Exodus 22:22 kjv

Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

Exodus 22:22 nkjv

"You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.

Exodus 22:22 niv

"Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.

Exodus 22:22 esv

You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.

Exodus 22:22 nlt

"You must not exploit a widow or an orphan.

Exodus 22 verses

Exodus 22 22 Meaning

Exodus 22:22 is a clear divine command that prohibits the mistreatment or oppression of widows and orphans. It expresses God's specific concern and protective stance towards the most vulnerable members of society who lack traditional means of protection and provision. This injunction emphasizes the societal responsibility to safeguard these groups from any form of exploitation, abuse, or unjust deprivation, underscoring that their welfare is a matter of divine interest and a cornerstone of righteous living within the covenant community.

Exodus 22 22 Context

Exodus 22:22 is embedded within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exo 20:22-23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. Following moral directives regarding justice, property rights, and various societal regulations, this verse specifically addresses the protection of society's most vulnerable. The immediate verses that follow (Exo 22:23-24) warn of dire divine consequences – God's hearing their cry and unleashing His wrath – if these vulnerable ones are afflicted, thereby reinforcing the seriousness of this command.

In ancient Near Eastern societies, and particularly within early Israel, widows and orphans often occupied the lowest rung of the social ladder. They were at extreme risk of poverty, exploitation, and injustice because they lacked the traditional male protector (husband or father) who typically provided legal, economic, and social standing. The patriarchal structure of society meant their livelihood and very existence were precarious without direct family support. This command from God establishes a counter-cultural ethos, elevating the protection of the vulnerable as a core divine mandate, distinguishing Israel from other nations whose legal codes might not offer such protections or even exploit these groups. It underscores God's character as the ultimate protector and judge for those without human advocates.

Exodus 22 22 Word analysis

• You shall not (לֹא - lo'): This is an absolute prohibition, indicating a divine imperative. It's not a suggestion but a clear and uncompromising command. The structure highlights the direct, unwavering nature of the divine law.
• afflict (תְעַנּוּן from עָנָה - 'anah): The Hebrew verb 'anah is significant. It encompasses more than mere discomfort; it means to oppress, humiliate, abase, vex, abuse, or bring low. It speaks to any action that causes severe distress, hardship, suffering, or diminishes another person's standing, whether through economic exploitation, legal injustice, emotional torment, or physical mistreatment. This term is broad, covering both active harm and neglecting to provide due care that results in suffering.
• any (כָּל - kol): This word signifies universality, emphasizing that this command applies without exception to every widow and every orphan. No one among these vulnerable groups is excluded from this divine protection, nor is any act of affliction permissible.
• widow (אֲלְמָנָה - almanah): Refers to a woman whose husband has died. In the societal context of ancient Israel, the husband was the primary legal representative, economic provider, and social protector. A widow's status was inherently vulnerable due to the loss of this essential support. Her dependence shifted from her husband to her male relatives or the community's good conscience. The term carries connotations of loneliness, financial precariousness, and legal defenselessness.
• orphan (יָתוֹם - yatom): Refers to a child whose father has died. While an orphan could technically be motherless, fatherless, or both, in the Bible, "orphan" (yatom) typically denotes a child without a father. The father was generally the family's main provider, legal head, and source of protection. Losing a father, especially at a young age, left children exposed to economic hardship, neglect, and legal manipulation, often making them easily exploited.

Words-group analysis:

• "afflict any widow or orphan": This phrase directly identifies the specific categories of individuals whom God designates for His special protection. By explicitly naming them, the Law highlights their particular vulnerability and the community's duty of care. This is a foundational principle of social justice in the Mosaic Law. The pairing of "widow and orphan" throughout the Bible indicates they represent the epitome of defenselessness and dependence.
• The divine imperative of "You shall not afflict": This command reveals a core aspect of God's character. Yahweh is portrayed as a God who identifies with and actively defends the weak and marginalized. This prohibition is not merely a social courtesy but a covenantal expectation rooted in God's own nature. To afflict them is to offend God directly.

Exodus 22 22 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of "widow" and "orphan" often serves as a metonymy for all vulnerable groups within biblical literature, including the sojourner or alien (Ger). While not explicitly mentioned in this specific verse, the broader biblical narrative frequently pairs all three (widow, orphan, and sojourner) as archetypes of the vulnerable, illustrating God's overarching concern for all who lack societal protection. Furthermore, biblical prophecy often condemned Israel's leadership for their failure to uphold justice for these very groups, linking such moral decay directly to divine judgment and even national calamity. Therefore, the command in Exodus 22:22 is not just a specific rule, but a microcosm of God's holistic demand for righteousness and justice within His kingdom.

Exodus 22 22 Commentary

Exodus 22:22 is a profound and fundamental declaration of divine concern for human dignity and justice. It reveals that the Lord God is not distant from the struggles of His people, particularly those on the fringes of society. The command "You shall not afflict any widow or orphan" is not a minor suggestion but a bedrock principle of Israelite society and a reflection of God's character. To "afflict" (Hebrew: 'anah) goes beyond physical harm; it encompasses any form of oppression, exploitation, or debasement. This could involve withholding their due wages, seizing their property, perverting justice in court cases concerning them, or simply ignoring their desperate needs.

God's protective stance over widows and orphans distinguishes the covenant community. In a world where these groups were often marginalized or preyed upon, God demands a radically different ethic from His people. The severity of the command is immediately reinforced in the subsequent verses (22:23-24), where God pledges to hear their cry and respond with fierce judgment against their oppressors. This direct divine intervention underscores that the oppression of the vulnerable is a direct affront to God Himself.

This verse teaches that true righteousness is intrinsically linked to how the powerful and well-off treat the defenseless. It is a timeless call to empathy, compassion, and active social justice. For God's people, concern for the vulnerable is not optional, but a non-negotiable expression of faithfulness to Him. It's about mirroring God's own heart, which is a "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows."

Practical examples of living out this command today include: supporting organizations that care for orphaned children, ensuring fair labor practices for vulnerable workers, advocating for the legal rights of single mothers or the elderly, providing practical aid to families who have lost a primary provider, and opposing any system or policy that would disproportionately harm these susceptible groups.