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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 23:8 Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/23-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/02_Exo_23_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 23:8 - Justice and Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/23-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/23-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/23-7.htm" title="Exodus 23:7">◄</a> Exodus 23:8 <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm" title="Exodus 23:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“And you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the testimony <i>and</i> the cause of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and corrupts the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and corrupts the words of the righteous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt take no bribe: for a bribe blindeth them that have sight, and perverteth the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't accept bribes. Judges are blinded and justice is twisted by bribes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt take no gift: for a gift blindeth them that have sight, and perverteth the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never take a bribe, because bribes blind those who can see and deny justice to those who are in the right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are not to take a bribe because a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and distorts the words of the righteous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You must not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and subverts the words of the righteous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you do not take a bribe, for the bribe binds the open-[eyed] and perverts the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And a bribe thou dost not take; for the bribe bindeth the open -eyed, and perverteth the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt not take a gift; for the gift will blind the seeing, and will pervert just words.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Neither shalt thou take bribes, which even blind the wise, and pervert the words of the just. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Neither shall you accept bribes, which blind even the prudent and subvert the words of the just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Never take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and distorts the words of the just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the officials, and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And you shall take no bribe; for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise in judgment and perverts the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not take a bribe because a bribe puts out the eyes of the wise in judgment and subverts the words of the innocent.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And thou shalt take no gift; for a gift blindeth them that have sight, and perverteth the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt not receive gifts; for gifts blind the eyes of the seeing, and corrupt just words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/23-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5780" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Justice and Mercy</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: ṯiq·qāḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">accept</a> <a href="/hebrew/7810.htm" title="7810: wə·šō·ḥaḏ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A present, bribe. From shachad; a donation.">a bribe,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/7810.htm" title="7810: haš·šō·ḥaḏ (Art:: N-ms) -- A present, bribe. From shachad; a donation.">a bribe</a> <a href="/hebrew/5786.htm" title="5786: yə·‘aw·wêr (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To make blind, blind. A primitive root; to blind.">blinds</a> <a href="/hebrew/6493.htm" title="6493: piq·ḥîm (Adj-mp) -- Seeing. From paqach; clear-sighted; figuratively, intelligent.">those who see</a> <a href="/hebrew/5557.htm" title="5557: wî·sal·lêp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjImperf-3ms) -- To twist, pervert, overturn. A primitive root; properly, to wrench, i.e. to subvert.">and twists</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the words</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dî·qîm (Adj-mp) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">of the righteous.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a></span><br />Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Proverbs 17:23</a></span><br />A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-25.htm">Deuteronomy 27:25</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">1 Samuel 8:3</a></span><br />But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23</a></span><br />Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a></span><br />Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-27.htm">Proverbs 15:27</a></span><br />He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:7</a></span><br />Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-12.htm">Amos 5:12</a></span><br />For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Isaiah 5:23</a></span><br />who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-10.htm">1 Timothy 6:10</a></span><br />For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a></span><br />Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a></span><br />Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">2 Peter 2:15</a></span><br />They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall take no gift: for the gift blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.</p><p class="hdg">thou shalt take</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a></b></br> Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">1 Samuel 8:3</a></b></br> And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm">1 Samuel 12:3</a></b></br> Behold, here I <i>am</i>: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received <i>any</i> bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.</p><p class="hdg">the wise.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Accept</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Blinds</a> <a href="/acts/24-26.htm">Bribe</a> <a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/exodus/21-8.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/43-34.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/exodus/18-25.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">Open</a> <a href="/luke/23-14.htm">Perverteth</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-10.htm">Perverts</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-4.htm">Rewards</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Right</a> <a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/exodus/19-11.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-3.htm">Subverts</a> <a href="/psalms/29-9.htm">Twists</a> <a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/exodus/22-23.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/22-25.htm">Accept</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Blinds</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-17.htm">Bribe</a> <a href="/exodus/23-33.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/exodus/28-15.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/exodus/24-17.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/leviticus/1-10.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/numbers/11-16.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/exodus/27-9.htm">Open</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm">Perverteth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Perverts</a> <a href="/numbers/22-7.htm">Rewards</a> <a href="/exodus/29-20.htm">Right</a> <a href="/numbers/23-10.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/exodus/24-17.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Subverts</a> <a href="/exodus/26-4.htm">Twists</a> <a href="/exodus/26-15.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/exodus/28-3.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Of slander, false witness, and partiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Of charitableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Of justice in judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Of taking bribes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Of oppressing a stranger</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-10.htm">Of the year of rest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Of the Sabbath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-14.htm">Of the three feasts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-18.htm">Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not accept a bribe</b><br>This command is part of the broader legal and ethical instructions given to the Israelites. Bribery was a common issue in ancient Near Eastern societies, often leading to corruption and injustice. The prohibition against accepting bribes underscores the importance of integrity and fairness in judicial and personal dealings. In the context of the Mosaic Law, this command reflects God's desire for His people to uphold justice and righteousness, as seen in other passages like <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a> and <a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Proverbs 17:23</a>. The principle of rejecting bribes is echoed in the New Testament, where leaders are called to be above reproach (<a href="/1_timothy/3-2.htm">1 Timothy 3:2-3</a>).