Exodus 22:24

24 I will become angry and have you killed in combat. Then your wives and children will become widows and orphans.

Exodus 22:24 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 22:24

And my wrath shall wax hot
Against those that afflict them, being so devoid of humanity, compassion, and tenderness, and so guilty of oppression and injustice, which are aggravated by the circumstances of the persons they ill treat, and therefore the more provoking to God:

and I will kill you with the sword;
with the sword of death, says the Targum of Jonathan; it designs one of God's sore judgments, the sword of an enemy; the meaning is, that when such evils should become frequent among them, God would suffer a neighbouring nation to break in upon them in an hostile way, and put them to the sword; hence it follows:

and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless;
be in the same circumstances with those they have injured, and therefore should consider not only the destruction that would come upon themselves, being cutoff by the sword, but the case of their families; and how, could they be sensible of it, they would like to have their wives and children used as they have used the widows and fatherless.

Exodus 22:24 In-Context

22 "Never take advantage of any widow or orphan.

23 If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure that I will hear their cry.

24 I will become angry and have you killed in combat. Then your wives and children will become widows and orphans.

25 "If you lend money to my people--to any poor person among you--never act like a moneylender. Charge no interest.

26 If you take any of your neighbor's clothes as collateral, give it back to him by sunset.