Exodus 22:7-9 - If a man gives to his neighbour

22:7-9

We now come to the situation where one person has given money to a neighbour for safekeeping, but the money or goods are stolen. If the thief is found then the situation is simple, the thief is to pay back double. However, if the thief is not found things are more complex, for there is the possibility that the neighbour has helped himself to the goods or money. So the neighbour was to “come near to God”. This means he had to make a solemn oath either confessing his guilt or declaring that he had not taken the money. In the ESV it talks about “coming before God”, whereas NIV has coming “before the judges” (as does KJV, NASB). The ESV (and RSV and others) seem to be giving a more literal translation, whereas NIV and others are giving what happened in practice. What it means is that a person was to view coming before the judges as if they were making a declaration to God. These matters were taken seriously. Once again, I think the NIV gives a much clearer translation.