thief Summary and Overview

THIEF , THIEVES, THE TWO. Theft is always severely punished in rude societies. The Mosaic Law is severe. The thefts would naturally be, among the Jews, of live-stock most frequently; accordingly, the Law, Ex 22:1-4, limits itself to only this class of cases. Restitution was obligatory - five oxen in return for one stolen, four sheep for one. Resistance to robbery even to the death was innocent. If the thief did not or could not restore, he was to be sold for his theft. Prov 6:31 mentions a sevenfold restitution, and Lev 6:1-5 also apparently conflicts with Exodus, because it lays down a trespass-offering and the restoration of the principal and the fifth part more. Perhaps the Law varied. It added to the ignominy of our Lord's position that he was crucified between thieves, or, more properly, robbers. Tradition calls the penitent thief Demas, or Dismas; the impenitent, Gestas. It is probable that at first they both reviled him, but his noble courage softened the heart of "Dismas" into admiration, love, and belief. Luke 23:32, Luke 23:39-43.