You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God doesn't just forbid outright harm to widows and orphans; the Hebrew word here implies any kind of "affliction" or "oppression," including cold, contemptuous treatment. This means showing them kindness isn't just an option, but a responsibility to actively cushion them from life's hardships, especially those they can't navigate alone.
You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes as part of a section detailing various laws and regulations for the Israelite community, following the Ten Commandments. These laws address how people should interact with one another, covering issues from property disputes to social justice. Immediately after this directive, the text shifts to laws concerning the treatment of foreigners and further emphasizes God's commitment to protecting the vulnerable within their society.
When God says 'You shall not mistreat,' it's more than just a prohibition. It's a blueprint for how we are meant to live.
The word for 'afflict' in this verse covers a wide range of mistreatment, from outright abuse to cold, contemptuous neglect. It means we're not just forbidden from causing harm, but we're called to actively provide comfort, assistance, and kindness.
Think about what this means:
Why does the Bible repeatedly command protection for widows and orphans? It's because God Himself has a unique concern for them.
Widows and orphans are mentioned here because they were particularly defenseless in ancient society. They lacked the typical support structures—a husband for the widow, parents for the child—making them easy targets for exploitation.
God’s commands here aren't just about fairness; they reveal His deep-seated care:
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
ʿānâ · Hebrew Verb
To afflict, humiliate, or treat with violence and cruelty. It implies a persistent course of harmful action against someone who is vulnerable.
ʾalmānâ · Hebrew Noun
A woman whose husband has died; in biblical law, she is categorized as one of the most vulnerable members of society, often lacking social status, income, and legal protection.
yātôm · Hebrew Noun
A child who has lost one or both parents; in the ancient Near East, such children were particularly susceptible to poverty, exploitation, and social exclusion, and were placed under God’s special protection.
This passage directly echoes Exodus, emphasizing God's own care for the fatherless and widow, showing that protecting them is participating in God's own justice and mercy.
James 1:27This New Testament verse defines true religion in terms of caring for the vulnerable, specifically mentioning widows, and directly links this compassionate action to purity in God's eyes, highlighting the enduring importance of this command.
Psalm 94:6This psalm directly laments the oppression of the widow and the sojourner, echoing the concern in Exodus and showing how ancient Israelite society struggled with and cried out against the very injustices this law was meant to prevent.
Malachi 3:5The prophet Malachi explicitly lists the oppression of widows as a sin that incites God's judgment, demonstrating that the violation of this command was a serious offense that continued to draw divine condemnation centuries later.
bensonExodus 22:22: "Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child."
Exodus 22:22 . Ye shall not afflict the widow, or fatherless child — That is, ye shall comfort and assist them, and be ready upon all occasions to show them kindness. In making just demands from them, their condition must be considered who have lost those that should protect them; and no advantage must be taken against them, nor any hardship put upon them, which a husband or a father would have sheltered them from.
pooleExodus 22:22: "Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child."
No text from Poole on this verse.
God doesn't just forbid outright harm to widows and orphans; the Hebrew word here implies any kind of "affliction" or "oppression," including cold, contemptuous treatment. This means showing them kindness isn't just an option, but a responsibility to actively cushion them from life's hardships, especially those they can't navigate alone.
This verse comes as part of a section detailing various laws and regulations for the Israelite community, following the Ten Commandments. These laws address how people should interact with one another, covering issues from property disputes to social justice. Immediately after this directive, the text shifts to laws concerning the treatment of foreigners and further emphasizes God's commitment to protecting the vulnerable within their society.
This verse comes as part of a section detailing various laws and regulations for the Israelite community, following the Ten Commandments. These laws address how people should interact with one another, covering issues from property disputes to social justice. Immediately after this directive, the text shifts to laws concerning the treatment of foreigners and further emphasizes God's commitment to protecting the vulnerable within their society.
"You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child." — God doesn't just forbid outright harm to widows and orphans; the Hebrew word here implies any kind of "affliction" or "oppression," including cold, contemptuous treatment. This means showing them kin…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026