Exodus 23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 23

This chapter continues and concludes the acts that passed in the first session (if I may so call it) upon mount Sinai. Here are, I. Some laws of universal obligation, relating especially to the ninth commandment, against bearing false witness (Exod. 23:1), and giving false judgment, Exod. 23:2, 3, 6-8. Also a law of doing good to our enemies (Exod. 23:4, 5), and not oppressing strangers, Exod. 23:9. II. Some laws peculiar to the Jews. The sabbatical year (Exod. 23:10, 11), the three annual... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 23:1-9

Here are, I. Cautions concerning judicial proceedings; it was not enough that they had good laws, better than ever any nation had, but care must be taken for the due administration of justice according to those laws. 1. The witnesses are here cautioned that they neither occasion an innocent man to be indicted, by raising a false report of him and setting common fame against him, nor assist in the prosecution of an innocent man, or one whom they do not know to be guilty, by putting their hand... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 23:10-19

Here is, I. The institution of the sabbatical year, Exod. 23:10, 11. Every seventh year the land was to rest; they must not plough nor sow it at the beginning of the year, and then they could not expect any great harvest at the end of the year: but what the earth did produce of itself should be eaten from hand to mouth, and not laid up. Now this was designed, 1. To show what a plentiful land that was into which God was bringing them?that so numerous a people could have rich maintenance out of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 23:20-33

Three gracious promises are here made to Israel, to engage them to their duty and encourage them in it; and each of the promises has some needful precepts and cautions joined to it. I. It is here promised that they should be guided and kept in their way through the wilderness to the land of promise: Behold, I send an angel before thee (Exod. 23:20), my angel (Exod. 23:23), a created angel, say some, a minister of God's providence, employed in conducting and protecting the camp of Israel; that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 23 This chapter contains several laws, chiefly judicial, relating to the civil polity of Israel, as concerning witness borne and judgment made of cases in courts of judicature, without any respect to poor or rich, and without the influence of a bribe, Exodus 23:1 , concerning doing good to an enemy in case any of his cattle go astray, or fall under their burden, Exodus 23:4 , and of the oppression of a stranger, Exodus 23:9 , and then follow others concerning... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:1

Thou shalt not raise a false report ,.... Of a neighbour, or of any man whatever, either secretly by private slanders, whispers, backbiting and tale bearing, by innuendos, detracting from his good name and credit, suggesting things false and wicked concerning him; or publicly in a court of judicature, bringing a false accusation, laying a false charge, and bearing a false testimony against him: or "thou shall not receive a false report" F16 לא תשא "non suscipies", V. L. Pegninus,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:2

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil ,.... The Targums of Jerusalem and Jonathan add, but to do good. As in private life, the examples of the many, who are generally the most wicked, are not to be followed, though they too often are; examples, and especially of the multitude, having great influence, and therefore to be guarded against; so in public courts of judicature, where there are many judges upon the bench, if one of them is sensible that the greater part go wrong in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:3

Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. Because he is a poor man, and for that reason endeavour to carry his cause for him, right or wrong, from a foolish pity to him as a poor man, and from an affectation of gaining the applause of people on that account; or "thou shalt not honour" or "adorn" a poor man F21 לא תהדר "non honorabis", Pagninus, Vatablus, Drusius, Cartwright; "non decorabis", Montanus; "ne ornes", Tigurine version; "ne honorato", Junius & Tremellius;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:4

If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray ,.... Or any other beast, as the Samaritan version adds; for these are only mentioned for instances, as being more common, and creatures subject to go astray; now when such as these are met going astray, so as to be in danger of being lost to the owner, though he is an enemy; or as the Targum of Jonathan,"whom thou hatest because of a sin, which thou alone knowest in him;'yet this was not so far to prejudice the finder of his beasts... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:5

If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden ,.... Fallen down, and such a burden upon him that he cannot rise up again, but lies under it, and the owner of it is not able of himself to raise it up again: and wouldst forbear to help him ; show an inclination to pass on without giving him any assistance to get up his beast again; or "wouldst thou forbear to help him?" F23 וחדלת מעזב "num desines sublevare eum?" some in Vatablus; "cessabis auxitiari ei?"... read more

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