<p><b>for a bribe blinds those who see</b><br>Bribery is depicted as having the power to corrupt judgment and discernment. The metaphor of blindness suggests a loss of moral and ethical clarity, leading to decisions that favor the unjust. This imagery is consistent with other biblical references, such as <a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Isaiah 5:23</a>, which condemns those who justify the wicked for a bribe. The idea of blindness also connects to spiritual blindness, a theme Jesus addresses in the Gospels (<a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39-41</a>), where He contrasts physical sight with spiritual insight.<p><b>and twists the words of the righteous</b><br>Bribery not only affects the judgment of those in authority but also distorts the truth and integrity of the righteous. This phrase highlights the destructive impact of corruption on society, where even the words and testimonies of the just can be manipulated. The twisting of words is akin to bearing false witness, a violation of the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a>). In a broader sense, this reflects the spiritual battle between truth and deception, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture, culminating in the ultimate triumph of truth in Christ (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including the commandment against accepting bribes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, to whom the laws were given as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where Moses received the Ten Commandments and other laws, including this directive against bribery.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judges_and_leaders.htm">Judges and Leaders</a></b><br>The primary audience for this command, as they were responsible for maintaining justice among the people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The destination of the Israelites, where they were to establish a society based on God's laws.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_leadership.htm">Integrity in Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders must uphold justice and avoid corruption. Accepting bribes compromises integrity and leads to unjust decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_blinding_effect_of_bribery.htm">The Blinding Effect of Bribery</a></b><br>Bribery distorts perception and judgment, making it impossible to see clearly and act righteously.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/righteousness_and_justice.htm">Righteousness and Justice</a></b><br>Upholding justice is a core biblical principle. Believers are called to act justly and love mercy, reflecting God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_corruption.htm">Guarding Against Corruption</a></b><br>Christians must be vigilant against any form of corruption in their personal and professional lives, ensuring their actions align with biblical values.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_accountability.htm">Community Accountability</a></b><br>The community of believers should hold each other accountable to maintain justice and righteousness, supporting leaders who exemplify these values.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_bribery.htm">What does the Bible say about bribery?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_chastity_show_spiritual_purity.htm">What does the Bible say about bribery?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_bribes.htm">What does the Bible say about accepting bribes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_define_perversion.htm">How does the Bible define perversion?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt take no gift</span>--i.e., no bribe. Corruption has been always rife in the East, and the pure administration of justice is almost unknown there. Signal punishments by wise rulers have sometimes checked the inveterate evil (Herod. v. 25). But it recurs again and again--"Naturam expellas furca, tarnen usque recurret." According to Josephus (<span class= "ital">contr. Ap. ii.</span> 27), the Jewish law punished with death the judge who took a bribe. But Hebrew judges seem practically to have been no better than Oriental judges generally. (See <a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm" title="And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.">1Samuel 8:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/26-10.htm" title="In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.">Psalm 26:10</a>; <a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm" title="A wicked man takes a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.">Proverbs 17:23</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm" title="Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loves gifts, and follows after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.">Isaiah 1:23</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm" title="Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!">Isaiah 5:23</a>; <a href="/context/micah/3-9.htm" title="Hear this, I pray you, you heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.">Micah 3:9-11</a>, &c.) The corrupt Administration of justice was one of the crying evils which provoked God's judgments against His people, and led, in the first instance, to the Babylonian captivity, and afterwards to the Roman conquest. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And thou shalt take no gift</span>. The worst sin of a judge, and the commonest in the East, is to accept abribe from one of the parties to a suit, and give sentence accordingly. As such a practice defeats the whole end for which the administration of justice exists, it is, when detected, for the most part, punished capitally. Josephus tells us that it was so among the Jews (<span class="accented">Contr. Apion</span>. 2:27); but the Mosaic code, as it has come down to us, omits to fix the penalty. Whatever it was, it was practically set at nought. Eli's sons "turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment" (<a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">1 Samuel 8:3</a>). In David's time, men's hands were "full of bribes" (<a href="/psalms/26-10.htm">Psalm 26:10</a>). Solomon complains of wicked men" taking gifts out of their bosoms to pervert the ways of judgment" (<a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Proverbs 17:23</a>). Isaiah is never weary of bearing witness against the princes of his day, who" love gifts and follow after rewards" (<a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23</a>);who "justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him" (<a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Isaiah 5:23</a>). Micah adds his testimony - "Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob and princes of the house of Israel, that <span class="accented">abhor judgment and pervert all equity</span>. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward" (<a href="/exodus/3-9.htm">Exodus 3:9-11</a>). <span class="cmt_word">The gift blindeth the wise</span>. See <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/23-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">accept</span><br /><span class="heb">תִקָּ֑ח</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiq·qāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a bribe,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹׁ֖חַד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šō·ḥaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7810.htm">Strong's 7810: </a> </span><span class="str2">A present, bribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a bribe</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשֹּׁ֙חַד֙</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šō·ḥaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7810.htm">Strong's 7810: </a> </span><span class="str2">A present, bribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blinds</span><br /><span class="heb">יְעַוֵּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(yə·‘aw·wêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5786.htm">Strong's 5786: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make blind, blind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those who see</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּקְחִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(piq·ḥîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6493.htm">Strong's 6493: </a> </span><span class="str2">Clear-sighted, intelligent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and twists</span><br /><span class="heb">וִֽיסַלֵּ֖ף</span> <span class="translit">(wî·sal·lêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5557.htm">Strong's 5557: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twist, pervert, overturn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the words</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבְרֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(diḇ·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the righteous.</span><br /><span class="heb">צַדִּיקִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣad·dî·qîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">OT Law: Exodus 23:8 You shall take no bribe (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/23-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 23:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 23:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>