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What the Bible Says About Restitution

Overview

The Bible addresses restitution across 22 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Exodus, Leviticus and Proverbs. Closely related themes include Theft and Thieves, Damages and Compensation, Punishments and Trespass. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Zacchaeus.

Key Bible verses about restitution

Old Testament

Exodus

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.

Exodus 21:35

And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.

Exodus 21:36

Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.

Exodus 22:1

If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. or a sheep: or, or a goat

Exodus 22:2

If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

Exodus 22:3

If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Exodus 22:4

If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

Leviticus

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

Leviticus 24:18

And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast. beast for: Heb. life for life

People in the Bible and restitution

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying restitution for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 21:30, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Exodus, Leviticus and Proverbs each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Zacchaeus and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Theft and Thieves, Damages and Compensation, Punishments and Trespass.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about restitution?

The Bible addresses restitution across 22 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Exodus, Leviticus and Proverbs. Closely related themes include Theft and Thieves, Damages and Compensation, Punishments and Trespass. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Zacchaeus.

How many Bible verses are about restitution?

The Bible references restitution in 22 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention restitution?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is 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.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with restitution?

Zacchaeus.

Preach & teach

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