Exodus 22:19-29

19 "Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.

20 "He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

21 "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger nor oppress him, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

22 Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.

23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry;

24 and My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

25 "If thou lend money to any of My people who are poor among thee, thou shalt not be to him as a usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.

26 If thou at all take thy neighbor's raiment in pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by the time the sun goeth down,

27 for that is his only covering. It is his raiment for his skin. Wherein shall he sleep? And it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto Me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.

28 "Thou shalt not revile the judges, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

29 "Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits and of thy liquors. The firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto Me.

Exodus 22:19-29 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.