Exodus 22:21-27

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.

25 “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.

26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset,

27 because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

Exodus 22:21-27 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. Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:33; Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 15:14; Deuteronomy 1:16; Deuteronomy 24:17; Ezekiel 22:29
• 2. Deuteronomy 10:19; Deuteronomy 27:19; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5
• 3. 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
• 4. Luke 18:7
• 5. Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 15:9; Deuteronomy 24:15; Job 34:28; Job 35:9; Psalms 10:14,17; Psalms 12:5; Psalms 18:6; Psalms 34:15; James 5:4
• 6. Psalms 69:24; Psalms 109:9; Lamentations 5:3
• 7. Leviticus 25:35-37; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Deuteronomy 23:20; Nehemiah 5:7,10; Psalms 15:5; Ezekiel 18:8
• 8. S ver 22; Proverbs 20:16; Ezekiel 33:15; Amos 2:8; Deuteronomy 24:6
• 9. Deuteronomy 24:13,17; Job 22:6; Job 24:7; Job 29:11; Job 31:19-20; Ezekiel 18:12,16
• 10. Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 4:31; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 99:8; Psalms 103:8; Psalms 116:5; Psalms 145:8; Joel 2:13; John 4:2