Laws About Holiness
Exodus 22:16-31
Exo.22.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- מאן: PRON,interrog
- ימאן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אביה: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- לתתה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf+PRON,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישקל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כמהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבתולת: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deut.22.28-29 (verbal): A direct legal parallel: if a man lies with a virgin who is not betrothed he must pay a bride-price and marry her (with an explicit monetary amount and prohibition on divorce).
- Deut.22.23-27 (thematic): Related legislation distinguishing sex with a betrothed woman from sex with an unbetrothed virgin and treating rape differently depending on circumstances; highlights the law’s concern for virginity, betrothal, and appropriate penalties/remedies.
- Gen.34:1-12 (thematic): Narrative parallel: Shechem’s sexual intercourse with Dinah followed by a proposal to marry and negotiation over marriage/bride-price—illustrates the social/legal practice of marriage as remedy or compensation after sexual relations with a virgin.
- Exod.22.17 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same law: if the father refuses to give his daughter to the seducer, the man must pay money equal to the bride-price—clarifies the remedy when marriage is refused.
Alternative generated candidates
- If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall weigh out silver according to the bride-price of virgins.
- If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall weigh out silver according to the bride-price of virgins.
Exo.22.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מכשפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תחיה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 20:27 (verbal): Prescribes the death penalty for mediums and spiritists—closely parallels Exodus' prohibition against allowing a sorceress to live.
- Deuteronomy 18:10–12 (thematic): Forbids divination, soothsaying and related occult practices as abominations—shares the law's concern to exclude sorcery from Israelite life.
- 1 Samuel 28:7–20 (allusion): Narrative account of Saul consulting the woman of Endor (a medium); it illustrates tension between popular recourse to mediums and the Deuteronomic/Exodus prohibition.
- Acts 8:9–24 (thematic): Story of Simon the magician who practices sorcery and is rebuked by the apostles—New Testament example of opposition to sorcery within the early community.
- Revelation 21:8 (thematic): Lists 'sorcerers' among those consigned to the lake of fire—reflects continued biblical condemnation of sorcery into apocalyptic judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- A sorceress you shall not let live.
- You shall not let a sorceress live.
Exo.22.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כל: DET
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- עם: PREP
- בהמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- יומת: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 18:23 (verbal): Expressly forbids lying with an animal (uses similar language prohibiting sexual intercourse with beasts).
- Leviticus 20:15–16 (verbal): Repeats the prohibition and prescribes capital punishment for a person who lies with an animal (and commands the animal be killed), closely mirroring Exodus' legal sanction.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (thematic): In a list of sexually immoral persons excluded from God's kingdom, Paul condemns various sexual sins; though not all translations name bestiality explicitly, the passage is commonly cited as a New Testament counterpart condemning illicit sexual practices.
- Romans 1:26–27 (thematic): Paul describes God giving people over to dishonorable sexual passions and ‘unnatural’ relations — thematically linked to biblical prohibitions against sexual relations that violate created order, including intercourse with animals.
Alternative generated candidates
- Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
- Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
Exo.22.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יחרם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בלתי: NEG
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- לבדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 13:12-18 (structural): Command to devote a town and its spoil when it leads Israel to serve other gods — parallels the penalty of destruction (cherem) for sacrificing to gods other than YHWH.
- Deuteronomy 17:2-7 (thematic): Legal procedure for identifying and executing someone who has led Israel into idolatry — echoes Exodus' prohibition and capital sanction for foreign worship.
- Leviticus 20:3-5 (verbal): Threatens divine opposition and cutting off for those who turn to other gods (e.g., Baal) — similar language of exclusion/annihilation for idolatrous worship.
- Exodus 34:15-16 (allusion): Warning not to make covenant with surrounding peoples lest they make Israel serve other gods — addresses the same danger of offering worship to deities besides YHWH.
- 1 Corinthians 10:20 (thematic): New Testament remark that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons, not God — reflects the continued theological concern that sacrifices to other gods are illicit and spiritually corrupting.
Alternative generated candidates
- Whoever sacrifices to any god, except to the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.
- Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone shall be devoted to destruction.
Exo.22.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תונה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- תלחצנו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- גרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הייתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 23:9 (verbal): Nearly identical injunction—do not oppress the sojourner/stranger—and the same rationale: Israel were sojourners in Egypt.
- Leviticus 19:33-34 (verbal): Commands hospitality and equality toward the stranger ('treat him as a native... love him as yourself') and repeats the motive 'for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.'
- Deuteronomy 10:18-19 (thematic): Links God's care for the sojourner with Israel's duty to love and protect foreigners, explicitly grounding the command in Israel's sojourn in Egypt.
- Deuteronomy 24:17 (thematic): Prohibits perverting justice for the stranger (and the fatherless), echoing the broader legal concern to protect outsiders found in Exodus 22:20.
- Jeremiah 7:6 (allusion): Prophetic restatement of the social ethic—do not oppress the sojourner—recalling the Mosaic injunctions that appeal to Israel's experience as strangers in Egypt.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
- You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
Exo.22.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כל: DET
- אלמנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויתום: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תענון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deut.24.17 (verbal): Uses similar legal language forbidding mistreatment of the stranger/sojourner and orphan; a parallel juridical injunction protecting vulnerable people.
- Deut.10.18 (thematic): Describes God’s care for the fatherless and widow and his love for the sojourner—provides the theological rationale that undergirds Israel’s duty not to oppress widows and orphans.
- Isa.1.17 (thematic): Prophetic call to seek justice and to defend the fatherless and plead for the widow; echoes the ethical demand to protect these vulnerable groups.
- Ps.146.9 (thematic): Affirms that the LORD upholds the widow and the fatherless and cares for the stranger—reflects the covenantal concern behind the legal prohibition against oppressing them.
- Jas.1.27 (allusion): New Testament injunction that 'pure religion' includes visiting orphans and widows in their affliction; applies and echoes the OT mandate to care for widows and orphans.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.
- You shall not mistreat any widow or orphan.
Exo.22.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- ענה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תענה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- צעק: VERB,qal,inf
- יצעק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אשמע: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- צעקתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 10:18 (thematic): Affirms God’s role as defender and judge of the fatherless and widow — parallels Exodus’ promise that God hears and acts on behalf of the oppressed.
- Deuteronomy 24:17 (verbal): Legal prohibition against perverting judgment for the fatherless and stranger — parallels Exodus’ injunction not to oppress vulnerable persons and the consequent divine response.
- Psalm 10:17-18 (verbal): Speaks of the Lord hearing the desire of the humble and acting to 'defend the fatherless and oppressed' — closely echoes Exodus’ language about hearing the cry of the afflicted.
- Isaiah 1:17 (thematic): Calls God’s people to seek justice, defend the oppressed and the fatherless — thematically parallels Exodus’ concern for vulnerable groups and God’s commitment to respond to their cry.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you afflict him at all, and he indeed cries out to me, I will surely hear his cry,
- If you indeed mistreat him and he cries out to me, I will surely hear his cry,
Exo.22.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וחרה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אפי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,c,sg
- והרגתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- בחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- נשיכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2,m,pl
- אלמנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ובניכם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2,m,pl
- יתמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exod.22.22 (structural): Immediate context — the command not to afflict widows or orphans (v.22) and the following threat of divine anger and death in v.23 form a single admonition.
- Deut.27.19 (thematic): Pronounces a curse on anyone who perverts the right of the stranger, the fatherless and the widow — thematically parallel to the punishments threatened for oppressing widows/orphans.
- Ps.94.6 (verbal): Complains that the wicked 'slay the widow and the stranger and murder the fatherless' — uses the same pair (widow/fatherless) and connects oppression of these groups with divine judgment.
- Jer.22.3 (thematic): God commands justice for the oppressed — 'do no wrong to the stranger, the fatherless or the widow' — and implies culpability and consequences for failing to protect them, echoing Exodus' threat of wrath.
- Lev.26.25 (verbal): Part of the covenant curses: 'I will bring a sword upon you' — parallels Exodus' threat that God's anger will bring death by the sword as punishment for covenant violations (including social injustice).
Alternative generated candidates
- then my anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows and your children orphans.
- then my anger will burn, and I will kill you by the sword, and your wives will be widows and your children orphans.
Exo.22.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תלוה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- את: PRT,acc
- העני: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- לא: PART_NEG
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כנשה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,ind
- לא: PART_NEG
- תשימון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- נשך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 23:19-20 (verbal): Direct legal parallel: forbids charging interest to a brother (fellow Israelite) while permitting it toward a foreigner — closely mirrors Exodus’ prohibition against taking interest from the poor among you.
- Leviticus 25:35-37 (verbal): Repeats and expands the rule: do not take interest or profit from a poor brother and be openhanded to him, closing with the theological formula “I am the LORD your God,” tying the injunction to covenant identity.
- Psalm 15:5 (verbal): Uses similar language — the righteous one “does not put out his money at interest” — presenting prohibition of interest as part of the ethical profile of one fit to dwell with God.
- Nehemiah 5:7-13 (thematic): Narrative enactment of the law: nobles and officials had exacted interest from poorer countrymen; Nehemiah rebukes them and forces restoration, illustrating application and social consequences of the prohibition.
- Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (thematic): Commands openhanded lending to the poor and compassion toward needy neighbors rather than exploitation — thematically linked to Exodus’ concern for lending to the poor without interest or oppression.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not be to him like a creditor; you shall not impose interest upon him.
- If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not be to him like a creditor; you shall not impose interest upon him.
Exo.22.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- חבל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תחבל: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- שלמת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- רעך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2ms
- עד: PREP
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- תשיבנו: VERB,hiph,impf,2,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 24:12-13 (quotation): Near-verbatim parallel: instructs that if a neighbor’s cloak is taken as a pledge it must be returned to him by sunset, urging compassion because it may be his only covering.
- Leviticus 19:13 (thematic): Part of the same covenantal ethic prohibiting wronging or defrauding a neighbor and insisting on just treatment of the vulnerable.
- Proverbs 22:22-23 (thematic): Warns against robbing the poor and promises the Lord’s vindication of the needy — same concern to protect the poor from exploitation.
- Isaiah 58:7 (thematic): Calls for sharing clothing with the naked and caring for the needy, echoing the social-ethical impulse behind returning a pledged garment.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you indeed take your neighbor’s garment in pledge, you shall return it to him by sunset,
- If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you shall return it to him by sunset.
Exo.22.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- כסותו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- לבדה: ADV,f,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- שמלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- לערו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- במה: PREP+PRON,int
- ישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יצעק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ושמעתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- כי: CONJ
- חנון: ADJ,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 24:12-13 (verbal): Direct legal parallel: forbids keeping a man's cloak overnight and instructs to return it by sunset because it is his only covering—same rationale and language as Exodus 22:26.
- Psalm 34:6 (34:5 LXX) (thematic): Shares the theme of the needy crying out and God hearing them: “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him,” echoing Exodus’ promise 'if he cries to me, I will hear.'”},{
- Psalm 72:12-13 (thematic): Describes the righteous ruler delivering the needy and having pity on the weak—parallels Exodus’ concern for the vulnerable and God's merciful response to their cry.
- Isaiah 58:7 (thematic): Commands practical care for the poor (sharing bread, clothing the naked), reflecting the social-justice ethic behind returning a poor man’s cloak because it is his only covering.
- Luke 18:7 (allusion): Jesus asks whether God will not grant justice to his elect who cry out, echoing the biblical conviction that those who cry for help are heard by a compassionate God, as in Exodus 22:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- for it is his only covering; it is his garment for his skin—in what shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am gracious.
- For it is his only covering; it is his garment for his skin. In what shall he lie down? And when he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am gracious.
Exo.22.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תקלל: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ונשיא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעמך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suff,2,m
- לא: PART_NEG
- תאר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 24:15-16 (verbal): Explicitly forbids blaspheming/cursing God and prescribes judgment for one who curses the divine name — closely parallels the prohibition in Exod.22:27.
- Leviticus 19:12 (thematic): Prohibits swearing falsely by God's name and treats misuse of God's name as a serious offense, reflecting the general demand for reverence toward God.
- Deuteronomy 5:11 (thematic): The Ten Commandments injunction 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain' echoes the concern to honor God's name and not revile God.
- Acts 23:5 (quotation): Paul cites the law when rebuked the high priest: 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people,' directly echoing the command not to insult leaders in the law.
