The Meaning of Exodus 23:5 Explained

Exodus 23:5

KJV: If 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.

YLT: when thou seest the ass of him who is hating thee crouching under its burden, then thou hast ceased from leaving it to it -- thou dost certainly leave it with him.

Darby: If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under its burden, beware of leaving it to him: thou shalt certainly loosen it with him.

ASV: If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, thou shalt forbear to leave him, thou shalt surely release it with him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

If 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. 

What does Exodus 23:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 23:1-17 - Laws Of Conduct And Worship
We may apply these various precepts to our own hearts. Many of them breathe the very spirit of Christ. We must watch our speech, so that no man's character may suffer by our gossip or slander. We must dare to stand for the truth, though we stand absolutely alone. With all kindness and good will we must save our neighbor from damage, even though he has vented on us his spleen. It is never for us to take advantage of him; God will deal with him on our behalf, and in His own time and way. Let us not fret ourselves to do evil. David's example in refusing to injure Saul when his bitter enemy was within his reach is an inspiring example for us to follow. We must hold an even balance for just and honorable dealing with all men; and cultivate the Sabbath-keeping of the heart. In every life, also, there should be perpetual memory of Calvary, the Resurrection and Pentecost-the three feasts of the soul! [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 23

1  Of slander, false witness, and partiality
4  Of charitableness
6  Of justice in judgment
8  Of taking bribes
9  Of oppressing a stranger
10  Of the year of rest
12  Of the Sabbath
13  Of idolatry
14  Of the three feasts
18  Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice
20  An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him

What do the individual words in Exodus 23:5 mean?

If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden and you would refrain from helping it surely you shall help him with it -
כִּֽי־ תִרְאֶ֞ה חֲמ֣וֹר שֹׂנַאֲךָ֗ רֹבֵץ֙ תַּ֣חַת מַשָּׂא֔וֹ וְחָדַלְתָּ֖ מֵעֲזֹ֣ב ל֑וֹ עָזֹ֥ב תַּעֲזֹ֖ב עִמּֽוֹ ס

תִרְאֶ֞ה  you  see 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
חֲמ֣וֹר  the  donkey 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֲמֹור 
Sense: (he)ass.
שֹׂנַאֲךָ֗  of  one  who  hates  you 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׂנֵא  
Sense: to hate, be hateful.
רֹבֵץ֙  lying 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: רָבַץ  
Sense: to stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out.
תַּ֣חַת  under 
Parse: Preposition
Root: מִתְחָה 
Sense: the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas.
מַשָּׂא֔וֹ  its  burden 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מַשָּׂא 
Sense: load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting.
וְחָדַלְתָּ֖  and  you  would  refrain 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: חָדַל 
Sense: to stop, cease, desist, forego, cease to be, leave undone, forbear.
מֵעֲזֹ֣ב  from  helping 
Parse: Preposition-m, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָזַב 
Sense: to leave, loose, forsake.
עָזֹ֥ב  surely 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: עָזַב 
Sense: to leave, loose, forsake.
תַּעֲזֹ֖ב  you  shall  help  him 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָזַב 
Sense: to leave, loose, forsake.
עִמּֽוֹ  with  it 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: עִם  
Sense: with.
ס  - 
Parse: Punctuation

What are the major concepts related to Exodus 23:5?

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