Proverbs 17:23

KJV

¶ A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

KJV (with Strong's)

A wicked {H7563} man taketh {H3947} a gift {H7810} out of the bosom {H2436} to pervert {H5186} the ways {H734} of judgment {H4941}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From under a cloak a bad man takes a bribe to pervert the course of justice.

Berean Standard Bible

A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

American Standard Version

A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 17:23 delivers a stark condemnation of bribery, revealing the clandestine nature of corruption and its devastating impact on justice. It exposes how a morally corrupt individual secretly offers a "gift" with the explicit intent of twisting legal or ethical judgments, thereby perverting the very foundation of fairness and righteousness in society. This proverb serves as a timeless warning against the insidious power of illicit influence to undermine truth and integrity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 17 stands within a larger collection of Solomon's proverbs, particularly those offering practical wisdom for daily living and societal order. The book frequently contrasts the righteous and the wicked, outlining the consequences of their respective paths. This specific proverb is part of a series of warnings against various forms of moral corruption, including deceit, pride, and foolishness, all of which threaten the stability and well-being of the community. It directly follows a verse about the importance of a cheerful heart and precedes verses discussing the value of a wise servant and the dangers of contention, reinforcing the overarching theme of wise living versus folly.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, justice was administered primarily through local elders at the city gate, a public and communal setting. The integrity of this system was paramount for maintaining social order and reflecting God's character, as Yahweh himself is depicted as a God of justice. Bribery (שֹׁחַד, *shachad*) was explicitly and repeatedly forbidden in the Mosaic Law, underscoring its severe threat to the covenant community. Passages like [Exodus 23:8](/exodus/23-8 "Exodus 23:8 - Do not accept a bribe") and [Deuteronomy 16:19](/deuteronomy/16-19 "Deuteronomy 16:19 - Do not pervert justice") warned that bribes blind the discerning and pervert the words of the righteous, leading to widespread injustice and undermining the very fabric of society. The phrase "out of the bosom" (חֵיק, *chêyq*) suggests a hidden, personal, and often illicit exchange, reflecting the clandestine nature of such transactions in a culture where garments often had folds used as pockets.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 17:23 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs. It highlights the **Corruption of Justice**, showing how external influence can subvert fair and impartial judgment, turning what is right into wrong. It underscores the **Moral Character of the Wicked**, attributing such corrupt acts to an inherently unrighteous individual, emphasizing that actions stem from inner disposition. The proverb also touches upon the **Insidious Nature of Sin**, particularly the secrecy and deceptiveness involved in bribery, as indicated by the "bosom" imagery. This aligns with the broader proverbs that commend transparency and condemn hidden evil, as seen in [Proverbs 10:9](/proverbs/10-9 "Proverbs 10:9 - He who walks in integrity walks securely"). Ultimately, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Retribution and Consequences**, implying that such perversion of justice will not go unpunished in God's moral order.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** This term (H7563) describes someone who is morally wrong, an actively bad person, or ungodly. It signifies a character fundamentally alienated from God's righteousness and prone to actions that violate divine and human moral standards. In this context, it identifies the agent of corruption as one whose inner disposition is aligned with evil, making them willing to pervert justice for personal gain.
* **Gift (Hebrew, _shachad'_):** While literally meaning a donation or present (H7810), in this context, coupled with the intent "to pervert the ways of judgment," it unequivocally refers to a **bribe**. It is a venal offering, given not out of generosity but with the corrupt purpose of influencing a decision or outcome, thereby distorting fairness and integrity.
* **Pervert (Hebrew, _nâṭâh'_):** This primitive root (H5186) means to stretch, spread out, or, by implication, to bend away, including moral deflection. When applied to "judgment," it signifies twisting, distorting, or making crooked what should be straight, righteous, and impartial. It denotes a deliberate act of subverting truth and justice, leading to an unfair or unrighteous outcome.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom":** This clause introduces the perpetrator as a "wicked man," immediately establishing his moral depravity. The act of "taking a gift out of the bosom" vividly portrays the clandestine and secretive nature of the transaction. The "bosom" (חֵיק, *chêyq*) refers to the fold of a garment, a hidden place where one might conceal something or from which one might discreetly retrieve an item. This imagery emphasizes the stealth and underhandedness of the bribe, highlighting that such corruption often operates in the shadows, avoiding public scrutiny.
* **"to pervert the ways of judgment":** This second clause reveals the malevolent purpose behind the "gift." The phrase "to pervert" (נָטָה, *nâṭâh*) signifies twisting, distorting, or making crooked. "The ways of judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט, *mishpâṭ*) refers to the established paths of justice, righteousness, and legal decisions. The wicked man's intention is not merely to gain an advantage but to fundamentally corrupt the process, bending justice away from its true course and ensuring an outcome that is unfair, biased, or unlawful, thereby undermining the very foundation of societal order and divine law.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 17:23 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Metonymy**, where "bosom" (חֵיק, *chêyq*) stands in for the hidden, intimate, and often secretive nature of the transaction, implying a lack of transparency and an underhanded motive. The phrase "pervert the ways of judgment" uses **Figurative Language** to describe the distortion of justice, likening it to making a straight path crooked. This vivid imagery emphasizes the moral bending and twisting of what should be upright and impartial. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, implicitly contrasting the "wicked man" and his corrupt actions with the ideal of righteous judgment and integrity, a common rhetorical strategy in Proverbs to highlight the two paths of life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 17:23 profoundly articulates a core biblical principle: the absolute necessity of justice and the severe condemnation of anything that corrupts it. The perversion of judgment through bribery is not merely a social ill but a theological offense, as it directly contradicts God's own character, who is righteous and just in all His ways. This verse underscores that true justice must be impartial, accessible to all, and untainted by personal gain or influence. It reveals that the heart of the wicked is bent on self-interest, even at the expense of truth and equity, thereby demonstrating a fundamental rebellion against divine order. The "gift" in this context is not an act of generosity but an instrument of sin, designed to manipulate and destroy the very fabric of righteousness that God desires for His people.

