Exodus 23:1-3

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

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:1

The ninth commandment is here expanded and developed. Thou shalt not raise a false report , forbids the origination of a calumny; the other clause prohibits the joining with others in spreading one. Both clauses have a special reference to bearing witness in a court, but neither would seem to be confined to it. 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

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