Word In Life Study Bible
A LAW FOR CRIMINALS—AND THEIR VICTIMS
Num.5:7
Jailing criminals may protect society and punish offenders, but what does it do for the victims of crime? Wandering Israel had no jails, so it punished criminals in other ways. However, a major part of serving justice was for the offender to make restitution to the wronged person (Num. 5:7).
Restitution involved restoring or repaying losses in a way that made amends for the crime. In that way, the Law took into account both criminal and victim. Ultimately it regarded crimes against property and persons to be “unfaithfulness against the Lord.” Note some of the formulae given for restitution under different situations:
|
A
System of Restitution
|
|
|
Situation
|
Repayment
|
| Loss or theft of an animal: | (Note that in an agricultural society, livestock were central to business, therefore restitution was high; Ex. 22:1–4) |
|
• A beast of burden (for example, an ox) killed. • A sheep killed. • Stolen animal alive and returnable. • Criminal cannot repay. |
• Five times the value. • Four times the value. • Twice the value. • Criminal sold to make repayment. |
| Animal grazes in another’s field or vineyard. | Restitution made from one’s own field or vineyard (Ex. 22:5). |
| Causing a crop-destroying fire on a neighbor’s land. | Full restitution of the loss (Ex. 22:6). |
| Theft of property being held for safekeeping. | Double remuneration of the victim (Ex. 22:7–8). |
| Borrowed animal dies or is injured while in use (in the owner’s absence). | Payment of full value to the owner (Ex. 22:14–15). |
| General crimes against persons. | Full restitution plus 20 percent, payable to the victim, next of kin, or the priest (Num. 5:7–9). |
Print
Email
