Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt. New Living Translation “You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. English Standard Version “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. Berean Standard Bible Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. King James Bible Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. New King James Version “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt. New American Standard Bible “You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt. NASB 1995 “You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt. NASB 1977 “And you shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt. Legacy Standard Bible “And you shall not oppress a sojourner, since you yourselves know the soul of a sojourner, for you also were sojourners in the land of Egypt. Amplified Bible “You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the soul [the feelings, thoughts, and concerns] of a stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt. Christian Standard Bible You must not oppress a resident alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be a resident alien because you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt. Holman Christian Standard Bible You must not oppress a foreign resident; you yourselves know how it feels to be a foreigner because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” American Standard Version And a sojourner shalt thou not oppress: for ye know the heart of a sojourner, seeing ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt. Contemporary English Version Don't mistreat foreigners. You were foreigners in Egypt, and you know what it is like. English Revised Version And a stranger shalt thou not oppress: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Never oppress foreigners. You know what it's like to be foreigners because you were foreigners living in Egypt. Good News Translation "Do not mistreat a foreigner; you know how it feels to be a foreigner, because you were foreigners in Egypt. International Standard Version You are not to oppress the resident alien, because you were aliens in the land of Egypt." NET Bible "You must not oppress a foreigner, since you know the life of a foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. New Heart English Bible "You shall not oppress a foreigner, for you know the heart of a foreigner, seeing you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. Webster's Bible Translation Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger; for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDo not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. World English Bible “You shall not oppress an alien, for you know the heart of an alien, since you were aliens in the land of Egypt. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd you do not oppress a sojourner, since you have known the soul of the sojourner, for you have been sojourners in the land of Egypt. Young's Literal Translation 'And a sojourner thou dost not oppress, and ye -- ye have known the soul of the sojourner, for sojourners ye have been in the land of Egypt. Smith's Literal Translation Thou shalt not press the stranger: and ye knew the soul of the stranger, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou shalt not molest a stranger, for you know the hearts of strangers: for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall not harass a sojourner, for you know the life of a newcomer. For you yourselves also were sojourners in the land of Egypt. New American Bible You shall not oppress a resident alien; you well know how it feels to be an alien, since you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. New Revised Standard Version You shall not oppress a resident alien; you know the heart of an alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou shall not oppress strangers: for you know the life of a stranger; you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And do not distress foreigners, for you know the soul of foreigners, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And a stranger shalt thou not oppress; for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Brenton Septuagint Translation And ye shall not afflict a stranger, for ye know the heart of a stranger; for ye were yourselves strangers in the land of Egypt. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Justice and Mercy…8Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. 9Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. Cross References Leviticus 19:34 You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 10:19 So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 24:17-18 Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. / Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from that place. Therefore I am commanding you to do this. Leviticus 19:33 When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. Deuteronomy 27:19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 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. Psalm 146:9 The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Matthew 25:35 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, Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Romans 12:13 Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. Galatians 5:14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 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. Treasury of Scripture Also you shall not oppress a stranger: for you know the heart of a stranger, seeing you were strangers in the land of Egypt. thou shalt not Exodus 21:21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money. Deuteronomy 10:19 Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 24:14-18 Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: … ye know Matthew 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? Hebrews 2:17,18 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people… heart. Jump to Previous Alien Aliens Country Egypt Experience Far Feelings Feels Hard Heart Oppress Sojourner Sojourners Soul Spirit Strange Stranger Strangers YourselvesJump to Next Alien Aliens Country Egypt Experience Far Feelings Feels Hard Heart Oppress Sojourner Sojourners Soul Spirit Strange Stranger Strangers YourselvesExodus 23 1. Of slander, false witness, and partiality4. Of charitableness 6. Of justice in judgment 8. Of taking bribes 9. Of oppressing a stranger 10. Of the year of rest 12. Of the Sabbath 13. Of idolatry 14. Of the three feasts 18. Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice 20. An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him Do not oppress a foreign resident This command reflects God's concern for justice and compassion, emphasizing the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect. In ancient Israel, foreign residents, or "sojourners," were often vulnerable due to their lack of familial and social support. The Israelites are reminded not to exploit or mistreat them, aligning with the broader biblical theme of justice for the marginalized (Leviticus 19:33-34). This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:39). since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt Persons / Places / Events 1. Foreign Resident (Ger in Hebrew)Refers to a non-Israelite living among the Israelites. The term implies someone who is not native to the land but resides there, often without the full rights of citizenship. 2. Israelites The descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who were enslaved in Egypt and later delivered by God through Moses. 3. Egypt The land where the Israelites were enslaved for 400 years. It serves as a historical and spiritual backdrop for understanding the plight of the foreigner. 4. Moses The leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and to whom the Law, including this commandment, was given. 5. The Exodus The event of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, symbolizing liberation and God's faithfulness, and providing a context for understanding the commandment against oppressing foreigners. Teaching Points Empathy Through Shared ExperienceThe Israelites' past as foreigners in Egypt is a call to empathy. Remembering their own suffering should motivate them to treat others with kindness and justice. God's Heart for the Marginalized God's commands reflect His concern for the vulnerable, including foreigners. As His people, we are called to mirror His compassion and justice. Hospitality as a Christian Virtue Welcoming and caring for foreigners is a tangible expression of Christian love and hospitality, reflecting the inclusive nature of the Gospel. Living as Foreigners in the World Christians are called to live as foreigners and exiles in this world, maintaining distinct values and showing love to all, including those who are different from us. Practical Justice and Advocacy Beyond personal kindness, this command challenges believers to advocate for fair treatment and justice for foreigners in society. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 23How do we reconcile the command in Exodus 23:9 to treat foreigners kindly with other Old Testament passages that demand harsh treatment of certain groups? What does the Bible say about treating foreigners? Deuteronomy 14:21 allows selling meat that dies of itself to foreigners. How does this reconcile with moral and compassionate principles elsewhere in the Bible? What are the laws in the Covenant Code?(9) Thou shalt not oppress a stranger.--See Note on Exodus 22:21. The repetition of the law indicates the strong inclination of the Hebrew people to ill-use strangers, and the anxiety of the legislator to check their inclination. Verse 9. - Thou shalt not oppress a stranger. This is a repetition of Exodus 22:21, with perhaps a special reference to oppression through courts of justice. For thou knowest the heart of a stranger. Literally, "the mind of a stranger," or, in other words, his thoughts and feelings. Thou shouldest therefore be able to sympathise with him. CEREMONIAL LAWS (vers. 10-19). |
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