Exodus 22:2 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Ver. 2: Breaking up, to wit, an house, which the Chaldee here adds, and by night, as appears from the next verse. For him, i.e. for the thief, though he be killed by a man in his own defence. Because in that case the thief might be presumed to have a worse design, and the owner of the house could neither expect or have the help of others to secure him from the intended violence, nor guide his blows with that discretion and moderation which in the day-time he might use.