Exodus 22:16-31

Laws of Social Responsibility

16 If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife.

17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.

18 You must not allow a sorceress to live.

19 Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death.

20 If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction. ^[a]

21 You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

22 You must not mistreat any widow or orphan.

23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry.

24 My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless.

25 If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.

26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset,

27 because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

28 You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people. ^[b]

29 You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons.

30 You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.

31 You are to be My holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; you are to throw it to the dogs.

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

• [a]. Forms of the Hebrew cherem refer to the giving over of things or persons to the LORD, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering.
• [b]. LXX or speak evil about the ruler of your people; cited in Acts 23:5