Exodus 22:5
If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
Exodus 22:5
**Meaning & Context** (200 words)
This law addresses damage caused by animals feeding in someone else’s field. If a man’s beast eats from another’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field and vineyard. The ruling ties the offender’s wealth to the restitution: he must offer the best of what he owns as compensation. This emphasizes fairness—restorative justice derived from the offender’s own resources.
**Theological Significance** (150 words)
It highlights stewardship ethics and communal responsibility for shared resources. The offender’s duty to provide the best from his own possessions underscores the seriousness of harming another’s livelihood and the value of restoring the neighbor’s economic basis.
**Modern Application** (150 words)
In contemporary settings, this can be translated to compensating a neighbor for crop damage or lost yield with high-quality produce or financial remuneration, and preventive measures to avoid recurrence.
**Cross-References**: Leviticus 19:14; Proverbs 3:27-28; Deuteronomy 22:6-7; James 5:4