Thematic Bible: Oppressions of


Thematic Bible



Thou hast taken the pledge from thy brethren for naught, and robbed the naked of their clothing;

that drive away the ass of the fatherless; that take the widow's ox for a pledge;

And there cried a certain woman of the wives of the children of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, "Thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD. And the creditor is come to fetch my two sons, to be his bondmen."


Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest that adversary deliver ye to the judge, and the judge deliver ye to the minister, and then thou be cast into prison. I say unto ye verily, Thou shalt not come out thence, till thou have paid the utmost farthing.

While thou goest with thine adversary to the ruler: as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him, lest he bring thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the jailer, and the jailer cast thee into prison. I tell thee thou departest not thence, till thou have made good the utmost mite.

And there arose a great complaint of the people, and of their wives, against their brethren the Jews. For there were some that said, "Our sons and daughters and we are too many, let us take corn for them to eat, that we may live." Some said, "Let us set our lands, vineyards, and houses, to pledge, and take up corn in the dearth." read more.
But some said, "Let us borrow money of the king's tribute for our lands and vineyards. Now are our brethrens' bodies as our own bodies and their children as our children: else should we subdue our sons and daughters into bondage, and some of our daughters are subdued already, and no strength is there in our hands, and other men shall have our lands and vineyards." But when I heard their complaint and such words, it displeased me sore, and I advised so in my mind, that I rebuked the councilors and the rulers, and said unto them, "Will ye require usury one of another?" And I brought a great congregation against them, and said unto them, "We, after our ability, have bought our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the Heathen. And will ye sell your brethren, whom we have bought unto us?" Then held they their peace, and could find nothing to answer. Also I said, "It is not good, that ye do. Ought ye not to walk in the fear of God because of the rebuke of the Heathen our enemies? I and my brethren, and my servants have lent them money and corn: but as for usury, let us leave it. Therefore this same day see that ye restore them their lands again, their vineyards, oil gardens, and houses, and the hundredth part of the money of the corn, wine, and oil, that ye have won of them." Then said they, "We will restore them again and will require nothing of them and will do as thou hast spoken." And I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do so. And I shook my lap, and said, "God shake out every man after the same manner from his house and labour, that maintaineth not this word: even thus be he shaken out, and void." And all the congregation said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did so.

But he shall labour, and yet have nothing to eat. Great travail shall he make for riches, but he shall not enjoy them. And why? He hath oppressed the poor, and not helped them: houses hath he spoiled, and not builded them. His belly could never be filled; therefore shall he perish in his covetousness.

Be not thou one of them that bind their hand upon promise, and are surety for debt; for if thou hast nothing to pay, they shall take away thy bed from under thee.

And the said servant went out and found one of his fellows, which owed him a hundred pence. And laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me that thou owest.' And his fellow fell down, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. read more.
When his other fellows saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that had happened. Then his Lord called him, and said unto him, 'O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou praydest me: Was it not mete also, that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow, even as I had pity on thee?' And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due to him. So like wise shall my heavenly father do unto you, except ye forgive with your hearts, each one to his brother their trespasses."





And he went, and clave to a citizen of that same country, which sent him to his field, to keep his swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the cods, that the swine ate: and no man gave him.


"Thy father made our yoke grievous, but now make thou the grievous service of thy father and his sore yoke which he put upon us, lighter; and so we will serve thee."

"Thy father made us a grievous yoke: but remit thou somewhat of the grievous service of thy father and of his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee."