EXPOSITION THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT, _continued_. _Laws connected with rights of property, continued_ (Exodus 22:1). The fret section—Exodus 22:1—is upon theft. The general principle laid down is, that theft shall be punished if possible, by a fine. There is a moral fitness in this, since a man's d... [ Continue Reading ]
EXPOSITION II. LAWS CONNECTED WITH RIGHTS OF PROPERTY (verses 33-36). From the consideration of injuries to the person, the legislator proceeds to treat of injuries to property, and, as he has been speaking of cattle under the one head, places cattle in the fore-front of the other. In this chapter... [ Continue Reading ]
EXPOSITION LAW OF TRESPASS.—Next to theft, and not much behind it, is the wanton damage of what belongs to another—as when a person injures his neighbour's crops, either by turning beasts into his field, or by causing a conflagration in it. To turn beasts in was the more determinedly malicious act,... [ Continue Reading ]
EXPOSITION LAW OF DEPOSITS.—Deposition of property in the hands of a friend, to keep and guard, was a marked feature in the life of primitive societies, where investments were difficult, and bankers unknown. Persons about to travel, especially merchants, were wont to make such a disposition of the... [ Continue Reading ]
EXPOSITION LAW OF BORROWING.—The act of borrowing is connected with that of depositing, since in both cases, the property of one man is committed to the hands of another; only, in the one case, it is at the instance and for the benefit of the man into whose hands the property passes; in the other c... [ Continue Reading ]
EXPOSITION MISCELLANEOUS LAWS (Exodus 22:16-2) EXODUS 22:16, EXODUS 22:17 _Laws against seduction_. It has been already observed that in the remainder of the Book of the Covenant there is a want of method, or logical sequence. Seduction, witchcraft, bestiality, worship of false gods, oppression, a... [ Continue Reading ]