Exodus 22:21-27

Exodus 22:21-27

[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  and they cry  unto me, I will surely  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  that is poor  by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer,  neither shalt thou lay  upon him usury.  [26] If thou at all  thy neighbour's  raiment  to pledge,  thou shalt deliver  it unto him by  that the sun  goeth down:  [27] For that is his covering  only, 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. 

What does Exodus 22:21-27 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The next collection of laws deals with various forms of oppression. The first section deals with love for the poor and needy. While the Israelites were not to tolerate the idolatrous customs of foreigners, they were to manifest love toward the foreigners themselves as well as toward the poor and needy generally. The Israelites were to remember the oppression they had endured in Egypt and were to refrain from oppressing others. They were not only to refrain from doing evil but were to do positive good ( Exodus 22:26-27; cf. Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14).