Making Restitution: Special Cases

When it comes to stealing, the cost to the thief is the value of the stolen goods, plus 20%. That is a high rate of interest, but it is not the highest rate.

"If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep." (Exodus 22:1)

The restitution rate is 500% for oxen, 400% for sheep. Why the difference, and why so much? The Bible does not tell us why, but here is a possible reason: Oxen and sheep are alive; they reproduce, pull the plow, provide meat, leather, milk, and wool. When the sheep and oxen are stolen, it is as if all these things are stolen, too.

We see two examples of this in Scripture. First, there is David’s reply to the prophet Nathan:

"He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity." (2 Samuel 12:6)

The second is Zacchaeus’ statement to Jesus:

"But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.' Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.'” (Luke 19:8-9)

Comments

J. A. Broussard said…

I’ve heard, but not verified, that the higher rates of return are exclusive to animals that could be used in offerings. Just another thought.

Blessings, J. A. Broussard

10:29 PM

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