22:6 “If a fire breaks out and spreads 4 to thorn bushes, 5 so that stacked grain or standing grain or the whole field is consumed, the one who started 6 the fire must surely make restitution.
22:14 “If a man borrows an animal 7 from his neighbor, and it is hurt or dies when its owner was not with it, the man who borrowed it 8 will surely pay.
1 tn The Hophal perfect has the idea of “attested, testified against.”
2 tn Heb “he was not keeping it” or perhaps guarding or watching it (referring to the ox).
3 sn The family of the victim would set the amount for the ransom of the man guilty of criminal neglect. This practice was common in the ancient world, rare in Israel. If the family allowed the substitute price, then the man would be able to redeem his life.
4 tn Heb “if a fire goes out and finds”; NLT “if a fire gets out of control.”
5 sn Thorn bushes were used for hedges between fields, but thorn bushes also burned easily, making the fire spread rapidly.
6 tn This is a Hiphil participle of the verb “to burn, kindle” used substantivally. This is the one who caused the fire, whether by accident or not.
7 tn Heb “if a man asks [an animal] from his neighbor” (see also Exod 12:36). The ruling here implies an animal is borrowed, and if harm comes to it when the owner is not with it, the borrower is liable. The word “animal” is supplied in the translation for clarity.
8 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the man who borrowed the animal) has been specified in the translation for clarity.