Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow’s raiment to pledge:
You must not deny justice to foreigners or orphans, and you must not take a widow's clothing as collateral for a loan.
God is commanding His people to protect society's most vulnerable members - foreigners, orphans, and widows - by ensuring they receive fair treatment and aren't exploited.
📚 Historical Context
This command was given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. In ancient Near Eastern societies, foreigners, orphans, and widows had no male family head to protect their legal and economic interests, making them extremely vulnerable to exploitation. God was establishing a justice system that would protect these defenseless groups from being taken advantage of by those in power.
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