A common misinterpretation twists this verse into a blanket endorsement of unrestricted modern immigration policies without regard for law or national security, ignoring the broader Mosaic context of regulated sojourners under Israel's covenant laws; conversely, some dismiss it entirely as obsolete, justifying xenophobia, whereas the passage actually balances empathy with the expectation of strangers conforming to societal justice, not enabling chaos or entitlement.
Exodus 23:9
King James Version (1769)
9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Exodus 23:9 commands the Israelites not to oppress foreigners living among them, drawing on their own historical experience as strangers in Egypt to cultivate empathy and ensure just treatment. This core truth underscores God's call for compassion and fairness toward vulnerable outsiders, reminding His people that shared humanity and past deliverance should motivate equitable conduct rather than exploitation or prejudice.