CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 22:21 You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/22-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/02_Exo_22_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 22:21 - Laws of Social Responsibility" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/22-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/22-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/22.htm">Chapter 22</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm" title="Exodus 22:20">◄</a> Exodus 22:21 <a href="/exodus/22-22.htm" title="Exodus 22:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/22.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/22.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not oppress a stranger nor torment him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And you shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall not mistreat a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You must not exploit a resident alien or oppress him, since you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not exploit a foreign resident or oppress him, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And a sojourner shalt thou not wrong, neither shalt thou oppress him: for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Do not mistreat or abuse foreigners who live among you. Remember, you were foreigners in Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And a stranger shalt thou not wrong, neither shalt thou oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Never mistreat or oppress foreigners, because you were foreigners living in Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner; remember that you were foreigners in Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to wrong or oppress an alien, because you were aliens in the land of Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You must not wrong a foreigner nor oppress him, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"You shall not wrong a foreigner, neither shall you oppress him, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you do not oppress a sojourner, nor crush him, for you have been sojourners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And a sojourner thou dost not oppress, nor crush him, for sojourners ye have been in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not treat evil the stranger, and thou shalt not press him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not molest a stranger, nor afflict him: for yourselves also were strangers in the land of Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not harass the newcomer, nor shall you afflict him. For you yourselves were once newcomers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not oppress or afflict a resident alien, for you were once aliens residing in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall neither harm a stranger nor oppress him; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And do not harm, neither distress settlers, because you were settlers in the land of Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And a stranger shalt thou not wrong, neither shalt thou oppress him; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall not hurt a stranger, nor afflict him; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/22-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5645" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/22.htm">Laws of Social Responsibility</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3238.htm" title="3238: ṯō·w·neh (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To oppress, maltreat, perhaps suppress. A primitive root; to rage or be violent: by implication, to suppress, to maltreat.">exploit</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/3905.htm" title="3905: ṯil·ḥā·ṣen·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- To squeeze, press, oppress. A primitive root; properly, to press, i.e. to distress.">oppress</a> <a href="/hebrew/1616.htm" title="1616: wə·ḡêr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A sojourner. Or geyr; from guwr; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner.">a foreign resident,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hĕ·yî·ṯem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">you yourselves were</a> <a href="/hebrew/1616.htm" title="1616: ḡê·rîm (N-mp) -- A sojourner. Or geyr; from guwr; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner.">foreigners</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bə·’e·reṣ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·rā·yim (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">of Egypt.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>You must not mistreat any widow or orphan.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-33.htm">Leviticus 19:33-34</a></span><br />When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. / You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18-19</a></span><br />He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. / So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/24-17.htm">Deuteronomy 24:17-18</a></span><br />Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. / Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from that place. Therefore I am commanding you to do this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm">Deuteronomy 27:19</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-6.htm">Jeremiah 7:6</a></span><br />if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a></span><br />“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a></span><br />For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Luke 10:30-37</a></span><br />Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. / So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-13.htm">Romans 12:13</a></span><br />Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a></span><br />Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a></span><br />The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12-19</a></span><br />remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. / For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Hebrews 13:2</a></span><br />Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.</p><p class="hdg">vex a stranger</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Exodus 23:9</a></b></br> Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-33.htm">Leviticus 19:33</a></b></br> And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/25-35.htm">Leviticus 25:35</a></b></br> And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: <i>yea, though he be</i> a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.