15 But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss.
15 But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.
15 If the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution; if it was hired, it came for its hiring fee.
15 But if the owner was with it, he doesn't have to pay. If the animal was hired, the payment covers the loss.
15 If its owner was with it, he shall not make it good; if it was hired, it came for its hire.
15 But if the owner was present, no compensation is required. And no compensation is required if the animal was rented, for this loss is covered by the rental fee.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 22:15
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.