Exodus 23:9
New International Version
“Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.

New Living Translation
“You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

English Standard Version
“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

King James Bible
Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

New King James Version
“Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

New American Standard Bible
“You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.

NASB 1995
“You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.

NASB 1977
“And you shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Legacy Standard Bible
“And you shall not oppress a sojourner, since you yourselves know the soul of a sojourner, for you also were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Amplified Bible
“You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the soul [the feelings, thoughts, and concerns] of a stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt.

Christian Standard Bible
You must not oppress a resident alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be a resident alien because you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must not oppress a foreign resident; you yourselves know how it feels to be a foreigner because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.”

American Standard Version
And a sojourner shalt thou not oppress: for ye know the heart of a sojourner, seeing ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Contemporary English Version
Don't mistreat foreigners. You were foreigners in Egypt, and you know what it is like.

English Revised Version
And a stranger shalt thou not oppress: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Never oppress foreigners. You know what it's like to be foreigners because you were foreigners living in Egypt.

Good News Translation
"Do not mistreat a foreigner; you know how it feels to be a foreigner, because you were foreigners in Egypt.

International Standard Version
You are not to oppress the resident alien, because you were aliens in the land of Egypt."

Majority Standard Bible
Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

NET Bible
"You must not oppress a foreigner, since you know the life of a foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

New Heart English Bible
"You shall not oppress a foreigner, for you know the heart of a foreigner, seeing you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Webster's Bible Translation
Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger; for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

World English Bible
“You shall not oppress an alien, for you know the heart of an alien, since you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you do not oppress a sojourner, since you have known the soul of the sojourner, for you have been sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Young's Literal Translation
'And a sojourner thou dost not oppress, and ye -- ye have known the soul of the sojourner, for sojourners ye have been in the land of Egypt.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not press the stranger: and ye knew the soul of the stranger, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt not molest a stranger, for you know the hearts of strangers: for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall not harass a sojourner, for you know the life of a newcomer. For you yourselves also were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

New American Bible
You shall not oppress a resident alien; you well know how it feels to be an alien, since you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not oppress a resident alien; you know the heart of an alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not oppress strangers: for you know the life of a stranger; you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And do not distress foreigners, for you know the soul of foreigners, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And a stranger shalt thou not oppress; for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall not afflict a stranger, for ye know the heart of a stranger; for ye were yourselves strangers in the land of Egypt.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Justice and Mercy
8Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. 9Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Cross References
Leviticus 19:34
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.

Deuteronomy 10:19
So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 24:17-18
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.

Leviticus 19:33
When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him.

Deuteronomy 27:19
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

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.

Psalm 146:9
The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Matthew 25:35
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,

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Galatians 5:14
The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

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.


Treasury of Scripture

Also you shall not oppress a stranger: for you know the heart of a stranger, seeing you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

thou shalt not

Exodus 21:21
Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.

Deuteronomy 10:19
Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 24:14-18
Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: …

ye know

Matthew 18:33
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Hebrews 2:17,18
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people…

heart.

Jump to Previous
Alien Aliens Country Egypt Experience Far Feelings Feels Hard Heart Oppress Sojourner Sojourners Soul Spirit Strange Stranger Strangers Yourselves
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Alien Aliens Country Egypt Experience Far Feelings Feels Hard Heart Oppress Sojourner Sojourners Soul Spirit Strange Stranger Strangers Yourselves
Exodus 23
1. Of slander, false witness, and partiality
4. Of charitableness
6. Of justice in judgment
8. Of taking bribes
9. Of oppressing a stranger
10. Of the year of rest
12. Of the Sabbath
13. Of idolatry
14. Of the three feasts
18. Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice
20. An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him














Do not oppress a foreigner
The Hebrew word for "foreigner" is "ger," which refers to a sojourner or a temporary resident who is not native to the land. In ancient Israel, foreigners were often vulnerable and lacked the protection of family or tribal connections. The command not to oppress them reflects God's justice and compassion, emphasizing the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and fairness. This directive aligns with the broader biblical theme of loving one's neighbor and caring for the marginalized, as seen in Leviticus 19:34.

you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners
This phrase serves as a reminder to the Israelites of their own history and experiences. The Hebrew word "yadah" for "know" implies an intimate, experiential knowledge. The Israelites' time in Egypt as foreigners and slaves was a formative period that shaped their identity and understanding of God's deliverance. By recalling their past, they are encouraged to empathize with others in similar situations, fostering a community built on shared experiences and mutual respect.

because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt
The reference to Egypt is significant, as it was a place of both refuge and oppression for the Israelites. Initially, Egypt provided a haven during a famine, but it later became a place of bondage. This duality highlights the complexity of the foreigner experience and serves as a powerful reminder of God's deliverance. The Israelites' liberation from Egypt is a central narrative in their history, symbolizing God's power and faithfulness. By invoking this memory, the verse calls the Israelites to reflect God's character in their treatment of others, particularly those who are vulnerable and in need of protection.

(9) Thou shalt not oppress a stranger.--See Note on Exodus 22:21. The repetition of the law indicates the strong inclination of the Hebrew people to ill-use strangers, and the anxiety of the legislator to check their inclination.

Verse 9. - Thou shalt not oppress a stranger. This is a repetition of Exodus 22:21, with perhaps a special reference to oppression through courts of justice. For thou knowest the heart of a stranger. Literally, "the mind of a stranger," or, in other words, his thoughts and feelings. Thou shouldest therefore be able to sympathise with him. CEREMONIAL LAWS (vers. 10-19).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

oppress
תִלְחָ֑ץ (ṯil·ḥāṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3905: To squeeze, press, oppress

a foreign resident,
וְגֵ֖ר (wə·ḡêr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner

since you
וְאַתֶּ֗ם (wə·’at·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

yourselves know
יְדַעְתֶּם֙ (yə·ḏa‘·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

how it feels to be foreigners;
הַגֵּ֔ר (hag·gêr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you were
הֱיִיתֶ֖ם (hĕ·yî·ṯem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

foreigners
גֵרִ֥ים (ḡê·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner

in the land
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt.
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa


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OT Law: Exodus 23:9 You shall not oppress an alien (Exo. Ex)
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