Exodus 22:27

Verse

because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

American Standard Version (1901)

for that is his only covering, it is his garment 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.

Bible in Basic English

For it is the only thing he has for covering his skin; what is he to go to sleep in? and when his cry comes up to me, I will give ear, for my mercy is great.

Douay-Rheims 1899

For that same is the only thing wherewith he is covered, the clothing of his body, neither hath he any other to sleep in: if he cry to me, I will hear him, because I am compassionate.

Free Bible Version

because it's the only clothing he has for his body. What would he sleep in otherwise? If he calls out to me for help, I will listen, for I am considerate.

Geneva Bible 1599

For that is his couering only, and this is his garment for his skin: wherin shall he sleepe? therefore when he crieth vnto mee, I will heare him: for I am mercifull.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will sh'ma ·hear obey·, for I am gracious. (4)

Translation for Translators

because he needs it to keep him warm during the night. ◄That is the only covering that poor people have when they sleep at night./What else will he cover himself with during the night?► [RHQ] If you do not act mercifully toward him by returning his cloak, when he cries out to me asking for my help, I will help him, because I always act mercifully.

Unlocked Literal Bible

for that is his only covering; it is his garment for his body. What else can he sleep in? When he calls out to me, I will hear him, for I am compassionate.

Noah Webster Bible

For that is his only covering, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth to me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.

World English Bible

for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.

Young's Literal Translation

for it alone is his covering, it [is] his garment for his skin; wherein doth he lie down? and it hath come to pass, when he doth cry unto Me, that I have heard, for I [am] gracious.

Context

Laws of Social Responsibility

²⁶If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset,²⁷because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

Summary

This verse highlights God's compassion and concern for the poor and vulnerable in society, emphasizing the importance of treating them with dignity and fairness. It serves as a reminder to show kindness and generosity towards those who are less fortunate, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy. By instructing not to withhold help from those in need, this verse underscores the value of caring for the marginalized and oppressed, aligning with the overarching theme of social responsibility and compassion found throughout the Bible.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Thou shall not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits,.... Which, according to Maimonides (k), were of seven kinds only; for he says,"they do not bring the firstfruits, but of the seven kinds, said in the praise of the land, (the land of Canaan), Deu 8:8 and they are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates;''and how much of these were to be offered is not fixed by the law, but were left to the generosity of the people: the above mentioned writer asks (l),"what measure do the wise men set? a good eye (or a bountiful man) brings one of forty (or the fortieth part of his fruits); a middling one (one that is neither liberal nor niggardly) brings one of fifty (or the fiftieth part); and an evil one (a covetous man) one of sixty (or the sixtieth part), but never less than that.''Now this was not to be delayed, but to be brought as soon and as early as could be: the Jewish writers seem to understand this of postponing things, or inverting the order of them, bringing that first which should be last, and that last which should be first; so Jarchi interprets it,"thou shall not change the order of their separation, to postpone that which should be first, and to put before that which should be last; for the first oblation should not be brought before the firstfruits, and the tithes before the first oblation.''And thus runs one of their canons or traditions (m),"if anyone brings the first oblation before the firstfruits, the first tithe before the first oblation, the second tithe before the first, it is as if he transgressed a negative precept: "thou shalt not delay or postpone", &c. Exo 22:29' And of thy liquors: and these, according to Maimonides (n), were only the firstfruits of liquors of olives and grapes: the firstborn of thy sons thou shall give unto me; which is a repetition of the law. See Gill on Exo 13:2. (k) Hilchot Biccurim, c. 2. sect. 2. (l) Hilchot Trumot, c. 3. sect. 2. (m) Misn. Trumot, c. 3. sect. 6. (n) Biccurim, ut supra. (k))