You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.
Seduction of a virgin binds a man to marry her and pay her dowry, yet even here the father's consent remains absolute; he may refuse the match and the man must pay compensation for the injury instead. This law honors marriage and teaches children not to marry without parental blessing.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 22:16-24
And my wrath shall wax hot,.... Against those that afflict them, being so devoid of humanity, compassion, and tenderness, and so guilty of oppression and injustice, which are aggravated by the circumstances of the persons they ill treat, and therefore the more provoking to God: and I will kill you with the sword; with the sword of death, says the Targum of Jonathan; it designs...
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child - It is remarkable that offenses against this law are not left to the discretion of the judges to be punished; God reserves the punishment to himself, and by this he strongly shows his abhorrence of the crime.