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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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:20

That which is altogether just ; literally, justice , justice . The repetition of the word is for the sake of emphasis, as in Genesis 14:10 , "pits, pits," equal to full of pits. 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 16:18

Deuteronomy 16:18. Judges Chief magistrates, to examine and determine causes and differences. Officers Who were subordinate to the other, to bring causes and persons before them, to acquaint people with the sentence of the judges, and to execute their sentence. Thy gates Thy cities, which he here calls gates, because there were the seats of judgment set. Pursuant to this law, in every town which contained above a hundred and twenty families, there was a court of twenty-three judges;... 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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:18-22

Justice and government (16:18-17:20)A collection of miscellaneous laws deals with a variety of civil and religious matters. The courts had to administer justice impartially (18-20); the worship of Yahweh was not to involve any symbols or sacred objects taken from other religions (21-22); people were not to offer sick or lame animals in sacrifice (17:1); the testimony of at least two witnesses had to be in agreement before an accused person could be punished (2-7); and when local judges found a... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 16:19

thou shalt not. A special reading, known as Sevir, has "neither shalt thou". See App-34 . gift = bribe. read more

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