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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 23:4 If you encounter your enemy's stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/23-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/02_Exo_23_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 23:4 - Justice and Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If you encounter your enemy's stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/23-3.htm" title="Exodus 23:3">◄</a> Exodus 23:4 <a href="/exodus/23-5.htm" title="Exodus 23:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220If you come across your enemy&#8217s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If you encounter your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you must return it to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If you meet your enemy&#8217s ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering off, you must bring it back to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If you come across your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you come across your enemy&#8217s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you find an ox or a donkey that has wandered off, take it back where it belongs, even if the owner is your enemy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Whenever you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering loose, be sure to take it back to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"If you happen to see your enemy's cow or donkey running loose, take it back to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, you are to certainly return it to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you encounter your enemy?s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"If you encounter your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, you must by all means return it to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If thou shalt meet thy enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />When you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you certainly turn it back to him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'When thou meetest thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou dost certainly turn it back to him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If thou shalt meet thine enemy's ox or his ass wandering, turning back, thou shalt turn him back to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If thou meet thy enemy's ox or ass going astray, bring it back to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If you come across an ox or a donkey of your enemy, which has gone astray, lead it back to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey going astray, you must see to it that it is returned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey going astray, you shall bring it back.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If you meet your enemy's ox or his ass going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when you will come upon the ox of your enemy or upon his donkey when going astray, be sure to return them to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt turn them back and restore them to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/23-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5754" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Justice and Mercy</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/6293.htm" title="6293: ṯip̄·ga‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To meet, encounter, reach. A primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or by importunity.">you encounter</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·yiḇ·ḵā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 2ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">your enemy’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/8582.htm" title="8582: tō·‘eh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To err. A primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. Reel or stray; also causative of both.">stray</a> <a href="/hebrew/7794.htm" title="7794: šō·wr (N-msc) -- A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.). From shuwr; a bullock.">ox</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/2543.htm" title="2543: ḥă·mō·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A male ass. Or chamor; from chamar; a male ass.">donkey,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: hā·šêḇ (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">you must return it</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: tə·šî·ḇen·nū (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a></span><br />But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20</a></span><br />On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/22-1.htm">Deuteronomy 22:1-4</a></span><br />If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; be sure to return it to your brother. / If your brother does not live near you, or if you do not know who he is, you are to take the animal home to remain with you until your brother comes seeking it; then you can return it to him. / And you shall do the same for his donkey, his cloak, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a></span><br />Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17</a></span><br />Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">1 Samuel 24:17-19</a></span><br />and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. / And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. / When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-22.htm">2 Kings 6:22</a></span><br />“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29-30</a></span><br />If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him— / I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-12.htm">Matthew 7:12</a></span><br />In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-33.htm">Luke 10:33-37</a></span><br />But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion. / He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. / The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-10.htm">Galatians 6:10</a></span><br />Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></span><br />Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If you meet your enemy's ox or his ass going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/22-1.htm">Deuteronomy 22:1-4</a></b></br> Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29,30</a></b></br> If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17,18</a></b></br> Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/22-10.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/revelation/20-10.htm">Astray</a> <a href="/exodus/22-10.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/psalms/78-61.htm">Enemy's</a> <a href="/genesis/39-21.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/exodus/19-17.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-5.htm">Meetest</a> <a href="/exodus/22-30.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/exodus/22-23.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/exodus/14-3.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/exodus/22-30.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/23-5.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Astray</a> <a href="/exodus/23-5.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-27.htm">Enemy's</a> <a href="/exodus/33-11.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/exodus/25-22.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-3.htm">Meetest</a> <a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/exodus/23-5.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/exodus/23-5.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/numbers/32-15.