King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Do not deny anyone justice in his lawsuit simply because he is poor.
Berean Standard Bible:
You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt not wrest the justice due to thy poor in his cause.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt not wrest{H5186} the judgment{H4941} of thy poor{H34} in his cause{H7379}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Malachi 3:5
- And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Deuteronomy 16:19
- Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Ecclesiastes 5:8
- If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for [he that is] higher than the highest regardeth; and [there be] higher than they.
Exodus 23:2
- Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:
Exodus 23:3
- Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
Jeremiah 5:28
- They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
Deuteronomy 27:19
- Cursed [be] he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 23:6
Exodus 23:6, "Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause," is part of a larger section of the book known as the Covenant Code, which outlines various laws and ethical instructions given by God to the Israelites shortly after their exodus from Egypt. This particular verse speaks to the administration of justice within the community, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment for the poor and disadvantaged.
In its historical context, ancient Israelite society was largely agrarian and stratified, with the potential for significant power imbalances between the wealthy and the poor. The verse serves as a divine command to uphold justice without prejudice or favoritism, ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of society receive a fair hearing in legal matters. It reflects a broader biblical theme of concern for the marginalized and a call for impartiality in the justice system.
The command not to "wrest the judgment" of the poor implies that judges or those in positions of authority are to refrain from twisting or distorting the law to the detriment of the poor person's case. This directive is rooted in the belief that justice should be blind to economic status and that the law should protect all individuals equally, particularly those who are least able to protect themselves. The verse underscores the ethical imperative to act justly and to safeguard the rights of the less fortunate, a principle that resonates with modern concepts of social justice and equality before the law.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5186
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָטָה
Transliteration: nâṭâh
Pronunciation: naw-taw'
Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. - Strong's Number: H4941
There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
Transliteration: mishpâṭ
Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. - Strong's Number: H34
There are 4910 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶבְיוֹן
Transliteration: ʼebyôwn
Pronunciation: eb-yone'
Description: from אָבָה, in the sense of want (especially in feeling); destitute; beggar, needy, poor (man). - Strong's Number: H7379
There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִיב
Transliteration: rîyb
Pronunciation: reeb
Description: or רִב; from רִיב; a contest (personal or legal); [phrase] adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading, strife, strive(-ing), suit.