Deuteronomy 22:1

Laws Concerning Preservation of Life

22:1 When you see ¹  your neighbor’s ²  ox or sheep going astray, do not ignore it; ³  you must return it without fail ⁴  to your neighbor.

Deuteronomy 22:4

22:4 When you see ⁵  your neighbor’s donkey or ox fallen along the road, do not ignore it; ⁶  instead, you must be sure ⁷  to help him get the animal on its feet again. ⁸ 

[22:1]  ¹ tn Heb “you must not see,” but, if translated literally into English, the statement is misleading.

[22:1]  ² 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.”

[22:1]  ³ tn Heb “hide yourself.”

[22:1]  ⁴ tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with the words “without fail.”

[22:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “you must not see.” See note at 22:1.

[22:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “and (must not) hide yourself from them.”

[22:4]  ⁷ tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “be sure.”

[22:4]  ⁸ tn Heb “help him to lift them up.” In keeping with English style the singular is used in the translation, and the referent (“the animal”) has been specified for clarity.