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What the Bible Says About Damages and Compensation

Overview

The Bible addresses damages and compensation across 23 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Closely related themes include Restitution, Adultery, Trespass and Character. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses.

Key Bible verses about damages and compensation

Old Testament

Exodus

Exodus 21:18

And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed: another: or, his neighbour

Exodus 21:19

If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed. the loss: Heb. his ceasing

Exodus 21:28

If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

Exodus 21:29

But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

Exodus 21:30

If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

Exodus 21:31

Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.

Exodus 21:32

If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Exodus 21:33

And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;

Exodus 21:34

The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

Leviticus

Leviticus 6:1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 6:2

If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; in fellowship: or, in dealing fellowship: Heb. putting of the hand

Leviticus 6:3

Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:

Leviticus 6:4

Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,

Leviticus 6:5

Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. in the day: or, in the day of his being found guilty: Heb. in the day of his trespass

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 22:13

If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,

Deuteronomy 22:14

And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:

Deuteronomy 22:15

Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:

Deuteronomy 22:16

And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;

Deuteronomy 22:17

And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.

Deuteronomy 22:18

And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;

Deuteronomy 22:19

And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

Deuteronomy 22:28

If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

Deuteronomy 22:29

Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

People in the Bible and damages and compensation

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying damages and compensation for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 21:18, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Restitution, Adultery, Trespass and Character.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about damages and compensation?

The Bible addresses damages and compensation across 23 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Closely related themes include Restitution, Adultery, Trespass and Character. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses.

How many Bible verses are about damages and compensation?

The Bible references damages and compensation in 23 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention damages and compensation?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 21:18: “And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed: another: or, his neighbour”

Which people in the Bible are associated with damages and compensation?

Moses.

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