If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
Read it in contextJustice and Mercy
Start reading at Exodus 23:1 (Exodus 23:1 to Exodus 23:9).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. God addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
23:1Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
23:2Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
23:3Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
23:4If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
23:5If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
23:6Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
23:7Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
23:8And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
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.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. Exodus explicitly records him writing covenant words and other material; that supports his central role without identifying every stage in the book's final compilation. Biblical references: Exodus 17:14; Exodus 24:4; Exodus 34:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Exodus 21:1–23:33): The LORD gives Moses ordinances for Israel's covenant community. The persons described in individual laws are the people to whom the laws apply, not necessarily people standing in a narrated scene. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Israelites delivered from Egypt, and succeeding generations of Israel who were to remember the deliverance and keep the covenant. Biblical references: Exodus 12:24; Exodus 12:26; Exodus 24:7. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Justice and Mercy. Read Exodus 23:1 through Exodus 23:9 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. God addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? Events follow Israel's growth in Egypt and continue through the exodus, arrival at Sinai, and erection of the tabernacle. Exodus 40:17 dates the erection within that journey. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The book moves from Egypt, through the sea and wilderness, to Sinai. Do not confuse the place of a narrated event with the place where the final book was written. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Justice and Mercy (Exodus 23:1 to Exodus 23:9).
Start reading at Exodus 23:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Paul explicitly calls Christ our Passover. Hebrews compares sanctuary worship with Christ's work. These later connections should be cited rather than treating every tabernacle detail as a self-explanatory symbol. See 1 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 9:11, Hebrews 9:12. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Respond to deliverance with worship and obedience. When applying a covenant command, identify whom it addresses and its purpose before deciding how it relates to life under the new covenant. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Exodus 23
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. God addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. God addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Exodus
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader.
Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeIsrael's idolatry interrupts the sanctuary instructions. Moses intercedes, and renewed covenant words prepare the people to carry out the work.
Connection to the wholeThe people supply and construct the sanctuary according to the commands, and the book ends with the glory of the LORD filling it.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.