for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just about a piece of clothing; it's about the profound vulnerability of someone who has nothing else. God emphasizes that this garment is their sole defense against the cold and nakedness during sleep, highlighting His deep concern for the most basic human needs and the dignity of the vulnerable. He doesn't just hear the cry of the wronged; He identifies with their plight because He is inherently compassionate.
for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes at the end of a series of laws regulating how Israelites should treat one another, particularly the vulnerable. Following rules about restitution for stolen animals and protection for widows and orphans, this passage addresses the specific need to return a poor person's outer garment by sunset. God emphasizes that this garment is essential for warmth and dignity, especially during sleep, and promises to hear the cry of anyone unjustly deprived of it, highlighting His own compassionate nature.
Imagine having only one garment to your name. This wasn't just clothing; it was survival.
The law here addresses the return of a poor person's outer garment, emphasizing its critical importance.
More Than Just Clothes
This garment wasn't merely an accessory; it was the sole covering for warmth at night and protection during the day. For someone with so little, losing this one piece of clothing meant facing the night cold, potential illness, and extreme vulnerability. It was their shelter, their bedding, their everything.
A Matter of Life and Dignity
Depriving someone of this essential item was a direct assault on their basic needs and dignity. The law demands its immediate return by sunset, recognizing that its absence causes real suffering.
When the oppressed cry out, who is listening? For the Lord, the answer is clear: He is.
The latter part of the verse pivots to God's response to injustice.
Divine Attention and Action
God explicitly states, 'And if he cries to me, I will hear.' This isn't a passive hearing; it's an assurance that God notices the suffering of the oppressed and the injustice they face. He positions Himself as the ultimate advocate for those who have no one else to turn to.
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The Basis of His Compassion
His promise to hear is rooted in His very nature: 'for I am compassionate.' This divine attribute isn't just an emotion; it's the driving force behind His justice and His care for His people, especially the most vulnerable.
Understand the original words
channun · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to the moral character of God, characterized by grace, mercy, and sensitivity to the suffering of His people; He is responsive to the cries of the oppressed.
This passage reinforces the principle of protecting the vulnerable, specifically the poor and the foreigner, by reminding Israel of their own past oppression in Egypt, mirroring the compassion God shows to the poor in Exodus 22:27.
Job 31:19-20Job's defense highlights his own compassionate practice, showing that he never withheld clothing from the needy, which directly reflects the merciful heart of God described in Exodus 22:27.
Matthew 5:7Jesus' teaching on the Beatitudes states, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy,' echoing the compassionate nature of God that underpins the law in Exodus 22:27, where He promises to hear the cry of the oppressed.
James 2:13This verse directly contrasts judgment with mercy, stating that 'mercy triumphs over judgment,' aligning with God's promise in Exodus 22:27 to hear the cry of the one who has been wronged because He is compassionate.
pulpitExodus 22:27: "For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious."
Verse 27. - Wherein shall he sleep? The outer garment worn by the ancient Hebrews was like that of the modern Bedouins - a sort of large woollen shawl or blanket, in which they enveloped the greater part of their persons. It serves the Bedouins, to the present time, as robe by day, and as coverlet by night.…
gillExodus 22:27: "For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious."
For that is his covering only,.... All that he has to cover him, the only covering he has when he lies down to sleep; and therefore should be restored to him by the time of sunset, at which time he returns from his labour; and after some refreshment retires to his bed for rest, when his covering will be nec…
This isn't just about a piece of clothing; it's about the profound vulnerability of someone who has nothing else. God emphasizes that this garment is their sole defense against the cold and nakedness during sleep, highlighting His deep concern for the most basic human needs and the dignity of the vulnerable. He doesn't just hear the cry of the wronged; He identifies with their plight because He is inherently compassionate.
This verse comes at the end of a series of laws regulating how Israelites should treat one another, particularly the vulnerable. Following rules about restitution for stolen animals and protection for widows and orphans, this passage addresses the specific need to return a poor person's outer garment by sunset. God emphasizes that this garment is essential for warmth and dignity, especially during sleep, and promises to hear the cry of anyone unjustly deprived of it, highlighting His own compassionate nature.
This verse comes at the end of a series of laws regulating how Israelites should treat one another, particularly the vulnerable. Following rules about restitution for stolen animals and protection for widows and orphans, this passage addresses the specific need to return a poor person's outer garment by sunset. God emphasizes that this garment is essential for warmth and dignity, especially during sleep, and promises to hear the cry of anyone unjustly deprived of it, highlighting His own compassionate nature.
"for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate." — This isn't just about a piece of clothing; it's about the profound vulnerability of someone who has nothing else. God emphasizes that this garment is their sole defense against the cold and nakedne…
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Last reviewed October 2026