Exodus 23:1

KJV

¶ Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not raise {H5375} a false {H7723} report {H8088}: put {H7896} not thine hand {H3027} with the wicked {H7563} to be an unrighteous {H2555} witness {H5707}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You are not to repeat false rumors; do not join hands with the wicked by offering perjured testimony.

Berean Standard Bible

“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt not take up a false report: put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 23:1 delivers a foundational command within the "Book of the Covenant," establishing a dual prohibition against the propagation of falsehood and complicity in unrighteous testimony. This statute underscores the vital importance of truthfulness and integrity, not only for safeguarding individual reputations and ensuring the impartiality of judicial processes but also for upholding the very fabric of justice and righteousness within the covenant community. It serves as a practical extension of the Ninth Commandment, emphasizing the active and passive responsibilities of every Israelite to speak and act in accordance with divine truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22–23:33), a detailed collection of civil, criminal, and ceremonial laws given by God to Israel immediately following the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Decalogue"). Having established the foundational moral principles, God now provides practical statutes that apply these principles to the daily life and social structures of the nascent nation. Exodus 23:1 directly elaborates on the spirit of the [Ninth Commandment](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment"), which prohibits bearing false witness, extending its scope beyond formal court settings to encompass all forms of damaging speech. It precedes further regulations concerning justice, impartiality, and care for the vulnerable (e.g., [Exodus 23:2-9](/exodus/23-2-9 "Exodus 23:2-9 - Laws of Justice and Mercy")), highlighting that truthfulness is a prerequisite for a fair legal system and a harmonious society.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, oral testimony carried immense weight, particularly in legal proceedings that often occurred publicly at the [city gate](/deuteronomy/21-19 "Deuteronomy 21:19 - Elders at the City Gate"), where elders served as judges. A person's reputation and social standing were inextricably linked, and false accusations or slander could lead to devastating consequences, including social ostracization, financial ruin, or even wrongful death. Given the absence of modern investigative forces, the integrity of witnesses was paramount to the administration of justice. The prohibition against "raising a false report" addressed the destructive power of informal gossip and rumor within the close-knit community, while the command against being an "unrighteous witness" directly targeted the corruption of formal legal processes. This law thus aimed to protect the innocent and ensure that justice, a core attribute of Yahweh, was faithfully reflected in the societal structures of His chosen people.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 23:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Justice and Righteousness**, emphasizing that God's character demands that His people administer justice fairly and truthfully, reflecting His own perfect standard. Closely related is the theme of **Truthfulness and Integrity**, establishing that honesty in speech and action is not merely a social convention but a divine imperative for a covenant community. The verse also underscores the **Power of Words**, recognizing their immense capacity to build up or tear down, to uphold justice or inflict harm. Finally, it speaks to the theme of **Community and Covenant Fidelity**, highlighting that the well-being and stability of Israel as God's people depended on each individual's commitment to these ethical standards, fostering trust and mutual respect within the covenant relationship (cf. [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Raise (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, this verb means "to lift," "to carry," or "to bear." In the context of "raising a false report," it signifies the active role of originating, propagating, or disseminating untrue information. It implies the burden or weight of a lie being carried and spread, emphasizing the responsibility of the speaker for the content they transmit, whether through casual gossip, malicious slander, or unfounded accusation.
* **False (Hebrew, _shâvᵉʼ'_):** From H7723, this word means "evil (as destructive)," "guile," "falsehood," or "vanity." When applied to a "report," it denotes information that is inherently untrue, deceptive, or empty of substance. It highlights the destructive nature of lies, which are not merely incorrect but actively harmful, undermining trust and causing ruin, whether literally or morally.
* **Unrighteous (Hebrew, _châmâç'_):** From H2555, this term signifies "violence," "wrong," "injustice," or "cruelty." When describing a witness, it indicates that the testimony is not merely mistaken but actively malicious, intended to pervert justice, inflict harm, or gain an unjust advantage. The word carries a strong connotation of active wrongdoing and oppression, marking such a witness as an agent of moral violence within the legal system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not raise a false report":** This initial prohibition is a broad command against originating, spreading, or giving currency to any information that is untrue. It covers both intentional fabrication and the careless dissemination of unverified rumors or gossip. The emphasis is on the individual's responsibility for the truthfulness of their words, recognizing the profound damage that irresponsible or malicious speech can inflict on reputations and social harmony. This command applies to both formal and informal contexts.
* **"put not thine hand with the wicked":** This clause warns against active complicity. The idiom "put thine hand with" signifies joining forces, collaborating, or aligning oneself with others in a common, often nefarious, action. Here, it specifically prohibits joining with "the wicked" (H7563, _râshâʻ_, meaning "morally wrong," "guilty," "ungodly") in their unrighteous deeds. It is not enough to merely refrain from initiating falsehood; one must also actively refuse to participate in, endorse, or facilitate the corrupt actions of others, particularly when those actions involve deception or injustice. This demands moral courage and a clear separation from those who operate outside the bounds of God's truth.
* **"to be an unrighteous witness":** This final phrase specifies the particular context of the complicity: bearing false or malicious testimony in a formal, typically legal, setting. An "unrighteous witness" (H5707, _ʻêd_, meaning "witness," combined with H2555, _châmâç_, meaning "unrighteous" or "violent") is one whose testimony is either fabricated, intentionally misleading, or given with malicious intent to pervert justice. This command directly protects the integrity of the judicial system, ensuring that verdicts are based on truth rather than deception, and highlights the severe consequences of corrupting a process designed to uphold righteousness and protect the innocent.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 23:1 employs several potent literary devices to convey its ethical imperative. The verse utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically a form of negative **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness") reinforces and elaborates upon the first ("Thou shalt not raise a false report"). While both prohibit falsehood, the latter clause narrows the focus to complicity in formal testimony, emphasizing active participation in injustice. The phrase "put not thine hand" is a vivid example of **Metonymy**, where a part (the hand, symbolizing action or participation) stands for the whole concept of active involvement or collaboration. This imagery makes the command against complicity concrete and impactful. Furthermore, the verse is characterized by direct **Legal Language** and a **Didactic Tone**, typical of the Book of the Covenant, directly issuing a command ("Thou shalt not...") that functions as both a moral imperative and a legal statute for the community. The direct address ("Thou") makes the prohibition personal and universally applicable to every individual within the covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 23:1 is profoundly rooted in the very character of God, who is truth itself and the ultimate source of perfect justice. His commands for His people to speak truthfully and act with unwavering integrity reflect His own nature, calling them to embody His righteousness in all their social interactions and legal proceedings. This verse establishes that truthfulness is not merely a social nicety or a pragmatic rule, but a fundamental pillar of a covenant community, essential for maintaining trust, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring that justice flows unimpeded. The prohibition against false witness safeguards the sanctity of human life and reputation, recognizing that words, whether spoken casually or formally, possess immense power to build up or tear down, to foster righteousness or perpetuate injustice. To violate this command is to act contrary to God's nature and to undermine the very foundations of the society He is building.

