Exodus 23:6

6 You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.

Exodus 23:6 Meaning and 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, as being of the same flesh and blood with them, of the same nation and religion; and who were particularly committed to their care and protection under God, who is the Judge and protector of the poor, of the widow and the fatherless.

Exodus 23:6 In-Context

4 If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.

5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

6 You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.

7 Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.

8 Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.