In the Mosaic Law, the treatment of strangers, or foreigners, is a significant theme that underscores the ethical and moral obligations of the Israelites towards those who are not native-born. The term "stranger" in the Hebrew context often refers to a "sojourner" or "alien" residing temporarily or permanently among the Israelites. The Law given through Moses contains specific commandments that address the treatment of these individuals, emphasizing justice, compassion, and equality.

Prohibition of Oppression

The Mosaic Law explicitly prohibits the oppression of strangers. In Exodus 22:21 , it is commanded, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This commandment serves as a reminder of the Israelites' own history as strangers in Egypt, fostering empathy and fair treatment towards foreigners.

Equal Justice

The Law mandates equal justice for strangers and native-born Israelites. Leviticus 24:22 states, "You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God." This principle ensures that strangers are afforded the same legal protections and obligations, reinforcing the idea of impartiality before the law.

Love and Compassion

The Israelites are instructed to love the stranger, reflecting God's love and care for all people. Leviticus 19:34 commands, "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." This directive elevates the treatment of strangers to the level of the second greatest commandment, to love one's neighbor as oneself.

Provision and Inclusion

The Law also includes provisions for the welfare of strangers, ensuring their inclusion in the community's social and religious life. Deuteronomy 10:18-19 highlights God's care for the stranger: "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." This passage emphasizes God's justice and provision, which the Israelites are to emulate.

Participation in Religious Observances

Strangers are allowed to participate in certain religious observances, provided they adhere to the same requirements as the Israelites. For instance, in Exodus 12:48-49 , regarding the Passover, it is stated, "If a foreigner residing with you wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in his household must be circumcised; then he may partake, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you."

Conclusion

The Mosaic Law's directives concerning strangers reflect a divine mandate for justice, compassion, and equality. These laws serve as a constant reminder of the Israelites' own experiences as foreigners and the broader theological principle of God's universal love and justice.Deuteronomy 24:14,17
You shall not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of your brothers, or of your strangers that are in your land within your gates:
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 27:19
Cursed be he that perverts the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 22:3
Thus said the LORD; Execute you judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
Nave's Topical Index

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... be ye reconciled to God," (2:Cor.5:20), is not directed to strangers, but to ... But
we have our strongest argument in the injunctions of the Mosaic Law as to ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through ... foretold under the symbols of
the Mosaic economy, with ... Did the law of Moses prescribe a literal priesthood ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

The Empress Theodora
... representation of the empress, but a mosaic can give ... Testis nullus, applies in history
as well as in law. ... Royal strangers sought to flatter her vanity and to ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xi the empress theodora.htm

Footnotes
... of Charles I. in every thing relating to Scotland ... work written by Durham, entitled,
"The Law Unsealed, or a ... in those days of relentless tyranny and oppression. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... and further concerning lodging-places for strangers, poor-houses ... to all by this present
law that they ... Councils and Ecclesiastical Documents relating to Great ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

What is alienation? What does it mean that we are alienated from God? | GotQuestions.org

How can I overcome peer pressure? | GotQuestions.org

Is it a sin to watch pornography with my spouse? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus