Exodus 23:1-7 KJV

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:6

Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause. As the poor man was not to be favoured when his cause was bad through an affected pity for him as a poor man, so his judgment was not to be wrested or perverted, when his cause was good, because of his poverty; which is too often the case, through the power of rich men, and the prevalence of their gifts and bribes, and to curry favour with them: the phrase, "thy poor", is very emphatic, and intended to engage judges to regard them,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:7

Keep thee far from a false matter ,.... Or "word" F26 מדבר שקר "a verbo mendacii", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius, Junius & Tremellius, Tigurine version, Fagius. ; from receiving a false testimony, or taking the false or wrong side of a cause, or engaging in a bad one; keep aloof off from it, as much at a distance from it as possible: and the innocent and the righteous slay thou not ; that is, do not condemn them to death, nor join with the majority in their... read more

Adam Clarke

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:7

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

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

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