Deuteronomy 22:2
And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֨א
H3808
לֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָחִ֙יךָ֙
And if thy brother
H251
אָחִ֙יךָ֙
And if thy brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
4 of 19
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדַעְתּ֑וֹ
unto thee or if thou know
H3045
יְדַעְתּ֑וֹ
unto thee or if thou know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
7 of 19
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וַֽאֲסַפְתּוֹ֙
him not then thou shalt bring
H622
וַֽאֲסַפְתּוֹ֙
him not then thou shalt bring
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
8 of 19
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ
thine own house
H1004
בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ
thine own house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְהָיָ֣ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עִמְּךָ֗
H5973
עִמְּךָ֗
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
13 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
עַ֣ד
H5704
עַ֣ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
14 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
דְּרֹ֤שׁ
seek
H1875
דְּרֹ֤שׁ
seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
אָחִ֙יךָ֙
And if thy brother
H251
אָחִ֙יךָ֙
And if thy brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
16 of 19
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אֹת֔וֹ
H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַהֲשֵֽׁבֹת֖וֹ
after it and thou shalt restore it to him again
H7725
וַהֲשֵֽׁבֹת֖וֹ
after it and thou shalt restore it to him again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
18 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Historical Context
In ancient Israel without centralized lost-and-found systems, this law created informal network of mutual care. Finders became temporary stewards, preserving property for later restoration.
The requirement to house and feed animals until claimed could involve significant expense, demonstrating that covenant love requires real sacrifice, not mere convenience.
Questions for Reflection
- What does this law teach about responsibility even when restoration is difficult or costly?
- How does taking on expense to benefit unknown neighbors demonstrate covenant love?
- Why is it significant that the finder cannot claim ownership despite investment in care?
- What does mutual responsibility (finder preserves, owner seeks) teach about community?
- How might this principle apply to contemporary situations of lost or abandoned property?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. The law extends beyond convenient situations to require effort even when restoration is difficult. Distance or anonymity does not excuse the obligation to preserve neighbors' property.
Bringing lost property unto thine own house requires taking responsibility and bearing cost of caring for it. The finder must feed and shelter the animal until the owner is found, accepting inconvenience and expense to benefit the neighbor.
The phrase until thy brother seek after it implies active searching by the owner while the finder provides safe keeping. Both parties have responsibilities - the finder preserves, the owner seeks. Community flourishing requires mutual effort.
The promise thou shalt restore it to him again emphasizes returning, not claiming ownership despite investment in caring for it. Faithfulness requires restoring what belongs to others without demanding compensation.