Exodus 23:6

6 "Do not deny justice to a poor person when he appears in court. ¹

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 happen to see your enemy's cow or donkey running loose, take it back to him.

5 If his donkey has fallen under its load, help him get the donkey to its feet again; don't just walk off.

6 "Do not deny justice to a poor person when he appears in court.

7 Do not make false accusations, and do not put an innocent person to death, for I will condemn anyone who does such an evil thing.

8 Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.

Cross References

• 1. 23.6-8Leviticus 19.15;Deuteronomy 16.19.