</p><p class="hdg">for ye were strangers</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-2.htm">Exodus 20:2</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Exodus 23:9</a></b></br> Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/10-19.htm">Deuteronomy 10:19</a></b></br> Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/18-3.htm">Alien</a> <a href="/exodus/6-4.htm">Aliens</a> <a href="/exodus/18-27.htm">Country</a> <a href="/exodus/15-6.htm">Crush</a> <a href="/exodus/20-2.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/genesis/31-50.htm">Mistreat</a> <a href="/exodus/3-9.htm">Oppress</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/exodus/12-19.htm">Sojourners</a> <a href="/exodus/21-8.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/exodus/6-4.htm">Strangers</a> <a href="/colossians/3-21.htm">Vex</a> <a href="/exodus/9-27.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/exodus/20-23.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Alien</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Aliens</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Country</a> <a href="/numbers/24-8.htm">Crush</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-33.htm">Mistreat</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Oppress</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Sojourners</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Strangers</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-18.htm">Vex</a> <a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-1.htm">Of Theft</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-5.htm">Of damage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-7.htm">Of trespasses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-14.htm">Of borrowing</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Of fornication</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-18.htm">Of witchcraft</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-19.htm">Of bestiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Of strangers, widows, and fatherless</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Of usury</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-26.htm">Of pledges</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-28.htm">Of reverence to magistrates</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-29.htm">Of the first fruits</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-31.htm">Of torn flesh</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident</b><br>This command is part of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, emphasizing justice and compassion. The term "foreign resident" refers to non-Israelites living among the Israelites, often without the same rights as native-born citizens. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, foreigners were vulnerable to exploitation due to their lack of familial and legal protection. This command reflects God's concern for justice and the protection of the marginalized, aligning with His character as a defender of the oppressed (<a href="/psalms/146-9.htm">Psalm 146:9</a>). The principle of treating foreigners with kindness is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to love their neighbors as themselves (<a href="/matthew/22-39.htm">Matthew 22:39</a>).<p><b>for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt</b><br>This phrase serves as a reminder of Israel's own history of oppression and deliverance. The Israelites' experience in Egypt, where they were enslaved and mistreated, is a foundational narrative in their identity as God's chosen people. This historical context is meant to cultivate empathy and humility, urging them to treat others with the compassion they wished they had received. The memory of their deliverance from Egypt is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing God's power and faithfulness (<a href="/exodus/20-2.htm">Exodus 20:2</a>). It also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who frees humanity from the bondage of sin (<a href="/john/8-36.htm">John 8:36</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/f/foreign_resident.htm">Foreign Resident (Ger in Hebrew)</a></b><br>Refers to a non-Israelite living among the Israelites. The term "ger" implies someone who resides temporarily or permanently in a land not their own, often without the full rights of citizenship.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who were once foreigners in Egypt and are now being instructed on how to treat foreigners among them.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites were enslaved for 400 years. Their experience as foreigners in Egypt is a foundational memory that shapes their identity and ethical obligations.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader and prophet who delivered God's laws to the Israelites, including this commandment, as part of the covenant at Mount Sinai.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where God gave the Law to Moses, including the commandments found in Exodus, which were meant to guide the Israelites in their covenant relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/e/empathy_from_experience.htm">Empathy from Experience</a></b><br>The Israelites' past as foreigners in Egypt is a call to empathy. Remembering personal or communal experiences of being outsiders can foster compassion and understanding towards others in similar situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_heart_for_justice.htm">God's Heart for Justice</a></b><br>This command reflects God's character as just and compassionate. Believers are called to mirror these attributes in their treatment of others, especially the marginalized.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hospitality_as_a_witness.htm">Hospitality as a Witness</a></b><br>Showing kindness and hospitality to foreigners can be a powerful testimony of God's love and grace. It opens doors for sharing the Gospel and building community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_sensitivity.htm">Cultural Sensitivity</a></b><br>Understanding and respecting cultural differences is crucial in treating foreigners with dignity and love. This requires active listening and learning from those who are different from us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legal_and_social_responsibility.htm">Legal and Social Responsibility</a></b><br>While this command was given in a theocratic context, it challenges modern believers to advocate for fair and just treatment of immigrants and refugees within their own legal and social systems.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_treat_foreigners_here.htm">How should we treat foreigners among us?