Exodus 22:22

22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.

Exodus 22:22 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
English Standard Version (ESV)
22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.
New Living Translation (NLT)
22 “You must not exploit a widow or an orphan.
The Message Bible (MSG)
22 "Don't mistreat widows or orphans.
American Standard Version (ASV)
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
22 "Never take advantage of any widow or orphan.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
22 "You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
22 "Do not take advantage of widows. Do not take advantage of children whose fathers have died.

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 “Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.
21 “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.
22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.
23 If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
24 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.

Cross References 1

  • 1. ver 26; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 24:6,10,12,17; Job 22:6,9; Job 24:3,21; Psalms 68:5; Psalms 146:9; Proverbs 23:10; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:5,6; Jeremiah 21:12; Jeremiah 22:3; Ezekiel 18:5-9,12; Zechariah 7:9-10; Malachi 3:5; James 1:27
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