Do not accept a bribeThis 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
Deuteronomy 16:19 and
Proverbs 17:23. The principle of rejecting bribes is echoed in the New Testament, where leaders are called to be above reproach (
1 Timothy 3:2-3).
for a bribe blinds those who see
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 asIsaiah 5:23, 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 (John 9:39-41), where He contrasts physical sight with spiritual insight.
and twists the words of the righteous
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 (Exodus 20:16). 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 (John 14:6).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including the commandment against accepting bribes.
2.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, to whom the laws were given as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.
3.
Mount SinaiThe place where Moses received the Ten Commandments and other laws, including this directive against bribery.
4.
Judges and LeadersThe primary audience for this command, as they were responsible for maintaining justice among the people.
5.
Promised LandThe destination of the Israelites, where they were to establish a society based on God's laws.
Teaching Points
Integrity in LeadershipLeaders must uphold justice and avoid corruption. Accepting bribes compromises integrity and leads to unjust decisions.
The Blinding Effect of BriberyBribery distorts perception and judgment, making it impossible to see clearly and act righteously.
Righteousness and JusticeUpholding justice is a core biblical principle. Believers are called to act justly and love mercy, reflecting God's character.
Guarding Against CorruptionChristians must be vigilant against any form of corruption in their personal and professional lives, ensuring their actions align with biblical values.
Community AccountabilityThe community of believers should hold each other accountable to maintain justice and righteousness, supporting leaders who exemplify these values.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 23:8?
2.How does Exodus 23:8 warn against the corrupting influence of bribes today?
3.Why does accepting bribes "blind the clear-sighted" according to Exodus 23:8?
4.What other scriptures address the dangers of accepting bribes or corruption?
5.How can Christians ensure integrity in decision-making, avoiding bribes?
6.How does Exodus 23:8 apply to maintaining justice in modern society?
7.How does Exodus 23:8 address the issue of corruption in modern society?
8.Why does Exodus 23:8 emphasize the danger of bribes blinding the discerning?
9.What historical context influenced the command in Exodus 23:8?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 23?
11.What does the Bible say about bribery?
12.What does the Bible say about bribery?
13.What does the Bible say about accepting bribes?
14.How does the Bible define perversion?What Does Exodus 23:8 Mean
Do not accept a bribe“Do not accept a bribe…” (Exodus 23:8)
• God’s instruction is crystal-clear: any payment or gift meant to sway a decision is forbidden.
• The same prohibition appears inDeuteronomy 16:18-19, where judges are warned not to “accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise.” Consistency across passages reinforces that this is not a cultural suggestion but a timeless command.
•Proverbs 17:23 echoes the danger: “A wicked man receives a covert bribe to pervert the course of justice.”
• Refusing bribes preserves personal integrity and upholds God’s standard of impartial justice (Leviticus 19:15;James 2:1-4).
for a bribe blinds those who see“…for a bribe blinds those who see…” (Exodus 23:8)
• Bribery dulls moral perception. What once seemed obvious becomes blurry when money or favors cloud the conscience.
•Isaiah 5:22-23 warns against acquitting the guilty “for a bribe,” showing how distorted judgment spirals into societal decay.
•Deuteronomy 27:25 pronounces a curse on anyone who accepts a bribe to shed innocent blood, underscoring how blinding effects lead to grave injustice.
• Practically, accepting a bribe severs fellowship with the God who “shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34).
and twists the words of the righteous“…and twists the words of the righteous.” (Exodus 23:8)
• Bribery doesn’t just confuse the guilty; it perverts truth itself, bending the testimony of those who stand for what is right.
•Psalm 94:20 exposes rulers who “frame injustice by statute,” revealing how corruption weaponizes legal language.
•Isaiah 29:20-21 foretells judgment on those “who with a word make a man out to be guilty,” highlighting how bribery manipulates speech.
•Micah 3:9-11 shows leaders “who abhor justice” and “build Zion with bloodshed” because they “judge for a bribe,” illustrating institutional damage when righteous words are twisted.
• For believers, truthful speech is non-negotiable (Ephesians 4:25). Safeguarding it means rejecting any influence that would distort it.
summaryExodus 23:8 calls every believer to absolute integrity. By forbidding bribes, God protects clear sight, honest speech, and righteous judgment. When we refuse corrupt gain, we mirror His impartial character, safeguard the vulnerable, and keep truth from being bent out of shape.
(8)
Thou shalt take no gift--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 (
contr. Ap. ii. 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
1Samuel 8:3;
Psalm 26:10;
Proverbs 17:23;
Isaiah 1:23;
Isaiah 5:23;
Micah 3:9-11, &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. . . .
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 (
Contr. Apion. 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" (
1 Samuel 8:3). In David's time, men's hands were "full of bribes" (
Psalm 26:10). Solomon complains of wicked men" taking gifts out of their bosoms to pervert the ways of judgment" (
Proverbs 17:23). Isaiah is never weary of bearing witness against the princes of his day, who" love gifts and follow after rewards" (
Isaiah 1:23);who "justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him" (
Isaiah 5:23). Micah adds his testimony - "Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob and princes of the house of Israel, that
abhor judgment and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward" (
Exodus 3:9-11).
The gift blindeth the wise. See
Deuteronomy 16:19.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Do notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noacceptתִקָּ֑ח(ṯiq·qāḥ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947:To takea bribe,וְשֹׁ֖חַד(wə·šō·ḥaḏ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7810:A present, bribeforכִּ֤י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctiona bribeהַשֹּׁ֙חַד֙(haš·šō·ḥaḏ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7810:A present, bribeblindsיְעַוֵּ֣ר(yə·‘aw·wêr)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5786:To make blind, blindthose who seeפִּקְחִ֔ים(piq·ḥîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6493:Clear-sighted, intelligentand twistsוִֽיסַלֵּ֖ף(wî·sal·lêp̄)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5557:To twist, pervert, overturnthe wordsדִּבְרֵ֥י(diḇ·rê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causeof the righteous.צַדִּיקִֽים׃(ṣad·dî·qîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6662:Just, righteous
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OT Law: Exodus 23:8 You shall take no bribe (Exo. Ex) 
