Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, a bribe is an illicit payment or gift given to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of authority. The Bible consistently condemns the practice of bribery, associating it with corruption, injustice, and moral decay. The act of giving or receiving a bribe is seen as a perversion of justice and a violation of God's commandments.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament contains numerous admonitions against bribery, emphasizing its destructive impact on justice and righteousness. In
Exodus 23:8, the Israelites are instructed, "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous." This verse highlights the corrupting power of bribes, which can distort judgment and lead to unjust decisions.
Deuteronomy 16:19 further reinforces this principle: "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." Here, the emphasis is on maintaining impartiality and integrity in judicial matters, underscoring the importance of fair and unbiased judgment.
The book of Proverbs also addresses the issue of bribery, offering wisdom on its consequences.
Proverbs 17:23 states, "A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice." This verse characterizes bribery as an act of wickedness that undermines the legal system and societal order.
New Testament ReferencesWhile the New Testament does not address bribery as explicitly as the Old Testament, the principles of justice and integrity remain central. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize honesty, fairness, and the rejection of corrupt practices.
In the account of Jesus' trial, the chief priests and elders sought false testimony against Him, illustrating the corrupting influence of bribery and deceit (
Matthew 26:59). Although not a direct reference to bribery, this incident reflects the broader biblical theme of corruption in judicial proceedings.
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsFrom a biblical perspective, bribery is fundamentally opposed to the character of God, who is just and righteous. The practice of giving or receiving bribes is seen as a betrayal of trust and a violation of the divine order. It undermines the principles of justice, equality, and truth that are foundational to a godly society.
The Bible calls believers to uphold justice and righteousness in all their dealings, rejecting any form of corruption or partiality. In
Micah 6:8, the prophet summarizes God's requirements: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
ConclusionThe biblical condemnation of bribery serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of integrity and justice. Believers are called to reflect God's character in their actions, ensuring that their conduct aligns with His standards of righteousness and truth.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
None to be taken; "for the gift maketh open eyes blind, and perverteth the cause of the righteous" (
Exodus 23:8, literally rendered).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A gift begged; a present.
2. (n.) A price, reward, gift, or favor bestowed or promised with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct of a judge, witness, voter, or other person in a position of trust.
3. (n.) That which seduces; seduction; allurement.
4. (v. t.) To rob or steal.
5. (v. t.) To give or promise a reward or consideration to (a judge, juror, legislator, voter, or other person in a position of trust) with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct; to induce or influence by a bribe; to give a bribe to.
6. (v. t.) To gain by a bribe; of induce as by a bribe.
7. (v. i.) To commit robbery or theft.
8. (v. i.) To give a bribe to a person; to pervert the judgment or corrupt the action of a person in a position of trust, by some gift or promise.
Strong's Hebrew
7809. shachad -- to give a present,bribe... 7808, 7809. shachad. 7810 . to give a present,
bribe. Transliteration: shachad
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-khad') Short Definition:
bribe. Word Origin a prim.
...7810. shochad -- a present,bribe
... 7809, 7810. shochad. 7811 . a present,bribe. Transliteration: shochad
Phonetic Spelling: (shakh'-ad) Short Definition:bribe. Word...
8021. shalmon -- a reward,bribe
... shalmon. 8022 . a reward,bribe. Transliteration: shalmon Phonetic Spelling:
(shal-mone') Short Definition: rewards.... reward. From shalam; abribe -- reward....
3724. kopher -- the price of a life, ransom
... 3723, 3724. kopher. 3724a . the price of a life, ransom. Transliteration:
kopher Phonetic Spelling: (ko'-fer) Short Definition:bribe....
7966. shillum -- requital
... 7965, 7966. shillum or shillum. 7967 . requital. Transliteration: shillum or
shillum Phonetic Spelling: (shil-loom') Short Definition:bribe....
