Exodus 23:3

Exodus 23:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
• New International Version (NIV)and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.
• English Standard Version (ESV)nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.
• New King James Version (NKJV)You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.

Context of Exodus 23:3

1Do not make false reports. Do not tell lies in court to help wicked people. 2Do not join a group of bad people to do evil things. When you speak in court, tell the truth so that the judges will decide what is right. Do not tell lies to agree with what everyone else says. Do not speak on behalf of a poor man only because you like him. 4Perhaps you may find your enemy's cow or his donkey when he has lost it. If so, you must give it back to him. 5Perhaps you may see your enemy's donkey when it is carrying a heavy load. If the donkey has fallen down, do not refuse to give help. Do not leave the donkey there.

Exodus 23:3 word by word

וְדָ֕ל לֹ֥א תֶהְדַּ֖ר בְּרִיבֽוֹ׃ סRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Neither shalt thou countenanceהָדַרhâdar · to honorH1921
• a poorדַּלdal · poorH1800
• man in his causeרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379

Cross-references for Exodus 23:3

• Psalms 82:2He asks them, ‘How long will you continue to judge people in a way that is not fair? How long will you say that wicked people are right? Selah.
• James 3:17But if God makes you really wise, you will live in a completely good way. That is the most important thing. Also, you will live in a way that brings peace. You will be kind to other people so that they become your friends. You will listen to them and not argue. You will forgive them and do many good things to help them. You will not choose between people. And you will not be a hypocrite.

Commentaries on Exodus 23:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause - The word דל dal, which we translate poor man, is probably put here in opposition to רבים rabbim, the great, or noble men, in the preceding verse: if so, the meaning is, Thou shalt neither be influenced by the great to make an unrighteous decision, nor by the poverty or distress of the poor to give thy voice against the dictates of justice and truth. Hence the ancient maxim, Fiat Justitia, Ruat…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-3Verses 1-3 These four commands, addressed to the conscience, are illustrations of the ninth commandment, mainly in reference to the giving of evidence in legal causes. Compare 1 Kings 21:10; Acts 6:11. Exodus 23:2 This verse might be more strictly rendered, “Thou shalt not follow the many to evil; neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause so as to incline after the many to pervert justice.” Exodus 23:3 Countenance - Rather, show partiality to a man‘s…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-3It is important to speak the truth, even when facing evil people, a crowd, or misguided motives (23:1, 2, 3, 7–8).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. countenance--adorn, embellish--thou shalt not varnish the cause even of a poor man to give it a better coloring than it merits.Read the comment

Topics related to Exodus 23:3

• Court
• Injustice
• Justice
• Poor
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Beware
• Book
• Countenance
• Ingathering
• Refresh
• Seethe
• Turn
• Wrest
• Bible, the
• Blindness, Judicial

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