- Proverbs 24:21 (thematic): Advises fearing the LORD and the king — a wisdom parallel that pairs reverence for God with respect for earthly rulers, similar to Exod.22:27's dual prohibition.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not revile God, and you shall not curse a leader among your people.
- You shall not revile God, and you shall not curse a ruler among your people.
Exo.22.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מלאתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- ודמעך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תאחר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בכור: NOUN,m,sg,const
- בניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+POSS,2,m,sg
- תתן: VERB,qal,imprf,2,_,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Exod.13:2 (verbal): Commands sanctification of every firstborn to the LORD—same basic injunction that the firstborn (including sons) belong to God.
- Exod.34:19 (verbal): States that every firstborn that opens the womb is the LORD's; repeats the claim of divine ownership of firstborn and related exemptions.
- Num.3:13 (thematic): Explains that the Levites were taken in place of all the firstborn—develops the theme of substitution/redemption of the firstborn.
- Num.18:15–16 (verbal): Prescribes redemption of consecrated firstborn (human and animal) and sets a procedure/price—legal development of the command to give the firstborn to God.
- Deut.26:1–11 (structural): Ritual for bringing firstfruits and acknowledgement of God’s deliverance—parallels the cultic/ritual context for presenting what belongs to the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not delay the fullness of your harvest and the outflow of your press; the firstborn of your sons you shall give to me.
- The fullness of your harvest and the outflow of your press you shall not delay; the firstborn of your sons you shall give to me.
Exo.22.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כן: ADV
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- לשרך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- לצאנך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- השמיני: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
- תתנו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 22:27 (verbal): Nearly identical instruction: a newborn ox, sheep or goat shall remain with its mother seven days, and on the eighth day it shall be holy/acceptable (same seven‑day-with-mother / eighth‑day consecration language).
- Exodus 34:19–20 (thematic): Related theme of firstborn and consecration to YHWH (all that opens the womb is the Lord's; rules about firstborn animals and their treatment/redemption).
- Numbers 18:15–18 (thematic): Discusses consecration of the firstborn of humans and animals to the LORD and the allocation/management of such sacred things—part of the broader legal cluster governing firstborn animals.
- Deuteronomy 15:19–23 (thematic): Reiterates laws about dedicating and redeeming the firstborn of herd and flock to the LORD, reflecting the same concern for sanctifying young animals to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- So you shall do with your ox and with your flock: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
- Thus you shall do with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
Exo.22.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואנשי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תהיון: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ובשר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טרפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- לכלב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשלכון: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
Parallels
- Leviticus 19:2 (verbal): Contains the command to be holy to the LORD ('You shall be holy'), parallel phrasing to 'ואנשי־קדש תהiyon לי' — the call to Israel's holiness.
- Leviticus 17:15 (verbal): Gives rules for eating flesh torn by beasts and the resulting impurity ('anyone who eats what dies of itself or is torn by beasts...'), directly parallel to the prohibition against eating שָׁרַף/טרפה.
- Deuteronomy 14:21 (thematic): Repeats the prohibition against eating animals that die of themselves and links the dietary rule to Israel's status as a holy people, though it prescribes giving or selling such meat rather than throwing it to dogs.
- Matthew 15:26 (allusion): Uses the image of 'throwing to the dogs' ('It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs'), echoing the Exodus imagery of casting torn meat to dogs and the cultural connotation of dogs as refuse-consumers.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall be a holy people to me; and flesh torn in the field you shall not eat—you shall throw it to the dogs.
- And you shall be holy people to me, and you shall not eat flesh torn in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall weigh out silver according to the bride-price of virgins.
You shall not let a sorceress live.
Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
Whoever sacrifices to any god—except to the LORD alone—shall be devoted to destruction.
You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.
If you do afflict him and he cries out to me, I will surely hear his cry,
then my anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives will be widows and your children orphans.
If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not be to him like a creditor; you shall not charge him interest.
If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you shall return it to him by sunset.
For it is his only covering; it is his cloak for his skin. In what shall he sleep? And when he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am gracious.
You shall not revile God, and a leader among your people you shall not curse.
The fullness of your harvest and the outflow of your presses you shall not delay; the firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. Thus you shall do with your ox and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me. And you shall be a holy people to me. Flesh torn in the field you shall not eat; you shall throw it to the dogs.