Deuteronomy 22:3
In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֵ֣ן
In like manner
H3651
וְכֵ֣ן
In like manner
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֜ה
and so shalt thou do
H6213
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֜ה
and so shalt thou do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְכֵ֣ן
In like manner
H3651
וְכֵ֣ן
In like manner
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֜ה
and so shalt thou do
H6213
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֜ה
and so shalt thou do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְכֵ֣ן
In like manner
H3651
וְכֵ֣ן
In like manner
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֜ה
and so shalt thou do
H6213
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֜ה
and so shalt thou do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲבֵדַ֥ת
and with all lost thing
H9
אֲבֵדַ֥ת
and with all lost thing
Strong's:
H9
Word #:
10 of 18
concrete, something lost; abstract, destruction, i.e., hades
אָחִ֛יךָ
of thy brother's
H251
אָחִ֛יךָ
of thy brother's
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
11 of 18
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תֹּאבַ֥ד
which he hath lost
H6
תֹּאבַ֥ד
which he hath lost
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וּמְצָאתָ֑הּ
and thou hast found
H4672
וּמְצָאתָ֑הּ
and thou hast found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
This law created culture of mutual care and trust within Israel. People could lose items knowing that finders would preserve and restore them rather than claiming them as windfall.
Such laws distinguished Israel from surrounding cultures where finding lost property created ownership rights.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the expansion to 'all lost thing' teach about the scope of neighbor love?
- How does prohibition against hiding yourself address human tendency toward convenient indifference?
- Why does God establish principles broadly rather than limiting them to specific cases?
- How does this law anticipate Jesus' teaching in the Good Samaritan parable?
- What culture of mutual care results when communities practice comprehensive neighbor love?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. The expansion to all lost thing demonstrates the comprehensive scope of neighbor love. This is not limited to livestock but applies to any possession - animals, clothing, or any lost property.
The repetition thou mayest not hide thyself reinforces prohibition against willful blindness. God addresses the natural human tendency to avoid inconvenient obligations by pretending not to notice others' needs.
The inclusiveness all lost thing...which he hath lost, and thou hast found establishes the principle broadly rather than limiting it to specific examples. The law teaches a mindset of active care for neighbors' welfare across all situations.
This comprehensive neighbor-love anticipates Jesus' teaching in the Good Samaritan parable - genuine love crosses boundaries and categories, actively helping anyone in need rather than finding excuses for indifference.