* [Exodus 23:8](/exodus/23-8 "Exodus 23:8 - Do not accept a bribe")
* [Deuteronomy 16:19](/deuteronomy/16-19 "Deuteronomy 16:19 - Do not pervert justice")
* [Isaiah 1:23](/isaiah/1-23 "Isaiah 1:23 - Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 17:23 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting the persistent human temptation to corrupt justice for personal gain and warning us against its devastating consequences. In an age where influence and power can often be bought, this proverb calls us to a higher standard of integrity, both personally and corporately. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any inclination to "take a gift out of the bosom"—whether a literal bribe, an unfair advantage, or even a subtle manipulation—that might pervert truth or fairness in our interactions. We are called to be agents of righteousness, upholding justice in our spheres of influence, resisting the allure of illicit gain, and speaking out against corruption, knowing that true societal well-being hinges on the unwavering commitment to equity and truth. This includes advocating for transparent systems and holding leaders accountable, ensuring that the "ways of judgment" remain straight and untainted.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle ways might I be tempted to "pervert the ways of judgment" in my own life or work, even without a literal "bribe"?**
* **How can I actively contribute to upholding justice and integrity in my community, workplace, or family, in light of this proverb?**
* **What does "taking a gift out of the bosom" reveal about the nature of sin and its preference for secrecy? How does this apply to my own struggles with temptation?**

### FAQ

**What does "taketh a gift out of the bosom" mean literally and figuratively?**

Answer: Literally, "taketh a gift out of the bosom" refers to the act of a person reaching into the fold of their garment (the "bosom" or "lap," Hebrew: *chêyq*), which often served as a pocket or a hidden carrying place, to either retrieve or receive a "gift" (Hebrew: *shachad*). Figuratively, this imagery powerfully conveys the clandestine, secretive, and underhanded nature of the transaction. It implies that the "gift" is not an open, legitimate offering but a hidden payment, a bribe, given or received in secret to avoid public scrutiny and to facilitate a corrupt act. This highlights the deceptive and illicit character of the exchange, emphasizing that corruption thrives in the shadows, away from the light of truth and accountability, as referenced in [John 3:20](/john/3-20 "John 3:20 - Everyone who does evil hates the light").

**Why is bribery considered so wicked in the Bible?**

Answer: Bribery is considered profoundly wicked in the Bible because it directly attacks the very foundation of justice, which is a core attribute of God Himself. God is portrayed as perfectly just and righteous, and He commands His people to reflect His character in their legal and social systems. Bribery perverts judgment (as seen in [Deuteronomy 16:19](/deuteronomy/16-19 "Deuteronomy 16:19 - Do not pervert justice")), blinds the eyes of the discerning ([Exodus 23:8](/exodus/23-8 "Exodus 23:8 - Do not accept a bribe")), and leads to the oppression of the innocent and the poor, who cannot afford to pay bribes. It undermines social order, creates inequality, and ultimately brings God's judgment upon a nation or individual. Prophets like Isaiah and Amos frequently condemned leaders and judges who accepted bribes, equating it with grave sin and a departure from the covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 17:23, with its stark warning against the perversion of justice through bribery, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. While the proverb exposes the depth of human corruption and the insidious nature of sin, Christ embodies perfect righteousness and absolute justice. He is the one who never "took a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment," but rather, in His earthly ministry, consistently upheld truth, defended the oppressed, and condemned hypocrisy and injustice, as seen in His cleansing of the temple ([Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). On the cross, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice, not to pervert justice, but to satisfy it perfectly, bearing the judgment for humanity's sin so that those who believe might be declared righteous ([Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). He is the righteous judge who will one day return to establish perfect justice, where there will be no more corruption or perversion of truth ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God has appointed a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed")). Thus, in Christ, the "ways of judgment" are not merely restored but eternally perfected, offering hope for a world free from the wickedness of bribery and all forms of injustice.

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

Micah 7:3

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge [asketh] for a reward; and the great [man], he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

Proverbs 17:8

¶ A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

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.

Exodus 23:8

And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

Isaiah 1:23

Thy princes [are] rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Proverbs 18:16

¶ A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

1 Samuel 8:3

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.