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Of slander, false witness, and partiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Of charitableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Of justice in judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Of taking bribes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Of oppressing a stranger</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-10.htm">Of the year of rest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Of the Sabbath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-14.htm">Of the three feasts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-18.htm">Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the ancient Near Eastern context, livestock such as oxen and donkeys were valuable assets, essential for agriculture and transportation. The loss of such animals could significantly impact a person's livelihood. The directive to assist even an enemy reflects a broader biblical principle of loving one's neighbor, which is echoed in the New Testament teachings of Jesus, such as in <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a>, where believers are instructed to love their enemies.<p><b>you must return it to him.</b><br>The command to return the stray animal underscores the importance of restitution and reconciliation. This act of returning the animal is not merely about property rights but about restoring relationships and promoting peace. It aligns with the broader biblical theme of justice and righteousness, as seen in passages like <a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a>, which encourage acts of kindness towards one's enemies. This principle also prefigures the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized reconciliation and forgiveness, as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan (<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>), where love and mercy transcend enmity and cultural boundaries.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>- The leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai, including this commandment.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>- The people to whom the laws were given, forming the covenant community under God’s guidance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>- The place where God delivered the Law to Moses, including the instructions found in <a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Exodus 23</a>.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/o/ox_and_donkey.htm">Ox and Donkey</a></b><br>- Common animals in ancient agrarian societies, representing valuable property and livelihood.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemy.htm">Enemy</a></b><br>- A person with whom one has conflict or animosity, highlighting the challenge of the commandment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_law.htm">Obedience to God's Law</a></b><br>The command to return a stray animal, even to an enemy, underscores the importance of obeying God's law over personal feelings of animosity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/promoting_reconciliation.htm">Promoting Reconciliation</a></b><br>By returning an enemy's lost property, we take a step towards reconciliation and peace, reflecting God's desire for harmony among His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/demonstrating_integrity.htm">Demonstrating Integrity</a></b><br>This commandment calls believers to act with integrity and fairness, even when dealing with those who oppose us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_character.htm">Reflecting God's Character</a></b><br>God’s laws often reflect His character. By following this command, we mirror God’s justice and mercy in our interactions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_love_for_others.htm">Practical Love for Others</a></b><br>The act of returning a stray animal is a practical demonstration of love and concern for others, even those we might consider adversaries.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_should_christians_treat_foes.htm">How should Christians treat their enemies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_numbers_31's_warfare_approach_unique.htm">Numbers 31 compared to earlier laws in Exodus and Leviticus: Why does this narrative’s approach to warfare seem inconsistent with other divine commandments?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/love_neighbor,_hate_enemy.htm">Should you love your neighbor and hate your enemy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_lost_donkeys_in_1_sam_9_3-4_hard_to_find.htm">Why do 1 Samuel 9:3–4’s details about searching for lost donkeys seem contradictory with other instances in the Old Testament where animals are quickly found or retrieved? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Thine enemy's ox.</span>--The general duty of stopping stray animals and restoring them to friendly owners, expressly taught in <a href="/context/deuteronomy/22-1.htm" title="You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide yourself from them: you shall in any case bring them again to your brother.">Deuteronomy 22:1-3</a>, is here implied as if admitted on all hands. The legislator extends this duty to cases where the owner is our personal enemy. It was not generally recognised in antiquity that men's enemies had any claims upon them. Cicero, indeed, says--"Sunt autem quaedam officia etiam adversus eos servanda, a quibus injuriam aceeperis" (<span class= "ital">De Off. i.</span> 11); but he stops short of enjoining active benevolence. Here and in <a href="/exodus/23-5.htm" title="If you see the ass of him that hates you lying under his burden, and would forbear to help him, you shall surely help with him.">Exodus 23:5</a> we have a sort of anticipation of Christianity--active kindness to an enemy being required, even when it costs us some trouble. The principle of friendliness is involved--the germ which in Christianity blossoms out into the precept, "Love your enemies."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thine enemy's ox</span>. A private enemy is here spoken of, not a public one, as in <a href="/deuteronomy/23-6.htm">Deuteronomy 23:6</a>. It is remarkable that the law should have so far anticipated Christianity as to have laid it down that men have duties of friendliness even towards their enemies, and are bound under certain circumstances to render them a service. "Hate thine enemies" (<a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43</a>) was no injunction of the Mosaic taw, but a conclusion which Rabbinical teachers unwarrantably drew from it. Christianity, however, goes far beyond Mosaism in laying down the broad precept - "Love your enemies." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/23-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you encounter</span><br /><span class="heb">תִפְגַּ֞ע</span> <span class="translit">(ṯip̄·ga‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6293.htm">Strong's 6293: </a> </span><span class="str2">To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your enemy’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹֽיִבְךָ֛</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·yiḇ·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">stray</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּעֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(tō·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8582.htm">Strong's 8582: </a> </span><span class="str2">To vacillate, reel, stray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ox</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁ֧וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(šō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7794.htm">Strong's 7794: </a> </span><span class="str2">A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">donkey,</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲמֹר֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·mō·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2543.htm">Strong's 2543: </a> </span><span class="str2">A male ass</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you must return</span><br /><span class="heb">הָשֵׁ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(hā·šêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it to him.</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּשִׁיבֶ֖נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tə·šî·ḇen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">OT Law: Exodus 23:4 If you meet your enemy's ox (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/23-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 23:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/23-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 23:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>