ought not to be taken for wilfull murther, nor be capitall. For the darknesse which the thief hath chosen to do his evill deed in, doth take away the use of judgement; and hindereth a man from containing himselfe within the mederation of a plaine and harmelesse guard, and defence. And also because that the publick safety requires this freedom, against the breakers of civill society, declared to be such and condemned for such. And naturall reason suffereth one to oppose violence against violence, when the assistance of publick power cannot be craved, nor lent in time, as in the night. And finally, because as the uttermost assault may be feared from a thief, so one may withstand him without any restraint or respect.

Exodus 22:4

Found in his and] Having neither sold it, nor killed it, v. 1. and therefore he hath not shewed himself so hardened in his evill doing; and hath yet some hope that he would have restored voluntarily.

Exodus 22:5

Tole eaten] Not purposely, but through some inevitable neglect; for otherwise it would bee theft.

Exodus 22:6

The field] The stubble which remained in the mowed field, which was kept for divers uses, or all the other plants of a field He that kindled] Though he did it unawares.

Exodus 22:7

To keep] that is to say, left it as it were deposited.

Exodus 22:9

Challengeth to be his] The Italian hath it, This is it] This is mine which he hath in his hand, and there fore he must answer the robbery. Or this is he, this is the thief The Judges] which shall consider of the fact, and shall make enquiry thereof by each or otherwayes, without giving way for every one to right himself.And whom] Namely the accused, if he be convinced, for his theft: or the accuser, if he can not make good his accusation, for a slaunder, shall be punished Paena talionis.

Exodus 22:10

To keep] In the nature of shepheard, or a hired keeper No man seeing it]Secretly, while the beast was feeding in the field.

Exodus 22:11

Of the Lord] Framed in his name, and ordained by him, to determine uncertaine and doubtfull causes Shall accept] that is to say, shall submit unto it, and be quiet.

Exodus 22:12

From him] From home, or out of the flock which he was bound to watch, and provide for the safety of, and to make good any dammage as shall happen thorough his default.

Exodus 22:13

Let him bring it] Some peece as he can get again to witnesse the mischance, and his care, Amos 3:1-1512.

Exodus 22:15

Be with it] And have seen that it happened not through his neighbours default and that he could not help it, seeing the master himself could not help it It cme] It hath been a kinde of merchandizing, and no curtesie or favour done, in lending of it, wherefore he that had it, is not bound to pay for it, unlesse there were some default in him. Others have it let it go for his hire.

Exodus 22:16

Entice] With dallyings, and enticements, not by force as Deuteronomy 22:29. where both the case, and the Law for it are different Endow her] See Exodus 21:9

Exodus 22:17

According to] According as the custome is, or the Law; more or lesse, according to the proportion of the maidens qualities, or wealth: as may be gathered by the 1 Samuel 18:25.

Exodus 22:18

The witch] Any one that hath made a Covenant, or hath communication with the Divell: or any way practiseth divelish arts, to any end whatsoever: He specifieth the female sex, because that in it this kinde of evill is most frequent, and notwithstanding the frailty of it, it must not escape unpunished.

Exodus 22:20

Utterly destroyed] The Italian addeth, As Anathema] That is to say, accursed, and execrable, see Deuteronomy 18:21. 1 Corinthians 16:22.

Exodus 22:23

If thou afflict them] The Italian hath it, Beware of afflicting him] The Hebrew hath it, if thou afflict him, an abridged manner of forbidding, with an implied threate.

Exodus 22:25

Any of my people] by this word are oftentimes meant especially the poore, Psalms 14:4. Micah 2:9.

Exodus 22:26

Thy neighbours] Who is poore or needy.

Exodus 22:27

Wherein shall he] Or whereupon he lieth

Exodus 22:28

The ruler] The Italian hath it, He that is governour] that is to say, he that is the chief of the politick, or ecclesiasticall order.

Exodus 22:29

Of thy ripe fruits] The Italian hath it, Of thy vintage] The Hebrew, of thy fulnesse. It appeareth by Numb. 18. 27. Deuteronomy 22:9. that this word here meaneth the vintage, which runneth out in abundance, out of the wine presses, or fats As that which is afterwards spoken of oiles, is pointed out by the word of dropping, because they are pressed out drop after drop. Now this is specified, because, that the offerings, of the first fruits of corne, were at Pentecost: Exod. 23. 16. and 34. 2. Numb. 28. 26. but not them of liquors, and therefore God commandeth that it should not be maliciously, or negligently delayed.

Exodus 22:31

Holy men] Spiritually abstaining, and purifying your selves from sinne, and ceremonially, by abstaining from all such things, whereof I have declared the use to be uncleane.