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_bribery.htm">How should we treat foreigners among us?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_diversity,_inclusion.htm">What does the Bible say about diversity and inclusion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_mercy_and_conquest_reconcile.htm">Zechariah 7:9–10 commands mercy and compassion; how do these ideals reconcile with earlier Old Testament accounts of conquest and violence? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21-24) The juxtaposition of laws against oppression with three crimes of the deepest dye seems intended to indicate that oppression is among the sins which are most hateful in God's sight. The lawgiver, however, does not say that it is to be punished capitally, nor, indeed, does he affix to it any legal penalty. Instead of so doing, he declares that God Himself will punish it "with the sword" (<a href="/exodus/22-24.htm" title="And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.">Exodus 22:24</a>). Three classes of persons particularly liable to be oppressed are selected for mention--(1) Strangers, <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>foreigners; (2) widows; and (3) orphans. Strangers have seldom been protected by any legislation, unless, indeed, they formed a class of permanent residents, like the Met?ci at Athens. The law of civilised communities has generally afforded some protection to the orphan and the widow, particularly in respect of rights of property. The protection given is, however, very generally insufficient; and it is of the highest importance that it should be supplemented by an assured belief that, beyond all legal penalties there lies the Divine sentence of wrath and punishment, certain to fall upon every one who, careless of law and right, makes the stranger, the widow, or the orphan to suffer wrong at his hands.<p>(21) F<span class= "bld">or ye were strangers.</span>--Ye should, therefore, sympathise with "strangers;" not "vex them," not "oppress them," but "love them as yourselves" (<a href="/leviticus/19-34.htm" title="But the stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.">Leviticus 19:34</a>). The condition of foreigners in Israel is shown to have been more than tolerable by the examples of the Kenites (<a href="/judges/1-16.htm" title="And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lies in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelled among the people.">Judges 1:16</a>; <a href="/judges/4-11.htm" title="Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent to the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.">Judges 4:11</a>); of Araunah the Jebusite (<a href="/context/2_samuel/24-18.htm" title="And Gad came that day to David, and said to him, Go up, raise an altar to the LORD in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.">2Samuel 24:18-24</a>); of Uriah the Hittite (<a href="/2_samuel/23-39.htm" title="Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.">2Samuel 23:39</a>), Zelek the Ammonite (<a href="/2_samuel/23-37.htm" title="Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armor bearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,">2Samuel 23:37</a>), and others. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="accented">Law against oppression of foreigners</span>. It may be doubted whether such a law as this was ever made in any other country. Foreigners are generally looked upon as "fair game," whom the natives of a country may ridicule and annoy at their pleasure. Native politeness gives them an exceptional position in France; but elsewhere it is the general rule to "vex" them. The Mosaic legislation protested strongly against this practice (<a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Exodus 23:9</a>; <a href="/leviticus/19-33.htm">Leviticus 19:33</a>), and even required the Israelites to "love the stranger who dwelt with them as <span class="accented">themselves"</span> (<a href="/leviticus/19-34.htm">Leviticus 19:34</a>). <span class="cmt_word">For ye were strangers</span>. Compare <a href="/leviticus/19-34.htm">Leviticus 19:34</a>, and <a href="/deuteronomy/10-19.htm">Deuteronomy 10:19</a>. In <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Exodus 23:9</a> the addition is made - "For ye know the heart of a stranger" - ye know; <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, the feelings which strangers have when they are vexed and oppressed - ye know this by your own sad experience, and should therefore have a tenderness for strangers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/22-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">exploit</span><br /><span class="heb">תוֹנֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·w·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3238.htm">Strong's 3238: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rage, be violent, to suppress, to maltreat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">oppress</span><br /><span class="heb">תִלְחָצֶ֑נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯil·ḥā·ṣen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3905.htm">Strong's 3905: </a> </span><span class="str2">To squeeze, press, oppress</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a foreign resident,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְגֵ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḡêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1616.htm">Strong's 1616: </a> </span><span class="str2">A guest, a foreigner</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you [yourselves] were</span><br /><span class="heb">הֱיִיתֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(hĕ·yî·ṯem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">foreigners</span><br /><span class="heb">גֵרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḡê·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1616.htm">Strong's 1616: </a> </span><span class="str2">A guest, a foreigner</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the land</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאֶ֥רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Egypt.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְרָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·rā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">OT Law: Exodus 22:21 You shall not wrong an alien neither (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 22:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 22:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/22-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 22:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 22:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>