CINXE.COM

<!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 23:6 You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/23-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/02_Exo_23_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 23:6 - Justice and Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits." /><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/23-6.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/23-6.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 6</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="/ad6.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/23-5.htm" title="Exodus 23:5">◄</a> Exodus 23:6 <a href="/exodus/23-7.htm" title="Exodus 23:7">►</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 deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“In a lawsuit, you must not deny justice to the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute.<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 pervert the justice <i>due</i> to your needy <i>brother</i> in his dispute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall not pervert the justice <i>due</i> to your needy <i>brother</i> in his dispute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall not cause the justice <i>due</i> to your needy <i>brother</i> to be turned aside in his case.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not pervert (bend) the justice due to your poor in his dispute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You must not deny justice to a poor person among you in his lawsuit.<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 deny justice to a poor person among you in his lawsuit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not wrest the justice due to thy poor in his cause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Make sure that the poor are given equal justice in court. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Never deny justice to poor people in court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Do not deny justice to a poor person when he appears in court. <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 pervert justice for the poor among you in their lawsuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You must not turn away justice for your poor people in their lawsuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not turn aside the judgment of your poor in his strife;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Thou dost not turn aside the judgment of thy needy one in his strife;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of thy needy in his cause.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not go aside in the poor man's judgment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not deviate in judgment of the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not pervert justice for the needy among you in a lawsuit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in their lawsuits.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not pervert the justice due to a poor man in his lawsuit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You shall not decline the justice of the poor in his judgment.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not wrest the sentence of the poor in his judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/23-6.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=5767" 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">5</span>If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it. <span class="reftext">6</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.">You shall not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: ṯaṭ·ṭeh (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">deny</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·paṭ (N-msc) -- Judgment. ">justice</a> <a href="/hebrew/34.htm" title="34: ’eḇ·yō·nə·ḵā (Adj-msc:: 2ms) -- In want, needy, poor. From 'abah, in the sense of want; destitute.">to the poor</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: bə·rî·ḇōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">in their lawsuits.</a> </span><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.…<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="/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="/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="/micah/3-9.htm">Micah 3:9</a></span><br />Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15</a></span><br />You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm">Deuteronomy 27:19</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/82-2.htm">Psalm 82:2-4</a></span><br />“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah / Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1-2</a></span><br />Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Jeremiah 5:28</a></span><br />They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Ezekiel 22:29</a></span><br />The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.<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/2-6.htm">James 2:6</a></span><br />But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?<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. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not wrest the judgment of your poor in his cause.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2,3</a></b></br> Thou shalt not follow a multitude to <i>do</i> evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest <i>judgment</i>: … </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="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm">Deuteronomy 27:19</a></b></br> Cursed <i>be</i> he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/revelation/3-8.htm">Deny</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/revelation/16-6.htm">Due</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-7.htm">Lawsuits</a> <a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Pervert</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Suit</a> <a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Wrest</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/leviticus/16-31.htm">Deny</a> <a href="/exodus/24-14.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/29-28.htm">Due</a> <a href="/exodus/28-15.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/hosea/10-4.htm">Lawsuits</a> <a href="/exodus/23-11.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Pervert</a> <a href="/exodus/23-11.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/numbers/27-14.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/judges/17-10.htm">Suit</a> <a href="/exodus/23-27.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Wrest</a> <a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Wrong</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>You shall not deny justice</b><br>This command underscores the importance of justice as a fundamental principle in the Mosaic Law. Justice is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting God's character as a just and righteous judge (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a>). The Hebrew word for justice, "mishpat," implies fairness, equity, and the proper administration of the law. This commandment aligns with other biblical injunctions against partiality and corruption (<a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15</a>, <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a>). The emphasis on justice is also seen in the prophetic literature, where prophets like Isaiah and Amos call out the leaders of Israel for failing to uphold justice (<a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a>, <a href="/amos/5-24.htm">Amos 5:24</a>).