If you see the ass of him that hates you lying under his burden, and would forbear to help him, you shall surely help with him.
if thou see
Deuteronomy 22:4 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.
and wouldest forbear to help him.
do not leave it there;
This directive underscores the moral obligation to act, rather than remain passive, in the face of another's need. The cultural expectation in ancient Israel was to assist those in distress, reflecting the communal nature of society. This commandment aligns with the broader biblical theme of justice and righteousness, where inaction in the face of suffering is seen as a failure to uphold God's law. Proverbs 24:11-12 similarly calls for intervention to rescue those in danger, reinforcing the idea that God's people are to be proactive in doing good.
you must help him with it.
The requirement to assist the enemy's donkey highlights the call to overcome personal animosity and act with kindness. This act of helping is not just about alleviating the animal's suffering but also about extending grace to the enemy, promoting reconciliation and peace. This principle is mirrored in the New Testament, where Paul in Romans 12:20-21 encourages believers to overcome evil with good. The act of helping an enemy's donkey can be seen as a type of Christ's own ministry, where He bore the burdens of humanity, offering help and salvation to those who were once His enemies (Romans 5:8-10).
God begins with “If you see,” placing responsibility on the one who observes the need. Awareness is never accidental in His providence; He lets us notice so we can respond. In Deuteronomy 22:1–4 the Lord gives similar instructions about returning a stray ox or sheep, reinforcing that seeing obligates caring. In the New Testament, 1 John 3:17 presses the same point: if we have the world’s goods and “see” a brother in need yet close our heart, love is absent.
The animal belongs to an enemy, yet God erases the option of selective compassion. Proverbs 25:21 and Romans 12:20 echo this, urging kindness to foes. Jesus deepens it in Matthew 5:43-44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” The command exposes whether our obedience is rooted in convenience or in the character of Christ, who aided us “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8).
The picture is weighty—an animal crushed by an overload, powerless to rise. Galatians 6:2 tells believers to “carry one another’s burdens,” tying physical help to spiritual practice. The wounded traveler in Luke 10:30 lay helpless until compassion lifted him; this donkey images every heavy-laden soul we meet.
Indifference is disobedience. James 4:17 states, “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” Walking past advertises a heart untouched by mercy. 1 John 3:18 calls for love “in action and in truth,” not passivity.
God’s directive is active: lift, steady, restore. The Good Samaritan “went to him… set him on his own animal… took care of him” (Luke 10:34-35), modeling this verse in motion. Galatians 6:10 adds, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone,” including adversaries. Obedience may cost time, strength, or reputation, but it displays the gospel’s power to overcome hostility with grace.
Exodus 23:5 moves from sight to action: notice the need, refuse prejudice, feel the weight, reject apathy, and step in to lift. God’s people mirror His intervening love when they stoop to raise even an enemy’s burdened beast, preaching the gospel through hands-on mercy.
(5) If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee . . . --The sense is clear, but the words are greatly disputed. If a man sees his enemy's ass prostrate under its burthen, he is to help to raise it up. In this case he owes a double duty--(1) to his enemy, and (2) to the suffering animal. Geddes' emendation of 'azar for 'azab, in all the three places where the verb occurs, is the simplest and best of those suggested. The passage would then run: "If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burthen, and wouldest forbear to help it, thou shalt surely help with him"--i.e., the owner.Verse 5. - If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee, etc. The general meaning of the passage is clear - assistance is to be given to the fallen ass of an enemy - but the exact sense of both the second and third clauses is doubtful. Many renderings have been suggested; but it is not clear that any one of them is an improvement on the Authorised Version. Thou shalt surely help with him. The joint participation in an act of mercy towards a fallen beast would bring the enemies into friendly contact, and soften their feelings towards each other.