Exodus 22:17-27

17 Yf hir father refuse to geue her vnto him, he shall paye money acordynge to the dowrie of virgens.

18 Thou shalt not suffre a witch to lyue,

19 who soeuer lyeth with a beest, shalbe slayne for it.

20 He that offreth vnto ony goddes saue vnto the Lorde only, let him dye without redemption

21 vexe not a straunger nether oppresse him for ye were straungers in the londe of Egipte.

22 Ye shall trouble no wedowe nor fatherlesse childe:

23 Yf ye shall trouble the: they shall crye vnto me, ad I wyll surely heare their crye

24 and then will my wrath waxe hoote and I will kyll you with swerde, and youre wyues shalbe wedowes and youre childern fatherlesse.

25 Yf thou lende money to ani of my people that is poore by the, thou shalt not be as an vsurer vnto him, nether shalt oppresse him with vserye.

26 Yf thou take thi neghbours raymet to pledge, se that thou delyuer it vnto him agayne by that the sonne goo doune.

27 For that is his couerlet only: eue the rayment for his skynne wherin he slepeth: or els he will crye vnto me ad I will heare him, for I am mercyfull.

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.