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.
• New International Version (NIV)The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.
• 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.

Context of Proverbs 17:23

21It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel. 22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice. 24Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. 25Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

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 like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!
• Proverbs 18:16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
• Proverbs 21:14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.
• Exodus 23:8“Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth.
• Deuteronomy 16:19You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly.
• 1 Samuel 8:3But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice.
• 1 Samuel 12:3Now testify against me in the presence of the Lord and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong.”
• Isaiah 1:23Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them love bribes and demand payoffs, but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans or fight for the rights of widows.
• Ezekiel 22:12There are hired murderers, loan racketeers, and extortioners everywhere. They never even think of me and my commands, says the Sovereign Lord.
• Micah 7:3Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil! Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice.
• Mark 14:10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange 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