Exodus 22:7 E. Breach of Trust. A man going on a journey would make his neighbour his banker. If the money or valuables were stolen, the thief, if found, was to pay double (Exodus 22:7); otherwise the surety must purge himself of the crime by oath at the local sanctuary (Exodus 22:8). A similar procedure, including some ordeal or divining process, was to be used when lost property was found under suspicious circumstances (Exodus 22:9). Where any mischance happened to an animal left in a man's charge, he might free himself from blame by taking the oath of Yahweh (Exodus 22:10 f.), just as among the Arabs still, according to Burckhardt and Doughty. If he let it be stolen, he must make restitution; but if it was torn by wild beasts (cf. Genesis 31:39), he had only to produce the carcase to escape blame, as in Bab. and Indian law. If harm befell a borrowed animal, the hirer must make it good, unless its owner was in charge of it (Exodus 22:14 f.). Seduction was regarded as damage to the father of the girl, and compensation required equal to the usual marriage gift (not dowry), as in Genesis 34:12, with marriage unless the father refuse. Probably the Judgments end here.

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