§ 267. If the shepherd is careless and causes a loss in the fold, the shepherd shall make good in cattle or sheep the loss which he caused in the fold and shall give them to the owner.
The nearest approach in the Old Testament to laws of this character is in Exod. 22:10-13, which provides that, if a man deliver to his neighbor an ox, or ass, or sheep, or any beast to keep, and it dies, or is injured or is carried off when no one sees the deed, the oath of Jehovah shall be between them that the keeper has not put his hand to his neighbor’s goods. The owner was to accept this, and no restitution was necessary. If the animals were stolen from the keeper, he must make restitution. If they were torn in pieces by beasts of prey, he must bring the pieces for witness, and need not make restitution.
The same general principles of the limits of responsibility underlay the two codes in these cases, though they differ in details. In Israel the shepherding of the flocks and herds of other people was not, as in Babylonia, a distinct occupation.
On Wages of Animals and Men
§ 268. If a man hires an ox for threshing, 20 Qa of grain is its hire.
§ 269. If he hires an ass for threshing, 10 Qa of grain is its hire.
§ 270. If he hires a kid for threshing, 1 Qa of grain is its hire.
§ 271. If he hires cattle, a wagon and a driver, he shall pay 180 Qa of grain per day.
§ 272. If a man hires a wagon only, he shall pay 40 Qa of grain per day.
§ 273. If a man hires a field-laborer from the beginning of the year until the fifth month, he shall pay him 6 She of silver per day; from the sixth month to the end of the year, 5 She of silver per day he shall pay.