4979. mattanah -- a gift
... Word Origin fem. of mattan Definition a gift NASB Word Usage bestowed (1),
bribe (1), bribes (1), gift (3), gifts (10), give (1). gift....
3724a. kopher -- the price of a life, ransom
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition the price of a life, ransom NASB Word
Usagebribe (1), bribes (1), ransom (11). 3724, 3724a. kopher. 3724b ....
Library
Thus Wrote the Aforesaid Pope Boniface for the Salvation of King...
... understood that he had appeared in that province, and that he and his companions
were hospitably entertained by Redwald, he sent messengers tobribe that king...
Your Letter Goes On:
... 4. Your letter goes on. "Pray do not trouble yourself to give a large sum of gold
tobribe my secretary, as your friends did in... What! Ibribe your Secretary!...
Letter Liii. To the Chorepiscopi.
... To the recipient of thebribe it must be said, as was said by the Apostles to him
who was willing to give money to buy the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, "Thy...
Epistle cx. To Theoderic and Theodebert, Kings of the Franks .
... 2:18). But what can be the works of a priest who is convicted of obtaining
the dignity of so great a sacrament by abribe? Thus...
Epistle xxxii. To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily.
... of the servant of God, brother Cyriacus, at Rome I questioned him closely as to
whether he had communicated with thee about the receiving of abribe in the...
Simon the Sorcerer
... on 'whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.' That preposterous wish
was quite as bad as, and was the root of, his absurd offer tobribe Peter....
Prolonged Agony
... I received abribe.'. For whatbribe did you sell your guilty soul?' asked Chrysostom....
If holy priestsbribe slaves to murder, how can ignorant slaves resist?...
The Sins of Society
... For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just,
they take abribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their...
Psalm LXXX.
... thou doest it because thou fearest. A man wouldbribe thee, for example,
to bear false witness. Countless cases there are, but I...
Jesus Before Herod.
... chiefly inhabited by Pharisees, to let them know that they must assemble in the
neighbourhood of Pilate's palace, gather together the rabble, andbribe them to...
Thesaurus
Bribe (27 Occurrences)... voter, or other person in a position of trust) with a view to prevent the judgment
or corrupt the conduct; to induce or influence by a
bribe; to give a
bribe to
...Gift (148 Occurrences)
... (3.) Abribe to a judge to obtain a favourable verdict (Exodus 23:8;
Deuteronomy 16:19).... 3. (n.) Abribe; anything given to corrupt....
Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... According to the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 23:8) `abribe blindeth the eyes of
the open-eyed.' This descriptive phrase indicates a prolific cause of the...
Twists (12 Occurrences)
... Twists (12 Occurrences). Exodus 23:8 "You shall take nobribe, for abribe blinds
those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous. (See NIV)....
Subverts (4 Occurrences)
... Subverts (4 Occurrences). Exodus 23:8 "You shall take nobribe, for abribe blinds
those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous. (See NAS RSV)....
Blindness (7 Occurrences)
... According to the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 23:8) `abribe blindeth the eyes of
the open-eyed.' This descriptive phrase indicates a prolific cause of the...
Pervert (18 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 16:19 You shall not wrest justice: you shall not respect persons; neither
shall you take abribe; for abribe does blind the eyes of the wise, and...
Bribes (14 Occurrences)
... your God -- He 'is' God of the gods, and Lord of the lords; God, the great, the
mighty, and the fearful; who accepteth not persons, nor taketh abribe; (See NIV...
Bribery (2 Occurrences)
... brib'-er-i (shochadh, "a gift," in a corrupt sense, "abribe"): The Hebrew law condemns
everything that would tend to impair the impartial administration of...
Accepts (14 Occurrences)
... your God -- He 'is' God of the gods, and Lord of the lords; God, the great, the
mighty, and the fearful; who accepteth not persons, nor taketh abribe; (See NIV...
Resources
What does the Bible say about bribery / giving or receiving a bribe? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Porcius Festus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Jacob wrestling with God? | GotQuestions.orgBribe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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