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.

EXODUS 23:5KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 23:5 (KJV)

What does Exodus 23:5 mean?

Exodus 23:5 tells the reader that if you see your enemy’s donkey struggling under a heavy load, you should help, even if you would rather walk away. The verse commands active assistance to someone you dislike, focusing on doing what is right regardless of personal feelings.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites, giving them laws for how to treat others, even those considered enemies. The situation described is practical—seeing an animal in distress that belongs to someone who hates you. The law insists that personal grudges must not stop a person from helping another, especially when an animal is suffering.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 23:5

  • "Hateth" (שָׂנֵא, śānē’): This word means someone who is hostile or has strong negative feelings toward you. The verse specifically addresses helping not just anyone, but someone you have a strained relationship with.
  • "Forbear" (חָדַל, ḥādal): This word means to hold back or refrain. The verse recognizes the natural urge to avoid helping an enemy, but commands the opposite.
  • "Help" (עָזַב, ‘āzab): Used three times in this verse, this word means to assist or support. The repetition emphasizes that helping is not optional but required, highlighting the strength of the command.

Why Exodus 23:5 matters

  • Exodus 23:5 clarifies that moral responsibility extends even to those we dislike, not just friends or neutral parties.
  • The verse highlights that the law cares for both people and animals, showing concern for the well-being of all creatures.
  • This command fits into a broader section of Exodus that teaches justice, fairness, and compassion, even in difficult or uncomfortable situations.

Where else these words appear

“lying” Hebrew H7257 · used in 30 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.
  • Job 11:19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
  • Isaiah 27:10 Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

“forbear” Hebrew H2308 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 11:8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
  • 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
  • Job 19:14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

“burden” Hebrew H4853 · used in 60 verses

  • Numbers 4:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
  • Isaiah 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

“ass” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 31:30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.