Exodus 23:3 NIV

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 23:3

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-3

God's care for the administration of justice. The well-being of a community depends largely on the right administration of justice within its limits. It has been said that the entire constitution of England with all its artifices, complications, balances, and other delicate arrangements, exists mainly for the purpose of putting twelve honest men into a jury-box. Fiat justitia, ruat coelum . Anything is preferable to the triumphant rule of injustice. The present passage clearly shows that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-9

Seeking the things which make for justice. The illustrations adduced in these nine verses show the various ways in which men may be tempted to injustice in judicial procedure. Those who believe themselves wronged have to appeal to their fellow men to settle the matter so far as human capacity can settle it. Hence the positions indicated in this passage. We see plaintiffs, defendants, witnesses, judges, and supporters and sympathisers, and the great aim set before all of them is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-10

Doing justice and loving mercy. In pursuance of its great requirement of love to one's neighbour, the law next prohibits the raising of a false report, the bearing of false witness in a court of justice, and the wresting of judgment. Recognising however, that "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts , murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness , blasphemies" ( Matthew 15:19 ), the taw, in addition to forbidding the outward acts, is at pains to warn against the motives... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-19

THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT .— Continued . MISCELLANEOUS LAWS — continued . The same want of logical arrangement appears in this chapter as in the preceding one. The first nine verses contain some twelve laws, of which not more than two that are consecutive can be said to be on the same subject. There is perhaps in the section a predominant idea of warning against sins and errors connected with the trial of causes before a court, but Exodus 23:4 and Exodus 23:5 , at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-33

1 . That he will send an angel before them to be their guide, director, and helper ( Exodus 23:20 - 23). 2 . That he will be the enemy of their enemies ( Exodus 23:22 ), striking terror into them miraculously ( Exodus 23:27 ), and subjecting them to other scourges also ( Exodus 23:28 ). 3 . That he will drive out their enemies "by little and little" ( Exodus 23:30 ), not ceasing until he has destroyed them ( Exodus 23:23 ). 4 . That he will give them the entire... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:3

Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause . After the many precepts in favour of the poor, this injunction produces a sort of shock. But it is to be understood as simply forbidding any undue favouring of the poor because they are poor, and so as equivalent to the precept in Le Exodus 19:15 , "Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor." In courts of justice, strict justice is to be rendered, without any leaning either towards the rich, or towards the poor. To lean either... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 23:1-3

These four commands, addressed to the conscience, are illustrations of the ninth commandment, mainly in reference to the giving of evidence in legal causes. Compare 1 Kings 21:10; Acts 6:11.Exodus 23:2This verse might be more strictly rendered, “Thou shalt not follow the many to evil; neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause so as to incline after the many to pervert justice.”Exodus 23:3Countenance - Rather, show partiality to a man’s cause because he is poor (compare Leviticus 19:15).These... read more

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 23:1-3

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