Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. New Living Translation “You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. English Standard Version You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. Berean Standard Bible You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. King James Bible Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. New King James Version “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. New American Standard Bible You shall not oppress any widow or orphan. NASB 1995 “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. NASB 1977 “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. Legacy Standard Bible You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. Amplified Bible You shall not harm or oppress any widow or fatherless child. Christian Standard Bible “You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. Holman Christian Standard Bible You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. American Standard Version Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. Contemporary English Version Do not mistreat widows or orphans. English Revised Version Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Never take advantage of any widow or orphan. Good News Translation Do not mistreat any widow or orphan. International Standard Version "You are not to mistreat any widow or orphan. Majority Standard Bible You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. NET Bible "You must not afflict any widow or orphan. New Heart English Bible "You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child. Webster's Bible Translation Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. World English Bible “You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYou do not afflict any widow or orphan; Young's Literal Translation 'Any widow or orphan ye do not afflict; Smith's Literal Translation Every widow and orphan ye shall not afflict. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleYou shall not hurt a widow or an orphan. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall not harm a widow or an orphan. New American Bible You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. New Revised Standard Version You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou shall not harm any widow or orphan. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And do not harm any widow or orphan. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. Brenton Septuagint Translation Ye shall hurt no widow or orphan. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Laws of Social Responsibility…21You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. 22You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. 23If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry.… Cross References James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Deuteronomy 10:18 He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Jeremiah 22:3 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. Zechariah 7:10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ Malachi 3:5 “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. Matthew 25:35-40 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? ... Luke 18:1-8 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ... Acts 6:1-7 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them ... 1 Timothy 5:3-16 Honor the widows who are truly widows. / But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. / The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers. ... Job 29:12-13 because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. / The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. Proverbs 23:10-11 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, / for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you. Psalm 146:9 The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates. Isaiah 10:1-2 Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. Treasury of Scripture You shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. Deuteronomy 10:18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Deuteronomy 24:17 Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge: Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen. Jump to Previous Advantage Afflict Child Dead Fatherless Orphan Widow WrongJump to Next Advantage Afflict Child Dead Fatherless Orphan Widow WrongExodus 22 1. Of Theft5. Of damage 7. Of trespasses 14. Of borrowing 16. Of fornication 18. Of witchcraft 19. Of bestiality 20. Of idolatry 21. Of strangers, widows, and fatherless 25. Of usury 26. Of pledges 28. Of reverence to magistrates 29. Of the first fruits 31. Of torn flesh You must not mistreat This command is part of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, emphasizing justice and compassion. The Hebrew word for "mistreat" implies oppression or affliction. This reflects God's character as a defender of the vulnerable, seen throughout Scripture. The law was given in a time when social structures often left widows and orphans without protection, making them susceptible to exploitation. This command underscores the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect, aligning with the broader biblical theme of loving one's neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). any widow or orphan Persons / Places / Events 1. Widows and OrphansIn ancient Israel, widows and orphans were among the most vulnerable members of society. Without a husband or father, they often lacked financial support and protection. 2. Israelite Society The context of this command is within the laws given to the Israelites, a community called to live in covenant relationship with God and to reflect His justice and compassion. 3. Mosaic Law This verse is part of the Mosaic Law, a set of instructions given by God through Moses to guide the Israelites in living a life that honors God and promotes social justice. Teaching Points God's Heart for the VulnerableGod’s command not to mistreat widows and orphans reflects His deep compassion and justice. As believers, we are called to mirror this aspect of God's character by actively caring for those who are vulnerable in our communities. Social Responsibility The command underscores the importance of social responsibility. Christians are encouraged to engage in acts of kindness and justice, ensuring that the needs of the marginalized are met. Reflecting God's Justice By protecting and providing for widows and orphans, believers demonstrate the justice and righteousness of God. This is a practical expression of living out our faith. Community Support The church is called to be a community that supports and uplifts those who are without family support, creating a family-like environment for them. Obedience to God's Commands Obedience to God's commands, such as caring for widows and orphans, is a tangible way to show our love for God and our commitment to His ways.Verses 22-24. - Law against oppressing widows and orphans. With the stranger are naturally placed the widow and orphan; like him, weak and defenceless; like him, special objects of God's care. The negative precept here given was followed up by numerous positive enactments in favour of the widow and the orphan, which much ameliorated their sad lot. (See Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9, 10; Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 16:11, 14; Deuteronomy 24:19-21; Deuteronomy 26:12, 13.) On the whole, these laws appear to have been fairly well observed by the Israelites; but there were times when, in spite of them, poor widows suffered much oppression. (See Psalm 94:6; Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 10:2; Jeremiah 7:3-6; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5; Matthew 23:14.) The prophets denounce this backsliding in the strongest terms. Verse 22. - Ye shall not afflict. The word translated "afflict" is of wide signification. including ill-usage of all kinds. "Oppress," and even "vex," are stronger terms. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You must notלֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no mistreat תְעַנּֽוּן׃ (ṯə·‘an·nūn) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted any כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every widow אַלְמָנָ֥ה (’al·mā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place or orphan. וְיָת֖וֹם (wə·yā·ṯō·wm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3490: A bereaved person Links Exodus 22:22 NIVExodus 22:22 NLT Exodus 22:22 ESV Exodus 22:22 NASB Exodus 22:22 KJV Exodus 22:22 BibleApps.com Exodus 22:22 Biblia Paralela Exodus 22:22 Chinese Bible Exodus 22:22 French Bible Exodus 22:22 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 22:22 You shall not take advantage of any (Exo. Ex) |
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