Exodus 22:16-31

16 And if a man seduce a virgin that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall certainly endow her, to be his wife.
17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall weigh money according to the dowry of virgins.
18 -- Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
19 -- Every one that lieth with a beast shall certainly be put to death.
20 -- He that sacrificeth to [any] god, save to Jehovah only, shall be devoted to destruction.
21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him; for ye have been strangers in the land of Egypt.
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.
23 If thou afflict him in any way, if he cry at all unto me, I will certainly hear his cry;
24 and my anger shall burn, and I will slay you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25 -- If thou lend money to my people, the poor with thee, thou shalt not be to him as a usurer: ye shall charge him no interest.
26 -- If thou at all take thy neighbour's garment in pledge, thou shalt return it to him before the sun goes down;
27 for that is his only covering, his garment for his skin: on what shall he lie down? And it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
28 Thou shalt not revile the judges, nor curse a prince amongst thy people.
29 -- Thou shalt not delay the fulness of thy [threshing-floor] and the outflow of thy [winepress]. The firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
30 Likewise shalt thou do with thy calf, with thy sheep: seven days shall it be with its dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
31 -- And ye shall be holy men unto me; and ye shall not eat flesh torn in the field: ye shall cast it to the dog.

Exodus 22:16-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 22

This chapter contains various laws concerning theft, Ex 22:1-4, concerning damage done to fields and vineyards by beasts, and to corn in stacks or standing, by fire, Ex 22:5,6, concerning anything or creature deposited in the hands of a neighbour, and they be stolen or lost by one means or another, Ex 22:7-13, concerning anything borrowed, and it comes to any damage, Ex 22:14,15, concerning fornication, Ex 22:16,17 concerning witchcraft, bestiality, and idolatry, Ex 22:18-20 concerning oppression, and affliction of the stranger, fatherless, and widow, Ex 22:21-24 concerning taking usury and pledges, Ex 22:25-27, concerning irreverence to magistrates, Ex 22:28, concerning the offering of firstfruits to God, Ex 22:29,30 and the chapter is concluded with a prohibition of eating anything torn by beasts, Ex 22:31.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or 'God' lit. Elohim: see Note c, ch. 21.6.
  • [b]. Lit. 'tears.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.