Exodus 23:6

Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

Thou shalt not wrest {H5186} the judgment {H4941} of thy poor {H34} in his cause {H7379}.

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

You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.

Thou shalt not wrest the justice due to thy poor in his cause.

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 23:6 (KJV)

Exodus 23:6, "Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause," is a foundational verse within the Mosaic Law that underscores God's deep concern for justice, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society. It is part of a larger section (Exodus 23:1-9) that outlines principles for righteous conduct in legal matters, emphasizing fairness, truthfulness, and impartiality in the judicial system of ancient Israel.

Context

This verse is situated among various statutes concerning social justice and ethical behavior that God gave to Moses for the Israelites. These laws were designed to establish a just and compassionate society, reflecting God's own character. The immediate context includes commands against spreading false reports (Exodus 23:1), following the crowd to do evil (Exodus 23:2), and importantly, not showing partiality in judgment. It stands in contrast to the previous verse, Exodus 23:3, which warns against showing undue favor even to the poor, thereby emphasizing that justice must be truly blind, neither prejudiced against nor unduly biased towards anyone based on their social status.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Impartial Justice: The core message is the absolute necessity of fair and unbiased judgment. Judges and those in authority are forbidden from perverting or twisting the legal rights of the poor, who are often defenseless and easily exploited. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's demand for impartial justice for all.
  • Protection of the Vulnerable: God consistently demonstrates a special concern for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner. This verse highlights the divine mandate to protect those who lack power, influence, or resources to defend themselves in legal disputes. It's a call to actively ensure equity for the marginalized.
  • Ethical Conduct in Law: The law demands integrity from all participants in the legal process. It serves as a warning against corruption, bribery, and any form of prejudice that would deny a person their rightful due, especially when that person is already disadvantaged.
  • God's Character: This command reveals God's nature as a righteous and just God who champions the cause of the oppressed. His laws reflect His desire for His people to mirror His own fairness and compassion.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wrest" is natah (Χ ΦΈΧ˜ΦΈΧ”), which literally means "to stretch out," "to incline," or "to turn aside." In this context, it implies twisting, perverting, or distorting justice. It's about bending the truth or the law away from its straight and proper course to favor one party or disadvantage another. The word for "judgment" is mishpat (מִשְׁ׀ָּט), a comprehensive term referring to justice, legal right, verdict, or ordinance. It encompasses the entire legal process and its outcome, emphasizing that the poor person's legitimate claim or case must not be denied or corrupted.

Practical Application

Exodus 23:6 holds profound relevance for modern society:

  • Legal Systems: It serves as a timeless directive for judges, lawyers, and all involved in legal processes to uphold justice without prejudice, ensuring that the economically disadvantaged or marginalized receive fair hearings and just outcomes.
  • Advocacy for the Poor: It compels individuals and communities to advocate for and protect the rights of the poor and vulnerable, whether in legal, social, or economic spheres. This includes supporting initiatives that provide legal aid or combat systemic injustices.
  • Personal Integrity: Beyond formal legal settings, the principle applies to everyday interactions. We are called to act with fairness and integrity, refusing to take advantage of those in weaker positions or to allow bias to cloud our judgment in any situation. The New Testament also reiterates the importance of not showing partiality based on social status.
  • Social Responsibility: The verse reminds us that a just society is one that actively ensures the rights and dignity of all its members, particularly those who are often overlooked or oppressed, echoing sentiments found in Proverbs 22:22 and Isaiah 1:17.

In essence, Exodus 23:6 is a powerful call to embody God's justice, ensuring that the scales of justice are balanced for everyone, regardless of their standing.

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

  • 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.
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