Exodus 22:28-31

28 “Do not blaspheme God^[a] or curse the ruler of your people.

29 “Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.^[b]“You must give me the firstborn of your sons.

30 Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.

31 “You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.

Exodus 22:28-31 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 24:11,16
• 2. 2 Samuel 16:5,9; 2 Samuel 19:21; 1 Kings 21:10; 2 Kings 2:23; Psalms 102:8
• 3. Ecclesiastes 10:20; Acts 23:5*
• 4. Ex 23:15,16,19; Exodus 34:20,26; Leviticus 19:24; Leviticus 23:10; Numbers 18:13; Numbers 28:26; Deuteronomy 18:4; Deuteronomy 26:2,10; 1 Samuel 6:3; Nehemiah 10:35; Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:10
• 5. S Exodus 13:2; Numbers 8:16-17; Luke 2:23
• 6. Exodus 34:19; Exodus 13:12; Deuteronomy 15:19
• 7. Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3; Leviticus 22:27
• 8. Exodus 19:6; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 22:31; Ezra 9:2
• 9. Leviticus 7:24; Leviticus 17:15; Leviticus 22:8; Deuteronomy 14:21; Ezekiel 4:14; Ezekiel 44:31

Footnotes

• [a] Or "Do not revile the judges"
• [b] The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.