10 "If a man gives his neighbor a donkey , an ox , a sheep , or any animal to keep for him, and it dies or is hurt or is driven away while no one is looking , 11 an oath before the Lord shall be made by the two of them that he has not laid hands on his neighbor's property ; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution . 12 "But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner . 13 "If it is all torn to pieces , let him bring it as evidence ; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces. 14 "If a man borrows anything from his neighbor , and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution . 15 "If its owner is with it, he shall not make restitution ; if it is hired , it came for its hire .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 22:10-15
Chapter Contents
Judicial laws.
The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the grace of God has indeed appeared to us, then it has taught us, and enabled us so to conduct ourselves by its holy power, that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, Titus 2:12. And the grace of God teaches us, that as the Lord is our portion, there is enough in him to satisfy all the desires of our souls.