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href="/bsb/exodus/22.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/22.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not curse God, nor curse the ruler of your people [since he administers God’s law].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not revile God, nor curse a ruler of thy people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't speak evil of me or of the ruler of your people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not revile God, nor curse a ruler of thy people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Never show disrespect for God or curse a leader of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Do not speak evil of God, and do not curse a leader of your people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to blaspheme God or curse a ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not revile God, and you do not curse a prince among your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'God thou dost not revile, and a prince among thy people thou dost not curse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not make light of God, and thou shalt not curse the chiefs of thy people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not speak ill of the gods, and the prince of thy people thou shalt not curse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not disparage the heavens, and you shall not speak evil of the leader of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not despise God, nor curse a leader of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not revile God, or curse a leader of your people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not revile the judge nor curse the ruler of your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not vilify the Judge and do not curse the Ruler of your people.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou shalt not revile God, nor curse a ruler of thy people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor speak ill of the ruler of thy people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/22-28.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=5700" 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/22.htm">Laws of Social Responsibility</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">27</span>because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. <span class="reftext">28</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 must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: ṯə·qal·lêl (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">blaspheme</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/779.htm" title="779: ṯā·’ōr (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To curse. A primitive root; to execrate.">or curse</a> <a href="/hebrew/5387.htm" title="5387: wə·nā·śî (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Or nasi'; from nasa'; properly, an exalted one, i.e. A king or sheik; also a rising mist.">the ruler</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ḇə·‘am·mə·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of your people.</a> <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."></a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons.…<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="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-7</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">1 Peter 2:13-17</a></span><br />Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. / For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-5.htm">Acts 23:5</a></span><br />“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-21.htm">Matthew 22:21</a></span><br />“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-1.htm">1 Timothy 2:1-2</a></span><br />First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-1.htm">Titus 3:1</a></span><br />Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Proverbs 24:21</a></span><br />My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:20</a></span><br />Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">1 Samuel 24:6</a></span><br />So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-14.htm">2 Samuel 1:14</a></span><br />So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">2 Peter 2:10</a></span><br />Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-8.htm">Jude 1:8</a></span><br />Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-12.htm">Leviticus 19:12</a></span><br />You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">Deuteronomy 17:12</a></span><br />But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.</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 revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of your people.</p><p class="hdg">the gods.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-8.htm">Exodus 22:8,9</a></b></br> If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, <i>to see</i> whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/32-6.htm">Psalm 32:6</a></b></br> For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/82-1.htm">Psalm 82:1-7</a></b></br> A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods… </p><p class="hdg">nor curse</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17</a></b></br> And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">1 Samuel 24:6,10</a></b></br> And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he <i>is</i> the anointed of the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9</a></b></br> And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/23-9.htm">Amongst</a> <a href="/revelation/13-6.htm">Blaspheme</a> <a href="/genesis/49-7.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/exodus/22-9.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Prince</a> <a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Revile</a> <a href="/exodus/6-3.htm">Ruler</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/31-3.htm">Amongst</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-14.htm">Blaspheme</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/numbers/25-5.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/numbers/2-3.htm">Prince</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-14.htm">Revile</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-22.htm">Ruler</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-1.htm">Of Theft</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-5.htm">Of damage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-7.htm">Of trespasses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-14.htm">Of borrowing</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Of fornication</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-18.htm">Of witchcraft</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-19.htm">Of bestiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Of strangers, widows, and fatherless</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Of usury</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-26.htm">Of pledges</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-28.htm">Of reverence to magistrates</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-29.htm">Of the first fruits</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-31.htm">Of torn flesh</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/22.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/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You must not blaspheme God</b><br>This command underscores the importance of reverence for God, a central tenet in the Israelite community. Blasphemy, or speaking irreverently about God, was considered a grave sin, reflecting a heart that does not honor the Creator. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, where God was seen as the ultimate authority and protector, blasphemy was not only a personal offense but a communal one, threatening the covenant relationship between God and His people. The seriousness of this command is echoed in <a href="/leviticus/24-16.htm">Leviticus 24:16</a>, where blasphemy is punishable by death, highlighting the sanctity of God's name. This reverence is further emphasized in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches His disciples to hallow God's name in the Lord's Prayer (<a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Matthew 6:9</a>).<p><b>or curse the ruler of your people</b><br>This phrase reflects the theocratic nature of ancient Israel, where civil and religious leadership were intertwined. The ruler, often a king or judge, was seen as God's appointed leader, and cursing such a figure was akin to rebelling against God's established order. This command promotes respect for authority, a principle reiterated in the New Testament by Paul in <a href="/romans/13.htm">Romans 13:1-7</a>, where believers are instructed to submit to governing authorities as they are instituted by God. Historically, this respect for leadership was crucial for maintaining social order and unity within the community. The ruler's role was not only administrative but also spiritual, guiding the people in adherence to God's laws. This respect for authority can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate ruler and shepherd of His people, deserving of honor and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The supreme being, creator, and sustainer of the universe, who is to be revered and respected.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/r/ruler_of_your_people.htm">Ruler of your people</a></b><br>Refers to the leaders or authorities appointed over the Israelites, such as judges or kings, who are to be respected as representatives of God's order.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God to whom the laws and commandments were given, including this directive in Exodus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader through whom God delivered the law to the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where Moses received the law from God, including the commandments found in Exodus.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_god.htm">Reverence for God</a></b><br>Recognize the importance of honoring God in our speech and actions. Blasphemy is not just about words but reflects a heart attitude towards God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_authority.htm">Respect for Authority</a></b><br>Understand that respecting leaders is part of God's order. Even when we disagree, we are called to honor their position.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_speech.htm">Guarding Our Speech</a></b><br>Be mindful of how we speak about God and leaders. Our words should reflect our respect and reverence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/submission_to_god's_order.htm">Submission to God's Order</a></b><br>Acknowledge that God has established authorities for our good. Trust in His sovereignty even when human leaders fail.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_obedience_and_conscience.htm">Balancing Obedience and Conscience</a></b><br>While respecting authority, remember that our ultimate allegiance is to God. When human laws conflict with God's commands, we must choose to obey God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_david's_acceptance_of_cursing_contradict.htm">(2 Samuel 16:10–12) Does David’s acceptance of Shimei’s cursing contradict other texts where blasphemy or cursing of God’s anointed is forbidden? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_forgiving_abusers.htm">What does 'reviler' mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'reviler'_mean_in_the_bible.htm">What does "reviler" mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_paul_insult_the_high_priest.htm">Acts 23:2–5 – Why would Paul insult the high priest if he claimed to follow Jewish law and respect its leaders? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(28) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt not revile the gods.--</span>The LXX. And Vulgate give the passage this sense; and so it was understood, or at any rate expounded, by Philo (<span class= "ital">De Vit. Mos. </span>ii. 26) and Josephus (<span class= "ital">Ant. Jud. </span>iv. 8, ? 10), who boasted that the Jews abstained from reviling the gods of the nations. But the practice of the most pious Israelites in the best times was different (<a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm" title="And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleeps, and must be awaked.">1Kings 18:27</a>; <a href="/context/psalms/115-4.htm" title="Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.">Psalm 115:4-8</a>; <a href="/context/psalms/135-15.htm" title="The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.">Psalm 135:15-18</a>; <a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm" title="Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.">Isaiah 41:29</a>; <a href="/context/isaiah/44-9.htm" title="They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>; <a href="/context/jeremiah/10-11.htm" title="Thus shall you say to them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.">Jeremiah 10:11-15</a>, &c.). The gods of the heathen were uniformly, and with the utmost scorn. "reviled." It has been suggested that the true meaning of <span class= "ital">elohim </span>in this place is "judges" (Rosenmller, Zunz, Herxheimer); but to have that sense, the word requires the article. It is best, therefore, to translate by "God," as is done by De Wette, Knobel, Keil, Kalisch, Canon Cook, &c., and to understand the entire passage as intended to connect the sin of cursing a ruler with that of reviling God, the ruler being regarded as God's representative. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span>- <span class="accented">Law against reviling God, or rulers</span>. It has been proposed to render Elohim here either <p><span class="Text_Heading">1.</span> "God;" or <p><span class="Text_Heading">2.</span> "The gods;" or <p><span class="Text_Heading">3<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/22-28.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 must 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">blaspheme</span><br /><span class="heb">תְקַלֵּ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(ṯə·qal·lêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slight, swift or trifling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or curse</span><br /><span class="heb">תָאֹֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·’ōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_779.htm">Strong's 779: </a> </span><span class="str2">To execrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ruler</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָשִׂ֥יא</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·śî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5387.htm">Strong's 5387: </a> </span><span class="str2">An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your people.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְעַמְּךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·‘am·mə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/22-28.htm">OT Law: Exodus 22:28 You shall not blaspheme God nor curse (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/22-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 22:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 22:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/22-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 22:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 22:29" /></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>