9200. Ye shall not afflict. That this signifies that they are not to be defrauded, is evident from the signification of “afflicting,” when said of those who wish to be instructed in truth, and to be led to good, as being to defraud; here, not to defraud, because it is said “Ye shall not afflict.” The “sojourner,” the “orphan,” and the “widow” are often mentioned together in the Word, as in David:

Jehovah, who preserveth the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow (Psalms 146:9).

Defraud ye not the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow (Jeremiah 22:3).

In thee they have dealt with the sojourner by oppressions; in thee have they defrauded the orphan and the widow (Ezekiel 22:7).

Wrest not the judgment of the sojourner, of the orphan, and the widow (Deuteronomy 24:17; 27:19).

What is left in the fields, the oliveyards and the vineyards, shall be for the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow (Deuteronomy 24:19-22; 26:12-13).

Jehovah executeth the judgment of the orphan, of the widow, and loveth the sojourner (Deuteronomy 10:18).

In like manner in the passage before us, “a sojourner thou shalt not afflict, and shalt not oppress; any widow and orphan ye shall not afflict.” When these three are thus mentioned together, they fall with the angels into one sense; namely, that with those who are in the church, good and truth are to be conjoined according to order; thus reciprocally, truth with good, and good with truth; for by “a sojourner” are meant those who wish to be instructed in such things as are of the church; by “widows,” the conjunction of good with truth; and by “orphans,” the conjunction of truth with good; which conjunction is reciprocal. The case is similar with all other passages in the Word; when explained as to the internal sense they seem scattered; but with the angels they are combined into one sense; nay into one idea.