<p><b>to the poor</b><br>The poor, or "ani" in Hebrew, often represent the marginalized and vulnerable in society. In ancient Israel, the poor were particularly susceptible to exploitation and injustice due to their lack of resources and social standing. The Bible consistently advocates for the protection and fair treatment of the poor, reflecting God's concern for the oppressed (<a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Psalm 82:3-4</a>, <a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8-9</a>). Jesus Christ, in His ministry, also emphasized care for the poor, highlighting their blessedness in the Beatitudes (<a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3</a>) and identifying with them (<a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a>).<p><b>in their lawsuits</b><br>Legal proceedings in ancient Israel were typically held at the city gates, where elders and judges would hear cases (<a href="/deuteronomy/21-19.htm">Deuteronomy 21:19</a>, <a href="/ruth/4.htm">Ruth 4:1</a>). The mention of lawsuits indicates a formal legal context where justice must be upheld. The Mosaic Law provided specific guidelines to ensure fairness in legal matters, including the requirement for multiple witnesses (<a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>) and the prohibition of false testimony (<a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a>). This phrase highlights the necessity of impartiality and integrity in judicial processes, ensuring that even the poor receive a fair hearing. The New Testament echoes this principle, as seen in <a href="/james/2.htm">James 2:1-9</a>, where believers are warned against showing favoritism based on wealth or status.<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 Law from God on Mount Sinai, including the instructions found in <a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Exodus 23</a>.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were given the Law to guide their conduct and relationship with God and each other.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where God delivered the Law to Moses, including the commandments and ordinances found in Exodus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_poor.htm">The Poor</a></b><br>A group specifically mentioned in this verse, representing those who are vulnerable and often marginalized in society.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judicial_system_in_ancient_israel.htm">Judicial System in Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The context in which this command was given, emphasizing fairness and justice in legal matters.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_as_a_divine_mandate.htm">Justice as a Divine Mandate</a></b><br>God’s command to not deny justice to the poor reflects His character as a just God. Believers are called to mirror this attribute in their dealings with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/impartiality_in_judgment.htm">Impartiality in Judgment</a></b><br>The verse underscores the importance of impartiality, especially in legal matters. Christians are encouraged to uphold fairness and integrity, resisting the temptation to favor the wealthy or powerful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/advocacy_for_the_vulnerable.htm">Advocacy for the Vulnerable</a></b><br>This command highlights the need for advocacy on behalf of those who are marginalized. Believers are called to be voices for the voiceless and to ensure that justice is accessible to all, regardless of their socio-economic status.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflection_of_christ's_teachings.htm">Reflection of Christ’s Teachings</a></b><br>Jesus’ ministry often focused on the marginalized, and His followers are called to continue this mission by ensuring justice and mercy are extended to all.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_justice_in_today's_world.htm">Practical Justice in Today’s World</a></b><br>Applying this principle today involves engaging in social justice initiatives, supporting fair legal practices, and being aware of the systemic issues that affect the poor.<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_is_god's_justice.htm">What does it mean that God embodies justice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_jury_duty.htm">What does the Bible say about serving on a jury?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_god's_justice.htm">What does it mean that God embodies justice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_29_26_clash_with_human_justice.htm">Proverbs 29:26 declares true justice comes solely from the LORD; does this clash with other biblical passages endorsing human justice systems?</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>(6) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor.</span>--If we are not to favour the poor man in a court of justice on account of his poverty (<a href="/exodus/23-3.htm" title="Neither shall you countenance a poor man in his cause.">Exodus 23:3</a>), much less are we to treat him with disfavour. (Comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/24-17.htm" title="You shall not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:">Deuteronomy 24:17</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm" title="Cursed be he that perverts the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.">Deuteronomy 27:19</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm" title="They are waxen fat, they shine: yes, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.">Jeremiah 5:28</a>, &c.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - As in verse 3 men were warned not to favour the poor unduly in courts of justice out of compassion for them, so here there is a warning against the opposite, and far more usual error, of leaning against the poor man in our evidence or in our decisions The scales of justice are to be held even; strict right is to be done; our feelings are not be allowed to influence us, much less our class prejudices. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/23-6.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">You shall not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</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">deny</span><br /><span class="heb">תַטֶּ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯaṭ·ṭeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">justice</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפַּ֥ט</span> <span class="translit">(miš·paṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the poor</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶבְיֹנְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(’eḇ·yō·nə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_34.htm">Strong's 34: </a> </span><span class="str2">In want, needy, poor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in their lawsuits.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרִיבֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rî·ḇōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strife, dispute</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">OT Law: Exodus 23:6 You shall not deny justice to your (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/23-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 23:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/23-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 23:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:7" /></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>