Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 22:4
Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift [them] up again.
4. Of Assisting to Lift Fallen Beasts. D’s more comprehensive and more simply expressed edition of E’s law, Exo 23:5, which enjoins the duty of helping him that hateth thee to release (an archaic word) his animals when foundered beneath their burdens. On fallen, see Deu 21:1.
An animal fallen under its load needs two persons to put it right: ‘an operation which can be performed for a loaded animal only by lifting up the burden on both sides at once, unless it be unloaded and loaded again, implying much loss of time, and even this often cannot be done without assistance. Jew and Christian, Muslim and Koord mutually assist each other, though inimical to one another’s faith’ (Van Lennep, Bible Lands, etc., 231).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Help him, i.e. thy brother, the owner. Compare Exo 13:5.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Thou shall not see thy brother’s ox or his ass fall down by the way,…. And lie under his burden, not being able to rise with it of himself, nor with all the assistance about it, without further help:
and hide thyself from them; cover thine eyes, or turn them another way, and make as if thou didst not see them in distress:
thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again; that is, help the brother and owner of it, the ox and ass; assist him in getting them up again, and lay on their burden, and fasten them aright, which either were rolled off by the fall, or were obliged to be taken off in order to raise them up; and if this was to be done for an enemy, then much more for a brother, as is required, [See comments on Ex 23:5], or “lifting up, thou shall lift them up with him” d; that is, most certainly do it, and lift with all his strength, and as often as there is occasion; if they fell down again after raised up, help is still to be continued, even, as Maimonides e says, though it was an hundred times.
d “erigendo eriges”, Pagninus, Montanus. e Hilchot Rotzeach, c. 13. sect. 5.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verse 4:
Compare this text with Exo 23:5. Like the preceding text, this applies not only to one’s “brother,” but to one’s enemy as well, Mat 5:43-47.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Being Always Ready To Give Assistance ( Deu 22:4 ).
Deu 22:4
‘ You shall not see your brother’s ass or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide yourself from them. You shall surely help him to lift them up again.’
Where someone was seen to be in need of assistance with regard to his livestock which had had an accident while going along the road, or was overburdened, every assistance must be offered so as to help them. Compare Exo 23:5.
Both these examples are a reminder to us that we should not just ignore the needs of our neighbours, but while not becoming a nuisance, should give a helping hand where we can.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 4. Thou shalt not see thy brother’s assfall down by the way, &c. See Exo 23:5. A famous example to this purpose is mentioned of Alphonsus, king of Naples, who, travelling upon a road, attended by a great retinue of courtiers, saw an ass with a heavy burden fallen into a deep slough: all who went before the king, passed by without any regard; but when he came to the place, he stopped, went himself to the driver, and lent him assistance to help the ass out of the mire. No one can fail remarking upon this law, how attentive Moses is to recommend the duties of justice, charity, and humanity.
Note; God would herein teach us, 1. To be ready for every friendly office to our neighbour. 2. To be strictly honest and upright, in retaining nothing of his, that came, however secretly, into our possession. 3. If such care is enjoined towards a lost sheep, how much more should it be shewn towards a lost soul!
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
help. See note on Exo 23:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
thou shalt surely: Exo 23:4, Exo 23:5, Mat 5:44, Luk 10:29-37, Rom 15:1, 2Co 12:15, Gal 6:1, Gal 6:2, 1Th 5:14, Heb 12:12, Heb 12:13
Reciprocal: Deu 22:1 – hide thyself Mat 12:11 – and if