And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse warns against taking "gifts," but it's crucial to see that the original Hebrew word here refers specifically to bribes. It's not just about not accepting presents, but about guarding against anything that could corrupt your judgment, even blinding those who are considered wise and clear-sighted to the truth of a just cause.
And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes during a section where God is giving the Israelites detailed instructions for living as a community, particularly concerning how they should treat each other and administer justice. It follows laws about fair testimony and precedes instructions on resting the land and observing festivals, all part of building a just and holy nation.
Why does the Bible say a bribe 'blinds the clear-sighted'? It's not just about money; it's about how even the wisest can be misled.
This verse warns against accepting bribes, emphasizing that such gifts have a powerful, distorting effect. Even those with sharp intellect and good intentions can have their judgment clouded.
How Bribes Corrupt:
Justice isn't just about punishment; it's about safeguarding those who are doing what's right. How does a bribe threaten this?
The command against taking bribes is fundamentally about ensuring justice for all, especially for those who are in the right. The integrity of the judicial process is paramount.
The Impact on the Righteous:
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Understand the original words
shohad · Hebrew Noun
A gift or payment given to influence a person to act dishonestly or to sway judgment in one's favor. It is condemned because it corrupts judgment and blinds the eyes to the truth.
This passage directly echoes Exodus 23:8, repeating the prohibition against taking bribes and emphasizing that bribes 'blind the eyes of the even the wise and twist the words of the innocent.' It reinforces the same core message about the corrupting nature of gifts in judgment.
Proverbs 17:23Solomon warns that 'a bribe is a hidden device' and 'blinds the eyes of the sensible.' This proverb amplifies the idea from Exodus 23:8 that bribes don't just affect the simple but even those considered wise and discerning, twisting their judgment.
Isaiah 5:23The prophet Isaiah denounces leaders who 'acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of their rights.' This passage shows the real-world consequences of bribery, directly contrasting with the divine command in Exodus 23:8 by illustrating the perversion of justice it causes.
1 Samuel 8:3This verse describes how Eli's sons 'turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.' It serves as a historical example of the very sin God forbids in Exodus 23:8, highlighting the corruption that can seep into leadership when integrity is compromised by greed.
Psalm 15:5This psalm describes the one who 'does not lend money at exorbitant interest or take a bribe against the innocent.' It paints a picture of righteousness that aligns with the command in Exodus 23:8, showing how avoiding bribes is a fundamental characteristic of a person who walks uprightly before God.
bensonExodus 23:8: "And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous."
Exodus 23:8 . Thou shalt take no gift — From those whose causes are depending before thee; because, if thou dost not sell justice for it, thou wilt both seem and be tempted to do so. The gift blindeth the wise — Bribes and interest cast a mist before the eyes, and bias the judgment and affections even of those who are otherwise wise and discerning. Besides, a habit of taking br…
pulpitExodus 23:8: "And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous."
Verse 8. - And thou shalt take no gift. 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…
This verse warns against taking "gifts," but it's crucial to see that the original Hebrew word here refers specifically to bribes. It's not just about not accepting presents, but about guarding against anything that could corrupt your judgment, even blinding those who are considered wise and clear-sighted to the truth of a just cause.
This verse comes during a section where God is giving the Israelites detailed instructions for living as a community, particularly concerning how they should treat each other and administer justice. It follows laws about fair testimony and precedes instructions on resting the land and observing festivals, all part of building a just and holy nation.
This verse comes during a section where God is giving the Israelites detailed instructions for living as a community, particularly concerning how they should treat each other and administer justice. It follows laws about fair testimony and precedes instructions on resting the land and observing festivals, all part of building a just and holy nation.
"And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right." — This verse warns against taking "gifts," but it's crucial to see that the original Hebrew word here refers specifically to bribes. It's not just about not accepting presents, but about guarding aga…
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Last reviewed October 2026