Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 22:21-24

"And a sojourner shalt thou not wrong, neither shalt thou oppress him: for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt. Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them at all, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; and my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless." — Exodus 22:21-24 (ASV)

The juxtaposition of laws against oppression with three of the gravest crimes seems intended to indicate that oppression is among the sins which are most hateful in God’s sight. The lawgiver, however, does not say that it is to be punished capitally, nor, indeed, does he assign any legal penalty to it. Instead, he declares that God Himself will punish it with the sword (Exodus 22:24). Three classes of persons particularly liable to be oppressed are selected for mention:

1. Strangers, i.e., foreigners;
2. Widows;
3. Orphans.

Strangers have seldom been protected by any legislation, unless, indeed, they formed a class of permanent residents, like the Metœci at Athens. The law of civilized communities has generally afforded some protection to the orphan and the widow, particularly regarding rights of property. The protection given is, however, often insufficient; and it is of the highest importance that it should be supplemented by an assured belief that, beyond all legal penalties, lies the Divine sentence of wrath and punishment, certain to fall upon everyone who, careless of law and right, causes the stranger, the widow, or the orphan to suffer wrong at his hands.