Bible Strands
Exodus 22:13
If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The passage addresses the Israelites regarding their legal obligations when guarding or borrowing a neighbor’s livestock. It establishes the procedure for a caretaker when a wild beast kills the animal.
The words — The Hebrew עֵ֑ד ('Ed) translates literally to "evidence," and יְשַׁלֵּֽם (ye.sha.Lem) means "he will make restitution."
The thread — The imagery of torn carcasses and wild animals recurs in Amos 3:12, where a shepherd snatches two legs or a piece of an ear from a lion, and in Ezekiel 4:14, which references meat found dead.
Why it lands — The text commands the caretaker to present the mangled remains to verify a wild animal attack, which legally exempts him from financial compensation for the loss.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 4:14 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”
- Amos 3:12 This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.
- Micah 5:8 Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.
- Nahum 2:12 The lion mauled enough for its cubs and strangled prey for the lioness. It filled its dens with the kill, and its lairs with mauled prey.