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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:18-22

Here is, I. Care taken for the due administration of justice among them, that controversies might be determined, matters in variance adjusted, the injured redressed, and the injurious punished. While they were encamped in the wilderness, they had judges and officers according to their numbers, rulers of thousands and hundreds, Exod. 18:25. When they came to Canaan, they must have them according to their towns and cities, in all their gates; for the courts of judgment sat in the gates. Now, 1.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:19

Thou shall not wrest judgment ,.... Or pervert it, pass a wrong sentence, or act contrary to justice; this is said to the judges as a direction to them, and so what follows: thou shalt not respect persons ; so as to give the cause on account of outward circumstances and relations; as in favour of a rich man against a poor man merely for that reason, or of a near relation or intimate friend and acquaintance against a stranger, but justice should be administered without favour or affection... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Moses had at an earlier period appointed judges to settle disputes among the people, and had given instructions to them for the discharge of their duty ( Exodus 18:1-27 ; Deuteronomy 1:12-18 ). Whilst the people were in the wilderness, united as one body and under the leadership of Moses, this arrangement was sufficient; but a more extended arrangement would be required when they came to be settled in Canaan and dispersed in towns and villages over the whole land. In prospect of this,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:18-20

(See Homily, De 10:17—11:1, "God no respecter of persons.") read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Impartial judges. We have here the election of judges or magistrates laid down as a duty. In the election they are to secure impartial and incorruptible men. A bribe is not to be thought of by the judges—nor are they to respect persons. And here let us notice— I. THAT ALL JUDGMENT AMONG MEN IS THE FORESHADOWING OF A DIVINE JUDGMENT AT THE LAST . We live under a moral Governor who has not yet delivered final judgment upon his creatures. That final review of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:18-21

Model judges. I. JUDGES OCCUPY A HIGH AND RESPONSIBLE POSITION . 1. They are necessary. They require to be set up "in all thy gates … throughout thy tribes." 2. They represent God ( Deuteronomy 1:17 ). They are called "gods" ( Psalms 82:1 ). They are clothed with a portion of God's authority ( Romans 13:1 ). 3. They are set to uphold the sacred interests of justice. 4. They may, by wresting judgment, or by hasty and wrong decisions, inflict irremediable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:18-22

The administration of justice. True religion is related to true morality as the parent is related to the child. God cares as much that right dispositions should prevail between man and man as between man and God. By an eternal decree, religion and morality have been conjoined, and no man can put them asunder. He that loves God will love his brother also. I. THE ADMINISTRATION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IS ENTRUSTED TO IMPERFECT MEN . The laws of the Jews were framed in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:19

(Cf. Exodus 23:6 , Exodus 23:8 .) Respect persons (cf. Deuteronomy 1:17 ). Pervert the words [margin, matters ] of the righteous ; rather, the case or the cause of the righteous . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 16:18-22

These verses are closely connected in subject with the following chapter, and introduce certain directions for the administration of justice and the carrying on of the civil government of the people in Canaan. During the lifetime of Moses, he himself, especially inspired and guided by God, was sufficient, with the aid of the subordinate judges (compare Exodus 18:13 ff), for the duties in question. But now that Moses was to be withdrawn, and the people would soon be scattered up and down the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 16:19-20

Deuteronomy 16:19-20. Thou shalt not wrest judgment Not give a forced and unjust sentence. Thou shalt not respect persons Not give sentence according to the quality of the person, his riches or poverty, friendship or enmity, but according to the justice of the cause. A gift doth blind the eyes of the wise Biases his mind, that he cannot discern between right and wrong. And pervert the words of the righteous That is, the sentence of those judges who are inclined and used to do... read more

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