Exodus 22:17-27

17 But if her father refuses to give her to him, he must pay a sum equivalent to the bride-price for virgins.

18 "You are not to permit a sorceress to live.

19 "Whoever has sexual relations with an animal must be put to death.

20 "Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than ADONAI alone is to be completely destroyed.

21 "You must neither wrong nor oppress a foreigner living among you, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

22 "You are not to abuse any widow or orphan.

23 If you do abuse them in any way, and they cry to me, I will certainly heed their cry.

24 My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword - your own wives will be widows and your own children fatherless.

25 "If you loan money to one of my people who is poor, you are not to deal with him as would a creditor; and you are not to charge him interest.

26 If you take your neighbor's coat as collateral, you are to restore it to him by sundown,

27 because it is his only garment - he needs it to wrap his body; what else does he have in which to sleep? Moreover, if he cries out to me, I will listen; because I am compassionate.

Exodus 22:17-27 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.