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

6“You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute. 7Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty. “You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just. 9“You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt. 10“Now you shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield,

Exodus 23:8 word by word

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

• You shall not takeלָקַחlâqach · to take: takeH3947
• a bribeשֹׁ֫חַדshachad · bribeH7810
• blindsעָוַר‛âvar · to blindH5786
• the clear-sightedפִּקֵּחַpiqqêach · seeingH6493
• subvertsסָלַףsâlaph · to pervertH5557
• the causeדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• of the justצַדִּיקtsaddîyq · righteousH6662

Cross-references for Exodus 23:8

• Deuteronomy 16:19You shall not distort justice, you shall not show partiality; and you shall not accept a bribe, because a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and distorts the words of the righteous.
• 1 Samuel 8:3His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain, and they took bribes and perverted justice.
• 1 Samuel 12:3Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I exploited? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to close my eyes with it? I will return it to you.”
• Psalms 26:10In whose hands is a wicked scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes.
• Proverbs 15:27He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
• Proverbs 17:8A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
• Proverbs 19:4Wealth adds many friends, But a poor person is separated from his friend.
• Ecclesiastes 7:7For oppression makes a wise person look foolish, And a bribe corrupts the heart.
• Isaiah 1:13Do not go on bringing your worthless offerings, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the proclamation of an assembly-- I cannot endure wrongdoing and the festive assembly.
• Isaiah 5:23Who declare the wicked innocent for a bribe, And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!
• Ezekiel 22:12Among you they have taken bribes to shed blood; you have taken interest, you have injured your neighbors by oppression, and you have forgotten Me,” declares the Lord God.
• Hosea 4:18Their liquor is gone, They prostitute themselves continually; Their rulers dearly love shame.
• Amos 5:12For I know your offenses are many and your sins are great, You who are hostile to the righteous and accept bribes, And turn away the poor from justice at the gate.
• Micah 7:3As for evil, both hands do it well. The leader asks for a bribe, also the judge, And the great one speaks the capricious desire of his soul; So they plot it 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