Éxodo 23:9

9 Y no angustiarás al extranjero; pues vosotros sabéis cómo se halla el alma del extranjero, ya que extranjeros fuisteis en la tierra de Egipto

Éxodo 23:9 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 23:9

Also thou shall not oppress a stranger
As these were not to be vexed and oppressed in a private manner and by private men, see ( Exodus 22:21 ) so neither in a public manner, and in a public court of judicature, or by judges on the bench when their cause was before them, by not doing them justice, showing a partiality to those of their own nation against a stranger; whereas a stranger ought to have equal justice done him as a native, and the utmost care should be taken that he has no injury done him, and the rather because he is a stranger:

for ye know the heart of a stranger;
the fears he is possessed of, the inward distress of his soul, the anxiety of his mind, the tenderness of his heart, the workings of his passions, his grief and sorrow, and dejection of spirit: the Targum of Jonathan is,

``"the groaning of the soul of a stranger": this the Israelitish judges knew, having had a very late experience of it:''

seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt;
where they had been vexed and oppressed, brought into hard bondage, and groaned under it; and therefore it might be reasonably thought and expected that they would have a heart sympathizing with strangers, and use them well, and especially see that justice was done them, and no injury or oppression of any kind.

Éxodo 23:9 In-Context

7 De palabra de mentira te alejarás, y no matarás al inocente y justo; porque yo no justificaré al impío

8 No recibirás soborno; porque el soborno ciega a los que ven, y pervierte las palabras de los justos

9 Y no angustiarás al extranjero; pues vosotros sabéis cómo se halla el alma del extranjero, ya que extranjeros fuisteis en la tierra de Egipto

10 Seis años sembrarás tu tierra, y recogerás su renta

11 mas el séptimo la dejarás libre y la soltarás, para que coman los pobres de tu pueblo; y de lo que quedare comerán las bestias del campo; así harás de tu viña y de tu olivar