Exodus 23:1-9 ESV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:1

Thou shalt not raise a false report - Acting contrary to this precept is a sin against the ninth commandment. And the inventor and receiver of false and slanderous reports, are almost equally criminal. The word seems to refer to either, and our translators have very properly retained both senses, putting raise in the text, and receive in the margin. The original תשא לא lo tissa has been translated, thou shalt not publish. Were there no publishers of slander and calumny, there would be no... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:2

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil - Be singular. Singularity, if in the right, can never be criminal. So completely disgraceful is the way of sin, that if there were not a multitude walking in that way, who help to keep each other in countenance, every solitary sinner would be obliged to hide his head. But רבים rabbim , which we translate multitude, sometimes signifies the great, chiefs, or mighty ones; and is so understood by some eminent critics in this place: "Thou shalt... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:3

Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause - The word דל dal , which we translate poor man, is probably put here in opposition to רבים rabbim , the great, or noble men, in the preceding verse: if so, the meaning is, Thou shalt neither be influenced by the great to make an unrighteous decision, nor by the poverty or distress of the poor to give thy voice against the dictates of justice and truth. Hence the ancient maxim, Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum . "Let justice be done,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:4

If thou meet thine enemy's ox - going astray - From the humane and heavenly maxim in this and the following verse, our blessed Lord has formed the following precept: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you;" Matthew 5:44 . A precept so plain, wise, benevolent, and useful, can receive no other comment than that which its influence on the heart of a kind and merciful man produces in his life. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:6

Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor - Thou shalt neither countenance him in his crimes, nor condemn him in his righteousness. See Exodus 23:5 , Exodus 23:7 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:8

Thou shalt take no gift - A strong ordinance against selling justice, which has been the disgrace and ruin of every state where it has been practiced. In the excellent charter of British liberties called Magna Charta, there is one article expressly on this head: Nulli vendemus, nulli negabimus aut differemus, rectum aut justitiam - Art. xxxiii. "To none will we sell, to none will we deny or defer, right or justice." This was the more necessary in those early and corrupt times, as he who... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:9

Ye know the heart of a stranger - Having been strangers yourselves, under severe, long continued, and cruel oppression, ye know the fears, cares, anxieties, and dismal forebodings which the heart of a stranger feels. What a forcible appeal to humanity and compassion! read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:1

Verse 1 1.Thou shalt not receive (margin) a false report. It might also be translated, Thou shalt not raise, or stir up: and, if this be preferred, God forbids us to invent calumnies; but, if we read, Thou shalt not receive, He will go further, i e. , that none should cherish, or confirm the lie of another by his support of it. For it has been stated that sin may thus be committed in two ways: either when the wicked invent false accusations, or when other over-credulous persons eagerly... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:4

Verse 4 Exodus 23:4.If thou meet thine enemy’s ox. From these two passages it is very clear that he who abstains from evil doing, is not therefore guiltless before God, unless he also studies to do good. For our brethren’s advantage ought to be so far our care, that we should be disposed mutually to aid each other as far as our means and opportunities permit. This instruction is greatly needed; because, whilst everybody is more attentive to his own advantage than he ought to be, he is willing... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:6

Verse 6 6.Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor. Since laws are enacted to repress the vices which are of frequent occurrence, no wonder that God should put forward the case of the poor, to whom it often happens that they fail though their causes are good, both because they are without interest and are exposed to injury through the contempt in which they are held, and also because they cannot contend with the rich in incurring expense. Justly, then, is provision made for their... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:6

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