Bible Strands
Exodus 22:23
If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God addresses the Israelite community immediately after commanding them not to mistreat widows and orphans. He speaks this warning during the delivery of covenant laws in the wilderness.
The words — The verb תְעַנֶּ֖ה (te.'a.Neh) literally means "you will afflict," describing the act of harsh treatment. The verb יִצְעַק (yitz.'Ak) means "he will cry out," referring to the desperate plea of the oppressed.
The thread — This pattern of divine hearing appears in Job 34:28, Psalms 10:17, and Psalms 18:6, where God consistently responds to the cries of the afflicted. The motif connects Exodus 22:23 with broader biblical themes of God's attentiveness to marginalized voices.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that mistreatment of vulnerable groups triggers direct divine intervention. It requires readers to understand that God's hearing of oppression is a binding covenantal reality, not a passive observation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
Cross-references
- Job 34:28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
- Psalms 10:17 You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,
- Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.
- Luke 18:7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them?
- Deuteronomy 15:9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
- Job 35:9 Men cry out under great oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the mighty.
- James 5:4 Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
- Psalms 145:19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
- Psalms 146:7 He executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free,
- Deuteronomy 24:15 You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.