Êxodo 23:9

9 Outrossim, não oprimirás o estrangeiro; pois vós conheceis o coração do estrangeiro, porque fostes estrangeiros na terra do Egito.

Êxodo 23:9 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 23:9

Also thou shall not oppress a stranger
As these were not to be vexed and oppressed in a private manner and by private men, see ( Exodus 22:21 ) so neither in a public manner, and in a public court of judicature, or by judges on the bench when their cause was before them, by not doing them justice, showing a partiality to those of their own nation against a stranger; whereas a stranger ought to have equal justice done him as a native, and the utmost care should be taken that he has no injury done him, and the rather because he is a stranger:

for ye know the heart of a stranger;
the fears he is possessed of, the inward distress of his soul, the anxiety of his mind, the tenderness of his heart, the workings of his passions, his grief and sorrow, and dejection of spirit: the Targum of Jonathan is,

``"the groaning of the soul of a stranger": this the Israelitish judges knew, having had a very late experience of it:''

seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt;
where they had been vexed and oppressed, brought into hard bondage, and groaned under it; and therefore it might be reasonably thought and expected that they would have a heart sympathizing with strangers, and use them well, and especially see that justice was done them, and no injury or oppression of any kind.

Êxodo 23:9 In-Context

7 Guarda-te de acusares falsamente, e não matarás o inocente e justo; porque não justificarei o ímpio.

8 Também não aceitarás peita, porque a peita cega os que têm vista, e perverte as palavras dos justos.

9 Outrossim, não oprimirás o estrangeiro; pois vós conheceis o coração do estrangeiro, porque fostes estrangeiros na terra do Egito.

10 Seis anos semearás tua terra, e recolherás os seus frutos;

11 mas no sétimo ano a deixarás descansar e ficar em pousio, para que os pobres do teu povo possam comer, e do que estes deixarem comam os animais do campo. Assim farás com a tua vinha e com o teu olival.