Exodus 23:5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 23:1-9

Here are, I. Cautions concerning judicial proceedings; it was not enough that they had good laws, better than ever any nation had, but care must be taken for the due administration of justice according to those laws. 1. The witnesses are here cautioned that they neither occasion an innocent man to be indicted, by raising a false report of him and setting common fame against him, nor assist in the prosecution of an innocent man, or one whom they do not know to be guilty, by putting their hand... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:5

If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden ,.... Fallen down, and such a burden upon him that he cannot rise up again, but lies under it, and the owner of it is not able of himself to raise it up again: and wouldst forbear to help him ; show an inclination to pass on without giving him any assistance to get up his beast again; or "wouldst thou forbear to help him?" F23 וחדלת מעזב "num desines sublevare eum?" some in Vatablus; "cessabis auxitiari ei?"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-9

Seeking the things which make for justice. The illustrations adduced in these nine verses show the various ways in which men may be tempted to injustice in judicial procedure. Those who believe themselves wronged have to appeal to their fellow men to settle the matter so far as human capacity can settle it. Hence the positions indicated in this passage. We see plaintiffs, defendants, witnesses, judges, and supporters and sympathisers, and the great aim set before all of them is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-10

Doing justice and loving mercy. In pursuance of its great requirement of love to one's neighbour, the law next prohibits the raising of a false report, the bearing of false witness in a court of justice, and the wresting of judgment. Recognising however, that "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts , murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness , blasphemies" ( Matthew 15:19 ), the taw, in addition to forbidding the outward acts, is at pains to warn against the motives... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-19

THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT .— Continued . MISCELLANEOUS LAWS — continued . The same want of logical arrangement appears in this chapter as in the preceding one. The first nine verses contain some twelve laws, of which not more than two that are consecutive can be said to be on the same subject. There is perhaps in the section a predominant idea of warning against sins and errors connected with the trial of causes before a court, but Exodus 23:4 and Exodus 23:5 , at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-33

1 . That he will send an angel before them to be their guide, director, and helper ( Exodus 23:20 - 23). 2 . That he will be the enemy of their enemies ( Exodus 23:22 ), striking terror into them miraculously ( Exodus 23:27 ), and subjecting them to other scourges also ( Exodus 23:28 ). 3 . That he will drive out their enemies "by little and little" ( Exodus 23:30 ), not ceasing until he has destroyed them ( Exodus 23:23 ). 4 . That he will give them the entire... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:5

If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee, etc. The general meaning of the passage is clear—assistance is to be given to the fallen ass of an enemy—but the exact sense of both the second and third clauses is doubtful. Many renderings have been suggested; but it is not clear that any one of them is an improvement on the Authorised Version. Thou shalt surely help with him . The joint participation in an act of mercy towards a fallen beast would bring the enemies into friendly contact,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:5-6

The duties which men owe to their enemies. These duties may be considered as they were revealed to men. 1 . Under the law: and 2 . Under the gospel. I. UNDER THE LAW . Men were required to protect the interests of their enemies, when they could do so without loss to themselves. For instance— 1 . They were not to cut down fruit trees in an enemy's country ( Deuteronomy 20:19 , Deuteronomy 20:20 ). 2 . They were not to remove a neighbour's landmark, even though... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 23:4-5

So far was the spirit of the law from encouraging personal revenge that it would not allow a man to neglect an opportunity of saving his enemy from loss.Exodus 23:5The sense appears to be: “If thou see the ass of thine enemy lying down under his burden, thou shalt forbear to pass by him; thou shalt help him in loosening the girths of the ass.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 23:5

Exodus 23:5. And wouldest forbear to help him The duty inculcated in this verse is inculcated also Deuteronomy 22:4, although not in the same words in the original. And the intention of both verses is plain, but the marginal reading here shows that there is some difficulty in the Hebrew text in this place. The precept, however, evidently means, whatever controversy thou hast with him that hates thee, it shall not hinder thee from succouring him or his in any distress. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 23:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:5-6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 23:4-5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 23:5

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