Exodus 23:8

Exodus 23:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
• New International Version (NIV)“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.

Context of Exodus 23:8

6You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. 7Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. 9Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. 10For six years you are to sow your land and gather its produce,

Exodus 23:8 word by word

וְשֹׁ֖חַד לֹ֣א תִקָּ֑ח כִּ֤י הַשֹּׁ֙חַד֙ יְעַוֵּ֣ר פִּקְחִ֔ים וִֽיסַלֵּ֖ף דִּבְרֵ֥י צַדִּיקִֽים׃Read the interlinear

• Do notלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
• acceptלָקַחlâqach · to take: takeH3947
• a bribeשֹׁ֫חַדshachad · bribeH7810
• forכִּיkîy · forH3588
• blindsעָוַר‛âvar · to blindH5786
• those who seeפִּקֵּחַpiqqêach · seeingH6493
• and twistsסָלַףsâlaph · to pervertH5557
• the wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• of the righteousצַדִּיקtsaddîyq · righteousH6662

Cross-references for Exodus 23:8

• Deuteronomy 16:19Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
• 1 Samuel 8:3But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
• 1 Samuel 12:3Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
• Psalms 26:10in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.
• Proverbs 15:27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
• Proverbs 17:8A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
• Proverbs 19:4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
• Ecclesiastes 7:7Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
• Isaiah 1:13Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.
• Isaiah 5:23who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.
• Ezekiel 22:12In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.
• Hosea 4:18When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.
• Amos 5:12For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.
• Micah 7:3Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

Commentaries on Exodus 23:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Thou shalt take no gift - A strong ordinance against selling justice, which has been the disgrace and ruin of every state where it has been practiced. In the excellent charter of British liberties called Magna Charta, there is one article expressly on this head: Nulli vendemus, nulli negabimus aut differemus, rectum aut justitiam - Art. xxxiii. "To none will we sell, to none will we deny or defer, right or justice." This was the more necessary in those…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6-9Verses 6-9 Four precepts evidently addressed to those in authority as judges: (a) To do justice to the poor. Comparing Exodus 23:6 with Exodus 23:3, it was the part of the judge to defend the poor against the oppression of the rich, and the part of the witness to take care lest his feelings of natural pity should tempt him to falsify evidence. (b) To be cautious of inflicting capital punishment on one whose guilt was not clearly proved. A doubtful case…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-9This call for justice includes a mixed list of covenant requirements. Most of these requirements deal with fairness and honesty in daily life. They show how God’s people should treat others with integrity.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-331. put not thine hand--join not hands.Read the comment

Topics related to Exodus 23:8

• Bribery
• Court
• Justice
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Beware
• Book
• Bribe
• Countenance
• Gift
• Ingathering
• Refresh
• Seethe
• Turn
• Wrest

Commentaries on Exodus 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings