King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, [nor] of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:
Complete Jewish Bible:
"You are not to deprive the foreigner or the orphan of the justice which is his due, and you are not to take a widow's clothing as collateral for a loan.
Berean Standard Bible:
Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security.
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt not wrest the justice due to the sojourner, or to the fatherless, nor take the widow’s raiment to pledge;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt not pervert{H5186} the judgment{H4941} of the stranger{H1616}, nor of the fatherless{H3490}; nor take{H2254} a widow's{H490} raiment{H899} to pledge{H2254}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 16:19
- Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Exodus 22:21
- Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Exodus 22:22
- Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
Deuteronomy 27:19
- Cursed [be] he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Exodus 23:6
- Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
Jeremiah 5:28
- They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
Isaiah 1:23
- Thy princes [are] rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
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Commentary for Deuteronomy 24:17
Deuteronomy 24:17 is part of the final book of the Torah, which contains Moses' speeches to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This verse is situated within a section of legal and moral instructions aimed at guiding the community in justice and compassion. The themes of this verse revolve around the protection of the vulnerable in society—strangers (often understood as resident aliens), fatherless (orphans), and widows. These groups were particularly susceptible to exploitation and marginalization in ancient societies due to their lack of traditional family structures and support systems.
The historical context of Deuteronomy 24:17 reflects the period of Israel's formation as a nation, around the 13th century BCE, when laws were being established to create a just and equitable society. The command not to pervert the judgment of these groups implies a duty to uphold fair legal processes and not to show partiality or discrimination against them. Furthermore, the directive not to take a widow's garment as collateral for a loan highlights the importance of not exploiting the poor or those in desperate circumstances for financial gain.
In summary, Deuteronomy 24:17 emphasizes the mandate for ancient Israelite society to treat the most vulnerable with justice and to refrain from depriving them of their rights or possessions. This verse reflects a broader biblical theme of caring for the marginalized and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and compassionately, without regard to social status or personal gain. It underscores the ethical imperative to protect the rights of those who are least able to defend themselves, a principle that has continued to resonate in discussions of social justice throughout history.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5186
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָטָה
Transliteration: nâṭâh
Pronunciation: naw-taw'
Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. - Strong's Number: H4941
There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
Transliteration: mishpâṭ
Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. - Strong's Number: H1616
There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֵּר
Transliteration: gêr
Pronunciation: gare
Description: or (fully) geyr (gare); from גּוּר; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner; alien, sojourner, stranger. - Strong's Number: H3490
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָתוֹם
Transliteration: yâthôwm
Pronunciation: yaw-thome'
Description: from an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved person; fatherless (child), orphan. - Strong's Number: H2254
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָבַל
Transliteration: châbal
Pronunciation: khaw-bal'
Description: a primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition); [idiom] at all, band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, [idiom] very, withhold. - Strong's Number: H490
There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַלְמָנָה
Transliteration: ʼalmânâh
Pronunciation: al-maw-naw'
Description: feminine of אַלְמָן; a widow; also a desolate place; desolate house (palace), widow. - Strong's Number: H899
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֶּגֶד
Transliteration: beged
Pronunciation: behg'-ed
Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.