Exodus 22:22

22 Gij zult geen weduwe noch wees beledigen.

Exodus 22:22 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 22:22

Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.
] Who have no friends, husband, or father to be on their side and protect them, and are weak and helpless to defend themselves, and therefore it must be barbarous to do them any injury, either to their persons or property; no one ought to be afflicted and distressed by another, either in body or mind, or substance, and especially such as have no helper, not any to assist them and sympathize with them; for this is a law for every man, as Jarchi observes, is binding upon all; only the Scripture speaks of these, because of their weakness, and because they are more frequently afflicted than others, cruel and unmerciful men taking the advantage of their inability to defend themselves.

Exodus 22:22 In-Context

20 Wie de goden offert, behalve den HEERE alleen, die zal verbannen worden.

21 Gij zult ook den vreemdeling geen overlast doen, noch hem onderdrukken; want gij zijt vreemdelingen geweest in Egypteland.

22 Gij zult geen weduwe noch wees beledigen.

23 Indien gij hen enigszins beledigt, en indien zij enigszins tot Mij roepen, Ik zal hun geroep zekerlijk verhoren;

24 En Mijn toorn zal ontsteken, en Ik zal ulieden met het zwaard doden; en uw vrouwen zullen weduwen, en uw kinderen zullen wezen worden.