Exodus 23:8
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)
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The verse emphasizes that a bribe doesn't just influence a judge; it actively "blinds" them, even when they are wise. This suggests that bribery doesn't simply lead to a wrong decision, but rather distorts their ability to see the truth of the matter at all.
This commandment appears within a section of laws concerning justice and how the people of Israel should conduct themselves in their dealings with one another. Coming after instructions on fairness in testimony and not following the crowd to do evil, it directly addresses those in positions of authority. It's part of a larger exhortation to live justly and honorably as God's chosen people.
Have you ever let a small favor or a personal preference cloud your judgment?
This verse warns against a specific kind of distortion – the bribe.
God's command here isn't just about avoiding outright theft; it's a profound call to maintain the integrity of justice. A bribe, no matter how small or seemingly innocent, acts like a thick fog, obscuring the truth.
Blinding the Wise
Even the most insightful person can have their vision clouded by a bribe. The 'wise' or 'clear-sighted' mentioned in the verse aren't necessarily foolish. Instead, the text highlights how a bribe can compromise even good judgment. It creates a bias, an unfair tilt in favor of the giver, making it difficult to see the situation clearly and impartially.
Subverting the Righteous Cause
This blinding effect directly leads to injustice. The 'cause of those who are in the right' gets twisted and overturned. A bribe doesn't just affect the judge's perception; it actively works against truth and fairness, leading to wrong decisions that harm innocent people.
The Bible doesn't shy away from showing how easily people fail, even those in positions of authority.
Exodus 23:8 isn't just a rule; it's a reflection of a pervasive problem throughout biblical history.
This command in Exodus wasn't just theoretical; it addressed a real and persistent temptation. Throughout the Old Testament, we see examples of how bribery and corruption plagued the administration of justice.
The Temptation of Power and Greed
Judges and leaders were often tempted by gifts and rewards to pervert judgment. This wasn't just a minor issue; it was a serious offense that drew God's condemnation.
Warnings from Prophets and Kings
The prophets frequently denounced corrupt judges who accepted bribes, highlighting how this sin contributed to the downfall of Israel and Judah. Even King David lamented the prevalence of bribes in his time, and Solomon warned against the practice. The recurring nature of these warnings underscores how difficult it was for people to uphold justice without prejudice.
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 repeats the command against taking bribes, emphasizing that a bribe corrupts not only the judge but also blinds the wise, highlighting the same core principle of justice being compromised.
Psalm 26:10This psalm speaks of hands being full of bribes, portraying the pervasive nature of corruption and the moral decay that results from accepting such illicit gains.
Proverbs 17:23Solomon starkly illustrates the danger of bribes, stating they are taken secretly to pervert the course of justice, directly echoing the warning in Exodus about subverting what is right.
Isaiah 5:23Isaiah condemns leaders who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of their rights, showing how accepting gifts leads to the perversion of righteousness, mirroring the consequence described in Exodus.
1 Samuel 8:3This passage illustrates the negative consequences of judges taking bribes, showing how Eli's sons perverted justice, underscoring the practical, destructive outcome of the prohibition in Exodus.
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…
The verse emphasizes that a bribe doesn't just influence a judge; it actively "blinds" them, even when they are wise. This suggests that bribery doesn't simply lead to a wrong decision, but rather distorts their ability to see the truth of the matter at all.
This commandment appears within a section of laws concerning justice and how the people of Israel should conduct themselves in their dealings with one another. Coming after instructions on fairness in testimony and not following the crowd to do evil, it directly addresses those in positions of authority. It's part of a larger exhortation to live justly and honorably as God's chosen people.
This commandment appears within a section of laws concerning justice and how the people of Israel should conduct themselves in their dealings with one another. Coming after instructions on fairness in testimony and not following the crowd to do evil, it directly addresses those in positions of authority. It's part of a larger exhortation to live justly and honorably as God's chosen people.
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"And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right." — The verse emphasizes that a bribe doesn't just influence a judge; it actively "blinds" them, even when they are wise. This suggests that bribery doesn't simply lead to a wrong decision, but rather…
