Deuteronomy 24:22

And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

And thou shalt remember {H2142} that thou wast a bondman {H5650} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}: therefore I command {H6680} thee to do {H6213} this thing {H1697}.

Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt. That is why I am ordering you to do this.

Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. Therefore I am commanding you to do this.

And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 24:22 serves as a profound ethical cornerstone within the Mosaic Law, emphasizing that Israel's past experience of oppression should directly inform their present conduct towards the vulnerable. The verse acts as a powerful concluding rationale for the social justice laws detailed earlier in the chapter, urging compassion rooted in historical memory.

Context

This verse concludes a section of Deuteronomy (specifically Deuteronomy 24:17-22) that outlines specific humanitarian laws designed to protect the most vulnerable members of Israelite society: the sojourner (foreigner), the fatherless, and the widow. These laws include prohibitions against perverting justice, taking a widow's garment as a pledge, or withholding a hired servant's wages overnight. The immediate preceding verses (24:19-21) specifically detail provisions for gleaning in fields, olive groves, and vineyards, ensuring that some produce is left for the poor and marginalized. Deuteronomy 24:22 provides the divine motivation for all these regulations: Israel's own history as bondmen in Egypt and their subsequent deliverance by God. It ties the ethical commands directly to the covenant relationship and God's character.

Key Themes

  • Memory as Motivation: The command to "remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt" highlights the crucial role of historical memory in shaping ethical behavior. Israel's collective experience of suffering and God's miraculous liberation (Deuteronomy 8:2) was not to be forgotten but to serve as a constant reminder and impetus for compassion.
  • Empathy and Compassion: The core message is that having experienced oppression, Israel should be uniquely equipped to empathize with and show compassion to those who are currently vulnerable or marginalized. This is a call to 'do unto others' based on personal understanding of hardship.
  • Social Justice: This verse underscores God's deep concern for social justice. The laws it reinforces are not merely suggestions but divine commands aimed at creating a just and equitable society where the poor, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow are protected and provided for, reflecting God's own character.
  • Divine Command and Covenant Obligation: The phrase "therefore I command thee to do this thing" links the ethical imperative directly to God's authority. These are not optional humanitarian gestures but obligations arising from the covenant God made with Israel, a people he redeemed from bondage.

Linguistic Insight

The term "bondman" (Hebrew: עֶבֶד, 'eved) simply refers to a slave or servant. The emphasis is not on the specific type of servitude but on the state of being unfree and subject to another's will, particularly in a context of hardship and forced labor, as was the case in Egypt.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 24:22 holds enduring relevance for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Remember Our Own Deliverance: Just as Israel remembered their physical deliverance from Egypt, Christians are called to remember their spiritual deliverance from the bondage of sin by God's grace. This memory should humble us and inspire gratitude and service.
  • Cultivate Empathy: Our own experiences of hardship, weakness, or dependence should foster a deep empathy for others who are struggling. This verse challenges us to move beyond mere sympathy to active compassion and practical help.
  • Champion Social Justice: The principle of caring for the marginalized remains a vital command. We are called to actively seek justice for the oppressed, care for the poor, welcome the stranger, and protect the vulnerable in our communities, reflecting God's heart for all people. This aligns with Christ's teaching on serving "the least of these."
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 24:18

    But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

  • Deuteronomy 5:14

    But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

  • Deuteronomy 5:15

    And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and [that] the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

  • 1 John 4:10

    Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

  • 1 John 4:11

    Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

  • Ephesians 5:1

    ¶ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

  • Ephesians 5:2

    And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
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