Exodus 22:22
New International Version
“Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.

New Living Translation
“You must not exploit a widow or an orphan.

English Standard Version
You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.

Berean Standard Bible
You must not mistreat any widow or orphan.

King James Bible
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

New King James Version
“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.

New American Standard Bible
You shall not oppress any widow or orphan.

NASB 1995
“You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.

NASB 1977
“You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.

Amplified Bible
You shall not harm or oppress any widow or fatherless child.

Christian Standard Bible
“You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.

American Standard Version
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

Contemporary English Version
Do not mistreat widows or orphans.

English Revised Version
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Never take advantage of any widow or orphan.

Good News Translation
Do not mistreat any widow or orphan.

International Standard Version
"You are not to mistreat any widow or orphan.

Majority Standard Bible
You must not mistreat any widow or orphan.

NET Bible
"You must not afflict any widow or orphan.

New Heart English Bible
"You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child.

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

World English Bible
“You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You do not afflict any widow or orphan;

Young's Literal Translation
'Any widow or orphan ye do not afflict;

Smith's Literal Translation
Every widow and orphan ye shall not afflict.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall not harm a widow or an orphan.

New American Bible
You shall not wrong any widow or orphan.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not abuse any widow or orphan.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not harm any widow or orphan.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And do not harm any widow or orphan.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ye shall hurt no widow or orphan.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws of Social Responsibility
21You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. 22You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. 23If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry.…

Cross References
James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Deuteronomy 10:18
He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.

Psalm 68:5
A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Jeremiah 22:3
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Zechariah 7:10
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’

Malachi 3:5
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...

Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ...

Acts 6:1-7
In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them ...

1 Timothy 5:3-16
Honor the widows who are truly widows. / But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. / The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers. ...

Job 29:12-13
because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. / The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.

Proverbs 23:10-11
Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, / for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.

Psalm 146:9
The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.

Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.


Treasury of Scripture

You shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

Deuteronomy 10:18
He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

Deuteronomy 24:17
Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:

Deuteronomy 27:19
Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

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Exodus 22
1. Of Theft
5. Of damage
7. Of trespasses
14. Of borrowing
16. Of fornication
18. Of witchcraft
19. Of bestiality
20. Of idolatry
21. Of strangers, widows, and fatherless
25. Of usury
26. Of pledges
28. Of reverence to magistrates
29. Of the first fruits
31. Of torn flesh














You must not
This phrase is a direct command, emphasizing the imperative nature of the instruction. In Hebrew, the phrase is "לֹא תְעַנּוּן" (lo te'anun), which carries a strong prohibition. The use of "must not" indicates a non-negotiable directive from God, underscoring the seriousness of the command. This reflects God's character as just and compassionate, setting a standard for His people to follow.

mistreat
The Hebrew word used here is "עָנָה" (anah), which means to afflict, oppress, or treat harshly. This term is often used in the context of social justice, highlighting God's concern for the vulnerable and marginalized. The command not to mistreat is a call to protect and uphold the dignity of those who are often powerless in society. It reflects a broader biblical theme of justice and mercy, as seen throughout the Old and New Testaments.

any widow
Widows in ancient Israel were among the most vulnerable members of society. Without a husband, they often lacked financial support and social standing. The Hebrew word for widow is "אַלְמָנָה" (almanah), which appears frequently in the Old Testament, often in contexts that call for their protection and care. This reflects God's heart for those who are left without support, and it calls His people to act as His hands and feet in providing for their needs.

or orphan
The term "orphan" in Hebrew is "יָתוֹם" (yatom), referring to a child who has lost one or both parents. Like widows, orphans were particularly vulnerable in ancient society, often lacking protection and provision. The inclusion of orphans in this command highlights God's concern for the defenseless and His desire for His people to embody His compassion. Throughout Scripture, God is described as a "Father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5), and this command is an extension of that divine care.

Verses 22-24. - Law against oppressing widows and orphans. With the stranger are naturally placed the widow and orphan; like him, weak and defenceless; like him, special objects of God's care. The negative precept here given was followed up by numerous positive enactments in favour of the widow and the orphan, which much ameliorated their sad lot. (See Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9, 10; Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 16:11, 14; Deuteronomy 24:19-21; Deuteronomy 26:12, 13.) On the whole, these laws appear to have been fairly well observed by the Israelites; but there were times when, in spite of them, poor widows suffered much oppression. (See Psalm 94:6; Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 10:2; Jeremiah 7:3-6; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5; Matthew 23:14.) The prophets denounce this backsliding in the strongest terms. Verse 22. - Ye shall not afflict. The word translated "afflict" is of wide signification. including ill-usage of all kinds. "Oppress," and even "vex," are stronger terms.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You must not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

mistreat
תְעַנּֽוּן׃ (ṯə·‘an·nūn)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted

any
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

widow
אַלְמָנָ֥ה (’al·mā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place

or orphan.
וְיָת֖וֹם (wə·yā·ṯō·wm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3490: A bereaved person


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OT Law: Exodus 22:22 You shall not take advantage of any (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 22:21
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