Exodus 22:21
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוֹנֶ֖ה
Thou shalt neither vex
H3238
תוֹנֶ֖ה
Thou shalt neither vex
Strong's:
H3238
Word #:
3 of 10
to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִלְחָצֶ֑נּוּ
nor oppress
H3905
תִלְחָצֶ֑נּוּ
nor oppress
Strong's:
H3905
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, to press, i.e., (figuratively) to distress
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הֱיִיתֶ֖ם
H1961
הֱיִיתֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Exodus 23:9Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.Deuteronomy 10:19Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.Leviticus 19:33And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.Zechariah 7:10And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.Jeremiah 7:6If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:Exodus 20:2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.Deuteronomy 23:7Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.Leviticus 25:35And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.Malachi 3:5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures often exploited foreigners. Israel's laws protecting aliens were revolutionary—granting nearly equal rights with citizens. The Egyptian slavery memory was to cultivate compassion, not bitterness.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God so frequently command protection for strangers/aliens in Israel?
- How should remembering our own 'alien' status (before salvation) shape treatment of outsiders?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
'Stranger' (גֵּר, ger) is resident alien—foreigner living in Israel. 'Vex and oppress' (לֹא־תוֹנֶה וְלֹא תִלְחָצֶנּוּ, lo-toneh velo tilchatzenu) means 'don't wrong or exploit.' The motivation: 'ye were strangers in Egypt'—remember your oppression, don't inflict it on others. God repeatedly commands alien protection (Exodus 23:9, Leviticus 19:34, Deuteronomy 10:19)—perhaps the Old Testament's most frequent social command. Why? Because God defends the powerless, and Israel's slavery memory should create empathy. The gospel extends this: we were 'aliens and strangers' (1 Peter 2:11), brought near by Christ's blood (Ephesians 2:19).