Tree of Life Version
Exodus 23:8
8Take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight, and perverts the words of the righteous.
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 are not to pervert justice to your poor in his dispute. 7Stay far away from a false charge. Do not kill the innocent and the righteous, for I will not justify the guilty. Take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight, and perverts the words of the righteous. 9“Do not oppress an outsider, for you know the heart of an outsider, since you were outsiders in the land of Egypt. 10“For six years you are to sow your land and gather the increase.
Read all of Exodus 23Exodus 23:8 word by word
וְשֹׁ֖חַד לֹ֣א תִקָּ֑ח כִּ֤י הַשֹּׁ֙חַד֙ יְעַוֵּ֣ר פִּקְחִ֔ים וִֽיסַלֵּ֖ף דִּבְרֵ֥י צַדִּיקִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Exodus 23:8
- Deuteronomy 16:19You are not to twist justice—you must not show partiality or take a bribe, for 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—they took bribes and perverted justice.
- 1 Samuel 12:3Here I am. Witness against me before Adonai and before His anointed. Whose ox have I taken or whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded or whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I taken a bribe to look the other way? I will restore it to you.”
- Psalms 26:10in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hand is full of bribes.
- Proverbs 15:27One greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.
- Proverbs 17:8A bribe is a charm in the eyes of its owner. Wherever he turns, he succeeds.
- Proverbs 19:4Wealth adds many friends, yet a poor man is deserted by his friend.
- Ecclesiastes 7:7For extortion drives a wise man crazy, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
- Isaiah 1:13Bring no more worthless offerings! Incense is an abomination to Me. New Moon and Shabbat, the calling of convocations —I cannot endure it— iniquity with solemn assembly.
- Isaiah 5:23who justify the wicked for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of justice!
- Ezekiel 22:12They accept bribes in order to shed blood in you; you have taken usurious interest. You have greedily gained by oppressing your neighbors, and you have forgotten Me.” It is a declaration of Adonai.
- Hosea 4:18Their liquor has come to an end. They surely have practiced prostitution. Her rulers have deeply loved disgrace.
- Amos 5:12For I know your crimes are many and your sins countless— afflicting the righteous, taking bribes, and turning the needy aside at the gate.
- Micah 7:3Both hands are diligent at doing evil. The official and the judge ask for a bribe. The distinguished man utters a desire of his soul. Thus they weave 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
In the dictionaries
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
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