If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not present, he must make full restitution.
To betray a trust is unjust and base, and the world is right to cry shame on it. We must guard what is entrusted to us as carefully as our own; and an oath before the judges, sworn by the Lord Himself as witness and avenger, ends the dispute, for perjury startles the conscience as much as any sin.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 22:7-15
And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour,.... Any beast, as it should seem, as an ox to plough with, an ass, horse, or camel to ride on, though the Jewish writers carry it also to any kind of household stuff: and if he be hurt or die; if any damage comes to it, or it dies while it is in the borrower's hands...
When a borrowed animal dies or is injured, the borrower must pay compensation unless the owner was present; then he would have seen whether negligence caused the loss, and being present himself, he bears the consequence of his own failure to help. If the animal was hired, the loss is covered by the hire itself.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 22:14-15