Proverbs 17:23

Proverbs 17:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.
• New Living Translation (NLT)The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice.

Context of Proverbs 17:23

21To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool. 22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice. 24A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

Proverbs 17:23 word by word

שֹׁ֣חַד מֵ֭חֵיק רָשָׁ֣ע יִקָּ֑ח לְ֝הַטּ֗וֹת אָרְח֥וֹת מִשְׁפָּֽט׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A wickedרָשָׁעrâshâ‛ · wickedH7563
• takethלָקַחlâqach · to take: recieveH3947
• a giftשֹׁ֫חַדshachad · bribeH7810
• out of the bosomחֵיקchêyq chêq chôq · bosom: secretH2436
• to pervertנָטָהnâţâh · to stretchH5186
• the waysאֹ֫רַח'ôrach · wayH734
• of judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:23

• Proverbs 17:8A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
• Proverbs 18:16A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
• Proverbs 21:14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
• Exodus 23:8“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.
• Deuteronomy 16:19Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.
• 1 Samuel 8:3But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.
• 1 Samuel 12:3Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”
• Isaiah 1:23Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.
• Ezekiel 22:12In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.
• Micah 7:3Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire— they all conspire together.
• Mark 14:10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23A gift out of the bosom - Out of his purse; as in their bosoms, above their girdles, the Asiatics carry their purses. I have often observed this.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The words “out of the bosom,” from the fold of the garment, rather than from the bag or girdle in which money was usually carried, possibly point to the stealthiness with which the “gift” (or, bribe) is offered to the judge.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. a gift ... bosom--Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom. to pervert--that is, by bribery.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:23

• Bribery

In the dictionaries

• Apparel
• Dress
• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Blindness, Judicial

Commentaries on Proverbs 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings