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.

Cross-references

Exodus 22:1 Contrast

Exodus 22:1 imposes fivefold/fourfold restitution if the animal is killed or sold — a stricter rule than Exodus 22:4's double for a living animal found in possession.

Exodus 22:7 Parallel

Exodus 22:7 also mandates double restitution when entrusted goods are stolen — the same penalty as Exodus 22:4 for a thief caught with a live stolen beast.

Exodus 21:16 demands death for stealing a man (kidnapping), while Exodus 22:4 requires only double restitution for livestock theft — showing vastly different penalties.

Proverbs 6:31 increases the penalty to sevenfold, showing a different tradition of restitution for theft, but shares the core idea.

Leviticus 6:5 mandates restitution with a fifth for fraud, similar to theft laws but with a different multiple.