Bible Dictionary
Theft
Theft is the unlawful taking of another person’s property. Israel’s law prohibited it and prescribed restitution or other penalties, while the New Testament likewise commands believers not to steal.
Definition
Theft is the unlawful taking of another person’s property. Israelite law prohibited theft and provided restitution or other penalties according to the offense.
Biblical Usage
The command not to steal is repeated in the Law and is also applied in the New Testament. Man-stealing was punishable by death, and a thief could be required to make restitution or be sold until the penalty was paid.
Historical Background
The law distinguished circumstances such as theft by night and the thief’s ability to make restitution. The supplied material also connects theft with the laws concerning crimes and punishments.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Punished by restitution, the proportions of which are noted in 2 Sam. 12:6. If the thief could not pay the fine, he was to be sold to a Hebrew master till he could pay (Ex. 22:1-4). A night-thief might be smitten till he died, and there would be no blood-guiltiness for him (22:2). A man-stealer was to be put to death (21:16). All theft is forbidden (Ex. 20:15; 21:16; Lev. 19:11; Deut. 5:19; 24:7; Ps. 50:18; Zech. 5:3; Matt. 19:18; Rom. 13:9; Eph. 4:28; 1 Pet. 4:15).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See CRIMES; PUNISHMENTS.</p>