Exodus 23:5 kjv
If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
Exodus 23:5 nkjv
If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.
Exodus 23:5 niv
If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.
Exodus 23:5 esv
If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.
Exodus 23:5 nlt
If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help.
Exodus 23 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 25:21 | If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: | Feeding an enemy demonstrates mercy. |
| Rom 12:20 | Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink... | New Testament command to help enemies. |
| Mt 5:44 | But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you... | Christ's higher ethic of loving enemies. |
| Lk 6:27-28 | But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you... | Call to benevolence even to adversaries. |
| Deut 22:4 | Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them | Similar law emphasizing helping fallen animals. |
| Prov 12:10 | A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. | Righteousness extends to care for animals. |
| Gal 6:2 | Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. | Principle of helping bear burdens. |
| Prov 24:11 | If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; | General call to intervene in distress. |
| Ps 41:1 | Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. | Blessings for showing compassion. |
| Jam 2:15-16 | If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace... | Faith without works of aid is dead. |
| 1 Jn 3:17 | But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him... | Inaction when one can help denies God's love. |
| Mt 9:13 | But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. | Mercy valued above ritualistic adherence. |
| Mic 6:8 | He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? | Emphasizes justice and mercy in walking with God. |
| Prov 3:27-28 | Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give... | Promptly helping those in need. |
| 1 Thes 5:14 | Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. | Supporting and strengthening the weak. |
| Ex 23:4 | If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. | Immediate preceding command regarding enemy's property. |
| Rom 15:1 | We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. | Those strong should help the weak. |
| 1 Cor 10:24 | Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. | Seeking the welfare of others. |
| Lk 10:33-34 | But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him... | Parable illustrating radical neighborly help. |
| Deut 10:19 | Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. | Extending compassion based on personal experience. |
Exodus 23 verses
Exodus 23 5 Meaning
Exodus 23:5 is a practical ethical instruction commanding assistance even to an adversary whose working animal is in distress. It prohibits intentionally ignoring the suffering of a neighbor's animal, especially if it belongs to someone with whom one has a dispute. The verse emphasizes active, compassionate intervention, compelling the individual to help lift the animal and its burden, thereby preventing suffering for the animal and loss for its owner, irrespective of personal enmity.
Exodus 23 5 Context
Exodus 23:5 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Ex 20:22-23:33), which outlines specific laws and ethical standards for Israel following the Ten Commandments. This section particularly deals with civic and social legislation. Verses 4 and 5 form a pair, addressing the proper conduct towards an adversary's property. Verse 4 instructs returning a lost animal, while verse 5 compels aid for an animal in distress. This immediate context underscores a principle of treating even one's enemy with a level of responsible, compassionate engagement, rather than malice or indifference. The laws reflect God's character and intent for His people to live in a just and merciful society, distinguishing them from surrounding cultures often driven by vengeance and tribalism. This ethic is revolutionary, preventing personal animosity from overriding basic humanity and community welfare.
Exodus 23 5 Word analysis
- If thou see: The phrase
ki tir'eh(כִּי תִרְאֶה) means "when you see" or "if you see," indicating an observable situation, calling for an active response rather than passive awareness. It highlights that the obligation arises from direct observation of distress. - the ass:
chamōr(חֲמֹור) - "donkey" or "ass." This common beast of burden was vital for transport, agriculture, and daily life in ancient Israel. Its well-being directly impacted the owner's livelihood. - of him that hateth thee:
sone’ǎkhā(שֹׁנַאֲךָ) - "your hater" or "one who hates you." This specific designation intensifies the ethical demand. It moves beyond helping a neutral neighbor to actively assisting an antagonist, demonstrating a truly divine standard of conduct. This counters the natural human inclination toward vengeance or passive-aggressiveness. - lying under his burden:
rōvetz tachat maśśā’ô(רֹבֵץ תַּחַת מַשָּׂאוֹ) - "lying down under his load."Rōvetzrefers to an animal resting or sinking down, indicating distress, exhaustion, or inability to proceed. The "burden" (maśśā’) implies the animal is incapacitated by its load, needing relief. It paints a vivid picture of a helpless animal and a practical problem for the owner. - and wouldest forbear to help him:
w’chadalata(וְחָדַלְתָּ) - "and you would refrain" or "and you have ceased" from acting. The implication is an internal temptation to withhold help due to personal animosity. The phrasing suggests a negative inclination to stand by idly. - thou shalt surely help with him:
hāqēm taqīm immô(הָקֵם תָּקִים עִמּוֹ) - "you shall surely raise (it) with him" or "you shall certainly help him to raise (it)." This uses an infinitive absolute construction (hāqēm taqīm), which is a strong emphatic declaration in Hebrew, meaning "you shall absolutely help." The command is not just to provide advice but to physically assist in the strenuous work of relieving the animal.Immo("with him") means collaborating with the owner, even the "hater," in the task, signifying practical reconciliation through shared labor.
Exodus 23 5 Bonus section
The seemingly minor commandment in Exodus 23:5 is actually a profound theological statement. It prevents a spirit of vindictiveness or Schadenfreude (pleasure derived from another's misfortune) from taking root within the community of faith. This law would have stood in stark contrast to the ethical codes of many surrounding cultures, which often codified retaliation against enemies. The "Book of the Covenant," containing this verse, functions as a blueprint for a society living under the direct governance of God, where even simple acts of kindness, extending to animals and adversaries, reflect divine justice and mercy. It also has practical benefits in ancient society, ensuring that essential infrastructure (transport routes) remains usable and economic assets (donkeys) are preserved, preventing greater loss or hardship for the community at large, even indirectly through one's foe. This command contributes to the overall stability and humane character of the Israelite society God intended.
Exodus 23 5 Commentary
Exodus 23:5 sets a profoundly ethical standard for the people of God, illustrating that compassion and practical aid must transcend personal grievances. It’s not merely a pragmatic law for road safety or animal welfare, though it certainly encompasses those aspects. At its heart, it is a spiritual command that challenges the natural human desire for revenge or self-satisfaction in another's misfortune. By compelling assistance for an enemy's distressed animal, God instructs Israel to reflect His character of impartial kindness and mercy, laying a foundational ethic that would later culminate in Christ's teaching to love one's enemies. The emphasis on "surely help with him" underscores active participation and cooperation, rather than just sympathetic observation, fostering a communal responsibility even between disputing parties for the sake of humanity and animal welfare. This law shows that God's people are to be marked by benevolent action, irrespective of personal feelings, ensuring that basic needs and dignity are preserved.