Exodus 23:4
If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
Cross-references
Deuteronomy 22:1-4 expands this command to returning any lost animal, not just an enemy's, reinforcing the duty to help.
Proverbs 25:21 commands feeding a hungry enemy, directly paralleling helping an enemy's lost animal as active kindness.
Matthew 5:44 commands love and good deeds toward enemies, fulfilling the OT command to help an enemy's lost animal.
Luke 6:27 similarly commands doing good to enemies, echoing Exodus 23:4's requirement to aid a foe.
Luke 6:28 extends this to blessing and praying for enemies, building on the principle of helping an enemy's animal.
Romans 12:17-21 instructs not repaying evil but overcoming with good, applying the same ethic as helping an enemy's lost animal.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:15, the call to seek good for all echoes this law's command to help an enemy's animal.
Leviticus 19:18 commands loving neighbor and not bearing grudges, which fulfills this duty to help an enemy's animal.
Deuteronomy 22:4 similarly commands helping a brother's fallen animal, showing this principle applies even to enemies.
Romans 12:20 commands feeding a hungry enemy, applying the same principle as this law to help an enemy's animal.
Job 31:29 affirms that Job never rejoiced over an enemy's downfall, consistent with actively helping an enemy's lost animal.
Job 31:30 shows Job refrained from cursing his enemy, aligning with the positive command to help an enemy's animal.
Proverbs 24:17 warns against rejoicing when an enemy falls, complementing the command to help an enemy's lost animal.
In Matthew 12:11, Jesus uses rescuing a sheep to argue mercy over Sabbath rules, mirroring this care for an enemy's animal.
In Luke 14:5, Jesus again uses rescuing an ox on the Sabbath to justify mercy, paralleling this command to help an enemy's animal.
Proverbs 24:18 gives a reason not to gloat (God's displeasure), adding motive to the ethic of helping an enemy.