Exodus 22 Study Notes

22:19 According to John Durham, the prohibition on sex with animals is “not only because it was a sexual deviation (cp. Lv 18:23; 20:16; Dt 27:21), but even more because of its associations with animal cults and fertility worship.”

22:20 The kind of sacrifices mentioned here involved fellowship between the deity and the worshiper. The Israelites must be loyal to and have fellowship with the Lord alone.

22:21-27 The Israelites were to remember who they were and their mistreatment in Egypt, and they were to remember that the Lord would take action on behalf of the powerless and vulnerable members of society, especially within Israel (cp. Lv 25:35-38). The word translated oppress in v. 21 and 23:9 is used in 3:9 to describe what prompted the Israelites to call out for help. They needed to avoid putting themselves in the position of the Egyptians. The mention of collateral consisting of a garment needed for warmth at night shows that the loan involved helping a poverty-stricken person survive. No luxury or business venture is in view.

22:28 Respect for God displayed in behavior toward others is an issue in the verses that precede and follow this one. Respect for a leader is included, perhaps in both halves of the verse, if the Hebrew word elohim has the same reference to “judges” that it seems to have in vv. 8-9.

22:29-30 Offerings and the firstborn of humans and animals belonged to God. Only the firstborn of animals suitable for sacrificing were actually sacrificed. Others were redeemed for a price.

22:31 Be my holy people recalls the fuller description of the Lord’s vision for Israel in 19:4-6 but is expressed more personally by listing individual choices. Leviticus provides further directions about what the Israelites could eat (Lv 17:12-15).