· Translation: KJV

Exodus 22:23If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry;

The setting

Mount Sinai, Egypt/Israel border, ~1450 BC. Moses receives detailed laws for protecting society's most vulnerable members.

The emotion here: reverent awe at God's fierce protection of the vulnerable

The original word

za'aq (זָעַק) — desperate cry for help, not casual prayer but anguished plea

Why it matters

This law specifically protected widows, orphans, and foreigners who had no legal advocates

Read with care

What most readers miss in Exodus 22:23

God promises to SURELY hear - the Hebrew doubles the verb for absolute certainty

Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about charity, but it's God establishing a legal system where He personally guarantees justice for those with no human advocate.

Bible Genome reading

Exodus 22:23 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerGod
Eraexodus
Primary emotionresting
Literary typelaw
MarkPromise of God

Emotional genome

Comfort power80%
Quotability70%
Memorability70%
Crisis relevance90%
Standalone60%
Themes:divine hearingcompassion

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Exodus 22

Exodus 22:23 comes from the book of Exodus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is resting, with a comfort power of 80% and a tone that is tender. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine hearing, compassion. Notable phrases: cry to me; surely hear their cry. This verse contains a promise of God.

Your reflection

What does Exodus 22:23 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "resting"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.