If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

EXODUS 22:23KJV
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Exodus 22:23 (KJV)

What does Exodus 22:23 mean?

Exodus 22:23 warns that if anyone mistreats vulnerable people and those people cry out to God, He will certainly listen to their plea. The verse emphasizes that God is attentive to the suffering of those who are wronged, especially the defenseless.

In this verse, God is speaking through Moses to the Israelites, giving them laws about how to treat others, especially widows and orphans. The situation is about protecting those who have little power in society. The verse stresses that God personally cares about justice and will respond when the oppressed call out to Him.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 22:23

  • "afflict" (עָנָה, ‘anah): This word means to oppress, mistreat, or humble someone. Here, it highlights any kind of harm or abuse against the vulnerable.
  • "cry" (צָעַק, tsa‘aq): This word means to call out or cry for help, often in distress. It shows that God pays attention to the desperate prayers of those who are suffering.
  • "surely hear" (שָׁמַע, shama‘): The Hebrew repeats this word for emphasis, making it clear that God will absolutely listen and not ignore the cry for help.

Why Exodus 22:23 matters

  • Exodus 22:23 makes it clear that God is not distant or indifferent to suffering; He is personally involved and responsive when people are mistreated.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness with which God views injustice, especially against those who are powerless, setting a strong moral tone for the community.
  • By connecting God’s response directly to the cries of the oppressed, the verse warns that mistreating others is not just a social issue but a matter that God Himself will address.

Where else these words appear

“cry” Hebrew H6818 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
  • Exodus 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
  • Psalms 9:12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

“If” Hebrew H518 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Numbers 24:22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
  • 2 Kings 9:35 And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.

“cry” Hebrew H6817 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
  • Joshua 24:7 And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.
  • 2 Kings 8:5 And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

“afflict” Hebrew H6031 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
  • Judges 16:6 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
  • Psalms 107:17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.