Deuteronomy 22:1-2

Laws Concerning Preservation of Life

22:1 When you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep going astray, do not ignore it; you must return it without fail to your neighbor. 22:2 If the owner does not live near you or you do not know who the owner is, then you must corral the animal at your house and let it stay with you until the owner looks for it; then you must return it to him.


tn Heb “you must not see,” but, if translated literally into English, the statement is misleading.

tn Heb “brother’s” (also later in this verse). In this context it is not limited to one’s siblings, however; cf. NAB “your kinsman’s.”

tn Heb “hide yourself.”

tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with the words “without fail.”

tn Heb “your brother” (also later in this verse).

tn Heb “is not.” The idea of “residing” is implied.

tn Heb “and you do not know him.”

tn Heb “it”; the referent (the ox or sheep mentioned in v. 1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.