King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"You must neither wrong nor oppress a foreigner living among you, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
Berean Standard Bible:
You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
American Standard Version:
And a sojourner shalt thou not wrong, neither shalt thou oppress him: for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt neither vex{H3238} a stranger{H1616}, nor oppress{H3905} him: for ye were strangers{H1616} in the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 23:9
- Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 10:19
- Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Leviticus 19:33
- And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
Zechariah 7:10
- And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
Exodus 20:2
- I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Leviticus 25:35
- And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: [yea, though he be] a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
Deuteronomy 23:7
- Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he [is] thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.
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Commentary for Exodus 22:21
Exodus 22:21 is part of a larger section of the Bible known as the Covenant Code, which contains a series of laws given to the Israelites by God through Moses. This verse specifically addresses the treatment of strangers or foreigners living among the Israelite community. It prohibits the Israelites from wronging or exploiting these individuals, commanding them not to "vex" (mistreat or harass) or "oppress" them. The injunction is grounded in the shared historical experience of the Israelites, who themselves were once strangers and oppressed in the land of Egypt. This reference to the Israelites' past serves as a moral imperative, reminding them of the empathy and justice they should extend to others based on their own history of suffering and liberation.
The theme of the verse is rooted in the principles of compassion, justice, and memory. It reflects the broader biblical mandate to care for the marginalized and to remember one's own deliverance from hardship as a motivation for ethical behavior. In the historical context, the commandment would have been particularly relevant as the Israelites were in the process of establishing their own nation and legal system after escaping slavery in Egypt. It served to distinguish their society from others of the time that may not have had such protections for non-citizens. By safeguarding the rights of strangers, the Israelites were to embody the character of their God, who is described throughout the Bible as one who cares for the vulnerable and demands justice for all people.
*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: H3238
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָנָה
Transliteration: yânâh
Pronunciation: yaw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat; destroy, (thrust out by) oppress(-ing, -ion, -or), proud, vex, do violence. - 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: H3905
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָחַץ
Transliteration: lâchats
Pronunciation: law-khats'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to distress; afflict, crush, force, hold fast, oppress(-or), thrust self. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H4714
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
Transliteration: Mitsrayim
Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.