Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 6:31
But [if] he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
31. sevenfold ] This cannot refer to the legal penalty for theft, which was in no case greater than five times the value of the thing stolen (Exo 22:1-4. Comp. Luk 19:8). It had been suggested that the case contemplated in the second clause of the verse is different from that in the first: here is a man, who so far from being driven by abject poverty to steal in order to satisfy his hunger, is able and will be required to pay more than the law demanded (sevenfold) in order to avoid the shame of exposure. It is better, however, to understand sevenfold as a general term, meaning in full measure (comp. Gen 4:15; Lev 26:28; Mat 18:21). This explanation obviates the objection that if he had to steal for bread he could not pay sevenfold, because the full measure of the law was, “if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft” (Exo 22:3, comp. Mat 18:25).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He shall restore seven-fold.
Quest. How doth this agree with Gods law, which required only that he should restore double, or at most fourfold, or fivefold? Exo 22:1-4.
Answ. 1. The number of seven may be here put indefinitely for many times, as it is Gen 4:24; Lev 26:28, and in many other places.
2. Some think that as thefts were multiplied, so the punishment of it was increased, in Solomons time; or, at least, that it was the practice of some nations to require this sevenfold restitution.
3. He speaks not of that restitution which the law required, but of that which either the wronged person being potent might force the thief to make, or which the thief would willingly give rather than be exposed to public shame; as appears by the following clause, wherein he adds to this sevenfold restitution
all his substance, which no law of God or man required. See Poole “Exo 22:4“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
31. sevenfold(compare Ex22:1-4), for many, ample (compare Gen 4:24;Mat 18:21), even if all hiswealth is taken.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But [if] he be found, he shall restore sevenfold,…. According to the law in Ex 22:1; in case of theft double was to be restored, if the theft was found alive in his hand; and in some cases fourfold and fivefold. Aben Ezra observing that double and fivefold being near together in the law, joins them, and so makes sevenfold. Some think Solomon has reference to a law in other nations, which obliged to a sevenfold restoration; or that the penalty was increased in his time, but neither appears; rather the meaning is, that a thief should make restoration according to law as often as he is found guilty, be it seven times, or seventy times seven, Mt 18:21; or the sense is, that be should make perfect restoration, full restitution as the law requires: but then this finding: him is not to be understood of finding him in the fact, stealing to satisfy hunger, for then to insist upon a legal restitution, as it is incompatible with such a man’s circumstances, so would contradict what is before said, that such an one is not usually reproached and found fault with; but the sense is, if it should be found otherwise, or it should be found that he has food to satisfy his soul, as Gersom observes, and has no need to steal; or if he is found in a man’s house, then he shall make restitution as the law directs, even a full one, Ex 22:2;
he shall give all the substance of his house: to pay the sevenfold, or to make full restitution; nay, if necessary, he himself may be sold, as the above law requires.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(31) But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold.Rather, And if he be found, he may restore sevenfold, he may give up all the wealth of his house. The law only required a twoor fouror fivefold compensation (Exodus 22); he may do even more. Sevenfold signifies full restitution. (Comp. Gen. 4:24 : Lev. 26:28.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 6:31. If he be found, he shall restore sevenfold The law, Exo 22:1-4 did not oblige the thief to restore sevenfold, but only five oxen for one, or, in another case, only double: wherefore some commentators think that the word sevenfold, is only used as an indefinite number. “He shall restore the value of that which he has taken, and much more:” others would render it, If he be found out seven times, he shall restore as often, till he give all the substance of his house. But some have thought that the wise man speaks not of that restitution which the law requires, but of that which either the wronged person, being powerful, might force the thief to make, or which the thief would willingly give, rather than be exposed to public shame; as appears by the following clause, wherein he adds to this sevenfold restitution all his substance, which no law of God or man required.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Pro 6:31 But [if] he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
Ver. 31. He shall restore sevenfold, ] i.e., Manifold, according as the law limiteth, though it be to the utmost of what the thief is worth. But what restitution can the adulterer make, should he make him amends with as much more? The thief steals out of want; the adulterer of wantonness.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
if: Exo 22:1, Exo 22:3, Exo 22:4, 2Sa 12:6, Job 20:18, Luk 19:8
he shall give: Mat 18:25
Reciprocal: Gen 4:15 – sevenfold Exo 22:7 – if the thief be found Lev 6:5 – restore Job 20:10 – his hands Pro 8:21 – to inherit Pro 30:9 – or Son 8:7 – if a man Jer 2:26 – the thief