_Five oxen; because they are of greater value than sheep. (Theodoret) --- As these things may easily be stolen, a heavier fine is imposed than on those who steal money. The Scythians punish theft with the utmost severity. (Grotius) --- All these punishments, till the 25th chapter, were inflicted by... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blood. The reason is, because it could not easily be known whether the thief had not a design upon the life of the people in the house; and therefore, the law gave them authority to defend themselves. But they were not authorized to kill the thief designedly. the laws of Athens and of Rome, permitt... [ Continue Reading ]
_Double. This is an exception from the general law, ver. 1, (Calmet) because he can more easily make restitution, as he has not sold or destroyed the thing. (Du Hamel)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gods. "In the presence of the Lord," Septuagint._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Damage. Hebrew, "thing lost, which another challengeth.\'85and whom the judges condemn, he," &c. If the person who had deposited a thing, pretended that the one produced was not the same, or not equally good, and failed in proving the charge, he was liable to pay double its value. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stealth, of the person to whom it was entrusted, or by his connivance, as the Hebrew mamu, ( de cum eo) "from with him," intimates. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Slain. Or any part of its mangled remains, in proof of his assertion. (Syriac)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Restitution. It is to be presumed he was guilty of some negligence. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Especially, &c. This is a third case, in which the person who lends, suffers all the loss, in consideration of the money which he had received. Others explain, "If he be a hired servant, he shall pay out of his wages," Syriac. (Grotius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Money. Fifty sicles, as it is expressed, Deuteronomy xxi. 29. If the maid were of high birth, the magistrates might inflict other punishments on the seducer._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wizards. Hebrew, "a witch." Women are more given to such delusions, which imply an apostacy from God to serve the devil, and disturb the republic._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Death. Hebrew, "shall be anathema," ( erom) which denotes utter destruction both of the person and of his goods. (Jonathan) (1 Kings xv. 3.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Were strangers. The Celtes punished with death the murderer of a stranger, which they only banished him who murdered a citizen. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fatherless. Thus God will retaliate upon the oppressors of the poor. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Poor. Such are often most in want. Usury is not lawful, even with respect to the rich. The Hebrew terms it a bite. (Menochius) --- "What is usury, said Cato, but to kill a man." The Romans required thieves to restore double, but usurers were to render four times as much as they had taken. (Varro Ru... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gods. Judges, priests, &c. Josephus and Philo say, we must not speak ill of strange gods, lest the Gentiles should take occasion to blaspheme the true God, and that we may be farther removed from the danger of taking the name of God in vain, and losing that respect which we owe to it._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tithes. Hebrew, "thy plentitude, (first-fruits and tithes) and thy tears;" (or liquors distilled form odoriferous trees) in a word, all that is most excellent. Censorinus (de die nat.) says, excellently well: "They who acknowledged that they had received food, a country, light, and even their very... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beasts. "Wild beasts," Septuagint. --- This was to encourage humanity. (Theodoret)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXII.... [ Continue Reading ]