The Meaning of Exodus 23:9 Explained

Exodus 23:9

KJV: Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

YLT: And a sojourner thou dost not oppress, and ye -- ye have known the soul of the sojourner, for sojourners ye have been in the land of Egypt.

Darby: And the stranger thou shalt not oppress; for ye know the spirit of the stranger, for ye have been strangers in the land of Egypt.

ASV: And a sojourner shalt thou not oppress: for ye know the heart of a sojourner, seeing ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Also thou shalt not oppress  a stranger:  for ye know  the heart  of a stranger,  seeing  ye were strangers  in the land  of Egypt. 

What does Exodus 23:9 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 23:9 mean?

And a stranger not you shall oppress for you know - the heart of a stranger because strangers you were in the land of Egypt
וְגֵ֖ר לֹ֣א תִלְחָ֑ץ וְאַתֶּ֗ם יְדַעְתֶּם֙ אֶת־ נֶ֣פֶשׁ הַגֵּ֔ר כִּֽי־ גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם

וְגֵ֖ר  And  a  stranger 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֵּר  
Sense: sojourner.
תִלְחָ֑ץ  you  shall  oppress 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: לָחַץ  
Sense: to squeeze, press, oppress.
וְאַתֶּ֗ם  for  you 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, second person masculine plural
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
יְדַעְתֶּם֙  know 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
נֶ֣פֶשׁ  the  heart 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: נֶפֶשׁ  
Sense: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion.
הַגֵּ֔ר  of  a  stranger 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֵּר  
Sense: sojourner.
כִּֽי־  because 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
גֵרִ֥ים  strangers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֵּר  
Sense: sojourner.
הֱיִיתֶ֖ם  you  were 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ  in  the  land 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
מִצְרָֽיִם  of  Egypt 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִצְרַיִם  
Sense: a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows adj Egyptians = “double straits”.