* [Proverbs 19:5](/proverbs/19-5 "Proverbs 19:5 - A False Witness Will Not Go Unpunished")
* [Leviticus 19:16](/leviticus/19-16 "Leviticus 19:16 - Do Not Go About Spreading Slander")
* [Deuteronomy 19:16-19](/deuteronomy/19-16-19 "Deuteronomy 19:16-19 - Punishment for a Malicious Witness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In our contemporary world, saturated with information and instant communication, the ancient command of Exodus 23:1 resonates with profound and urgent relevance. We are constantly barraged by reports, rumors, and opinions from countless sources, making the discernment of truth and the responsible use of our words more critical than ever. This verse calls us to cultivate a rigorous commitment to truthfulness in all spheres of life, from our most casual conversations to our professional interactions and our engagement with digital platforms. It challenges us not only to refrain from initiating falsehoods but also to actively resist the temptation to amplify or endorse unverified information, gossip, or malicious attacks, even if they align with our biases or are popular. Our integrity in communication reflects our commitment to God's character and our love for our neighbor, reminding us that our words possess immense power to either build up or tear down, to foster justice or perpetuate injustice within our communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most prone to sharing unverified information or participating in gossip, whether online or offline?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a habit of verifying information and discerning truth before I speak, share, or endorse it?**
* **Have I ever "put my hand with the wicked" by remaining silent, by passively consuming, or even by endorsing falsehoods when I knew the truth? What prevented me from acting differently, and what would it look like to act with more courage and integrity next time?**
* **How does my personal commitment to truthfulness in speech and action contribute to the overall health, trust, and justice of my community, be it my family, workplace, church, or broader social network?**

