Exodus 22:16-31

16 "If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the marriage price and marry her.

17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her away, the man must still pay the marriage price for virgins.

18 "Don't let a sorceress live.

19 "Anyone who has sex with an animal gets the death penalty.

20 "Anyone who sacrifices to a god other than God alone must be put to death.

21 "Don't abuse or take advantage of strangers; you, remember, were once strangers in Egypt.

22 "Don't mistreat widows or orphans.

23 If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure I'll take them most seriously;

24 I'll show my anger and come raging among you with the sword, and your wives will end up widows and your children orphans.

25 "If you lend money to my people, to any of the down-and-out among you, don't come down hard on them and gouge them with interest.

26 "If you take your neighbor's coat as security, give it back before nightfall;

27 it may be your neighbor's only covering - what else does the person have to sleep in? And if I hear the neighbor crying out from the cold, I'll step in - I'm compassionate.

28 "Don't curse God; and don't damn your leaders.

29 "Don't be stingy as your wine vats fill up.

30 The same with your cattle and sheep - they are to stay for seven days with their mother, then give them to me.

31 "Be holy for my sake. "Don't eat mutilated flesh you find in the fields; throw it to the dogs.

Exodus 22:16-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 22

This chapter contains various laws concerning theft, Ex 22:1-4, concerning damage done to fields and vineyards by beasts, and to corn in stacks or standing, by fire, Ex 22:5,6, concerning anything or creature deposited in the hands of a neighbour, and they be stolen or lost by one means or another, Ex 22:7-13, concerning anything borrowed, and it comes to any damage, Ex 22:14,15, concerning fornication, Ex 22:16,17 concerning witchcraft, bestiality, and idolatry, Ex 22:18-20 concerning oppression, and affliction of the stranger, fatherless, and widow, Ex 22:21-24 concerning taking usury and pledges, Ex 22:25-27, concerning irreverence to magistrates, Ex 22:28, concerning the offering of firstfruits to God, Ex 22:29,30 and the chapter is concluded with a prohibition of eating anything torn by beasts, Ex 22:31.