He shall restore seven-fold. Quest. How doth this agree with God's law, which required only that he should restore double, or at most fourfold, or fivefold? Exodus 22:1:4. Answ.
1. The number of seven may be here put indefinitely for many times, as it is Genesis 4:24 Leviticus 26:28, and in many other places.
2. Some think that as thefts were multiplied, so the punishment of it was increased, in Solomon's time; or, at least, that it was the practice of some nations to require this sevenfold restitution.
3. He speaks not of that restitution which the law required, but of that which either the wronged person being potent might force the thief to make, or which the thief would willingly give rather than be exposed to public shame; as appears by the following clause, wherein he adds to this sevenfold restitution all his substance, which no law of God or man required. See Poole on "Exodus 22:4".