### FAQ

**What is the difference between "raising a false report" and being an "unrighteous witness"?**

Answer: While both involve the communication of falsehood, "raising a false report" (Hebrew: _nasa' sheqer_) refers to the broader act of originating or spreading any kind of lie, rumor, or unverified information, often informally through gossip or slander. It's about the general dissemination of untruth. Being an "unrighteous witness" (Hebrew: _ed chamas_), on the other hand, specifically refers to giving false or malicious testimony in a formal, typically legal, setting. This implies an active perversion of justice through one's sworn statement, often with violent or oppressive intent. The first part of [Exodus 23:1](/exodus/23-1 "Exodus 23:1 - Do Not Spread False Reports") is a general prohibition against spreading lies, while the second part is a specific warning against complicity in legal deceit, highlighting the severe consequences for the judicial system.

**Why is "putting thine hand with the wicked" a serious offense?**

Answer: "Putting thine hand with the wicked" signifies active complicity, collaboration, or alignment with those who intend to do wrong, particularly in the context of bearing false witness or perverting justice. This is a serious offense because it demonstrates a willingness to join forces with unrighteousness and participate in actions that harm others and undermine the very foundation of truth and justice in a community. It's not merely passive observation or inaction but active participation or endorsement of evil. Such complicity makes one equally culpable in the eyes of God's law, as it contributes to the corruption of the legal system and the oppression of the innocent, directly contradicting God's demand for His people to pursue justice (e.g., [Deuteronomy 16:20](/deuteronomy/16-20 "Deuteronomy 16:20 - Justice, and Only Justice, You Shall Pursue")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 23:1, with its stern command against falsehood and complicity in unrighteousness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely a speaker of truth, but the very embodiment of it, declaring, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). In stark contrast to the "father of lies" ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil, Father of Lies")), Jesus consistently exposed hypocrisy and challenged falsehood, even when it led to His suffering and death. His trial was a supreme example of "unrighteous witness," where false accusations and malicious testimony were levied against the innocent Lamb of God ([Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59-60 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")). Yet, through His perfect life of truth, His sacrificial death for sin, and His victorious resurrection, Christ established a new covenant where His followers are empowered by the Spirit of Truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")) to walk in integrity. Believers, as members of His body, are now called to "put away falsehood" and "speak the truth, each one to his neighbor" ([Ephesians 4:25](/ephesians/4-25 "Ephesians 4:25 - Put Away Falsehood and Speak Truth")), reflecting the character of the God who cannot lie ([Titus 1:2](/titus/1-2 "Titus 1:2 - God, Who Cannot Lie")). Thus, the ancient legal prohibition transforms into a spiritual imperative, fulfilled in Christ and lived out by those who bear His name, demonstrating His truth to a world still ensnared by deceit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 101:5

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Proverbs 19:5

¶ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall not escape.

Deuteronomy 19:16

If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him [that which is] wrong;

Deuteronomy 19:21

And thine eye shall not pity; [but] life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Exodus 20:16

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Matthew 26:59

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Matthew 26:61

And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.