Exodus 23:3

Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.

Neither shalt thou countenance {H1921} a poor {H1800} man in his cause {H7379}.

On the other hand, don't favor a person's lawsuit simply because he is poor.

And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.

neither shalt thou favor a poor man in his cause.

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22 - 23:33), a collection of civil and social laws given by God to Moses for the newly formed nation of Israel, immediately following the Ten Commandments. Specifically, Exodus 23:3 falls within a section (verses 1-9) that provides detailed instructions on maintaining integrity and fairness in legal proceedings and judicial matters. It emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and impartiality in the ancient Israelite court system, ensuring that justice is administered without prejudice.

Key Themes

  • Impartial Justice: The primary message is the absolute necessity of unbiased judgment. While other laws often emphasize compassion for the poor, this verse highlights that even a poor person's cause must be judged on its merits, not on pity or social status. Justice must be blind to external circumstances.
  • Equality Before the Law: God's law demands that all individuals, regardless of their economic standing, are treated equally under the law. Neither the rich nor the poor should receive preferential or discriminatory treatment in a court of law.
  • Integrity in Legal Proceedings: This command was crucial for establishing a just society in ancient Israel. It prevented judges and witnesses from allowing personal feelings or societal pressures to sway their decisions, ensuring the judicial system reflected God's own righteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause" uses "countenance" in an older sense meaning to show favor, support, or partiality. The underlying Hebrew word, often translated as "favor" or "respect," conveys the idea of showing special regard or treating someone differently based on their condition, rather than the truth of the matter. This command serves as a counterbalance to the general instruction to care for the poor, ensuring that compassion does not pervert justice.

Related Scriptures

This principle of impartiality is a cornerstone of biblical justice, echoed throughout the Old and New Testaments. It stands alongside commands like Leviticus 19:15, which states, "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour." Similarly, Deuteronomy 1:17 advises, "Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great..." In the New Testament, the apostle James strongly condemns showing partiality based on wealth or status, as seen in James 2:9.

For us today, this verse extends beyond formal courtrooms. It calls us to:

  • Be Impartial in All Decisions: Whether in business, leadership, or personal relationships, our judgments should be based on facts, truth, and righteousness, not on pity, social status, or personal bias.
  • Uphold Truth: We are to seek and uphold the truth, even when it is uncomfortable or goes against our sympathies.
  • Promote Fair Systems: This principle underpins the need for fair legal systems, honest reporting, and ethical conduct in all areas of life, reflecting God's character of perfect justice.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • James 3:17

    But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

  • Leviticus 19:15

    Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: [but] in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

  • Psalms 82:2

    How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

  • Psalms 82:3

    Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

  • Deuteronomy 1:17

    Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment [is] God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring [it] unto me, and I will hear it.
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