Ver. 1. If a man shall steal, &c.] The Persians at this day punish theft and manslaughter so severely, that in an age a man shall hardly hear either of the one or the other. The Turk’s justice will rather cut off two innocent men than let one thief escape. The Preacher’s Travels, by J. Cartwright.
Ver. 2. If a thief be found.] So, if an adulteress be taken, -as she was in John 8:4, -επαυτοφωρω, in the very act. llll Ver. 3. If the sun be risen.] Chaldee hath it, If the eye of witnesses: if he can raise the town, and call in aid.
Ver. 4. He shall restore double.] In Solomon’s time it was sevenfold. (Proverbs 6:31)
Ver. 5. To be eaten.] By unadvised turning in of his cattle, through mistake or neglect.
Ver. 6. Or the field.] The stubble.
Ver. 7. Or stuff.] Heb., Vessels, instruments, ornaments, apparel, furniture, weapons, &c.
Ver. 8. To see whether,] sc., By putting him to his oath. (Exodus 22:11) Some think that a private oath may be in such a case as this lawfully taken for the satisfaction of another, if he will not otherwise be satisfied.
Ver. 9. Before the judges.] Heb., The gods: so judges are called, if good especially. (Psalms 82:6) And the seat of judicature is called the holy place. (Ecclesiastes 8:10)
Ver. 10. Or any beast, to keep.] As Jacob kept Laban’s cattle. (Genesis 31:39)
Ver. 11. An oath of the Lord.] Who is called in as a witness and as an avenger. How hateful, then, is that Popish proverb and practice, Mercatorum est, non regum, stare iuramentis.
Ver. 12. If it be stolen,] sc., Through his carelessness. Poor Jacob had hard law. (Genesis 31:39)
Ver. 13. Let him bring it.] A leg, or a limb of it, as Amos 3:12.
Ver. 14. And if a man borrow.] God hath so ordered human condition, that one man must be beholden to another.
Ver. 15. It came for his hire,] q.d., He shall pay the hire only, and no more, though the owner be not by when it miscarrieth.
Ver. 16. Entice a maid.] Heb., persuade with her by fair words, which make fools fain.
Ver. 17. He shall pay.] No fine is laid upon her, because she had nothing of her own; and she had lost her honour in losing her virginity. (1 Thessalonians 4:4) [See Trapp on “1Th 4:4”]
Ver. 18. A witch.] An enchantress, sorceress, whose help was sometimes sought in enticing young maids to folly. The wizzard also is here meant, but the woman witch mentioned; both because women are more inclinable to that sin; and also because the weaker sex is not to be spared for this fault. Vatab. Junius.
Ver. 19. Be put to death.] Heb., Put him to die. Gr., Kill him with death; as God threateneth to do Jezebel’s children. (Revelation 2:23)
Ver. 20. He shall be utterly destroyed.] As an execrable and accursed creature.
Ver. 21. Theft shalt not vex a stranger.] The right of strangers is so holy, saith one, that there was never nation so barbarous that would violate the same. When Stephen Gardner had in his power the renowned divine Peter Martyr, then teaching at Oxford, he would not keep him to punish him; but when he should go his way, gave him wherewith to bear his charges. Act. and Mon., fol. 1783.
Ver. 22. Or fatherless child.] With God “the fatherless findeth mercy.” (Hosea 14:3) Widows and orphans are God’s clients, taken into his protection.
Ver. 23. And they cry at all unto me.] A vine whose root is uncovered thrives not: so a widow, whose covering of eyes is taken away, joys not. In Hebrew she is called Almanach, from Alam, to be dumb; because she hath none to speak for her, But if she call and cry to God, he will speak for her in the hearts of her oppressors. Mercer, in Proverb.
Ver. 24. Your wives shall be widows.] God delights to punish cruelty in kind, as he did in Agag. (1 Samuel 15:33)
Ver. 25. Thou shalt not be to him as a usurer.] Heb., As an exacting creditor, Qui nullum diem gratis occidere creditori permittit. The usurer’s money is to necessity, like cold water to a hot ague, that for a time refresheth, but prolongeth the disease. Lay upon him usury.] Heb., Biting usury. Usurer’s are men eaters. (Psalms 14:4) Like pickrels in a pond, or sharks in the sea, that devour the lesser fishes. These ostriches can digest any metal, especially money. Aristotle in one page condemneth the usurer and the dicer; and yet some Christians blush at neither. Arist., Ethic, lib. iv. cap. 1.
Ver. 26,27. Thy neighbour’s raiment.] Meant only of his bedclothes, tegumentum nocturnum; without which he cannot comfortably rest in the night.
Ver. 27. [See Trapp on “Ex 22:26”]
Ver. 28. Thou shalt not revile the gods.] Blaspheme dignities. (Jude 1:8) This is blasphemy is the second table.
Ver. 29. Theft shalt not delay.] True obedience is prompt and present, ready and speedy, without demurs and consults. “Wings, and wind in their wings.” (Zechariah 5:9)
Ver. 30. On the eighth day.] When a Sabbath had once gone over it, say the Hebrews.
Ver. 31. Holy men.] Heb., Men of holiness, which should run through our whole lives, as the woof doth through the web.