Exodus 23:6

6 "Do not deny anyone justice in his lawsuit simply because he is poor.

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 come upon your enemy's ox or donkey straying, you must return it to him

5 If you see the donkey which belongs to someone who hates you lying down helpless under its load, you are not to pass him by but to go and help him free it.

6 "Do not deny anyone justice in his lawsuit simply because he is poor.

7 Keep away from fraud, and do not cause the death of the innocent and righteous; for I will not justify the wicked.

8 You are not to receive a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clearsighted and subverts the cause of the righteous.