Proverbs 17:23

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 17:23 powerfully condemns the act of bribery and its devastating impact on justice. This verse exposes the clandestine nature of corruption, where a wicked individual secretly offers a "gift" with the explicit intent of twisting legal or moral judgments.

Context

The book of Proverbs is a collection of divine wisdom, offering practical guidance for living a righteous and discerning life. Throughout its chapters, it frequently contrasts the ways of the righteous with those of the wicked, highlighting the consequences of each path. Justice and integrity in societal structures are recurring themes, often juxtaposed with the dangers of deceit, partiality, and corruption. In ancient Israel, as in many societies, the perversion of justice through bribes was a significant threat to social order and divine law, which repeatedly condemned such practices. For example, the Law explicitly warned against it, stating that a bribe blinds the discerning and twists the words of the righteous, as seen in Exodus 23:8 and Deuteronomy 16:19.

Key Themes

  • Corruption of Justice: The central message is the subversion of fair and impartial judgment. The "gift" is not an act of generosity but a tool to manipulate outcomes, leading to injustice.
  • Secrecy of Wickedness: The phrase "taketh a gift out of the bosom" indicates a hidden, concealed act. The "bosom" (Hebrew: cheq) refers to the fold of a garment where one might secretly carry or receive something, emphasizing the stealthy and deceptive nature of the bribe.
  • Perversion of Truth: To "pervert the ways of judgment" (Hebrew: 'aqash mishpat) means to twist, distort, or make crooked what should be straight and righteous. It highlights the moral decay that occurs when truth and fairness are abandoned for personal gain.
  • Moral Decay of the Wicked: The verse attributes this action to a "wicked man," underscoring that such corruption stems from a fundamentally unrighteous character.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word for "gift" here is mattan (מַתָּן), which can refer to a legitimate present, but in this context, coupled with "out of the bosom" and "to pervert," it clearly functions as a bribe. This contrasts with other Hebrew words specifically for bribes (like shochad), suggesting a more subtle, perhaps initially disguised, form of corruption.
  • "Out of the bosom" (mi-cheq) vividly paints a picture of a secret, often illicit, exchange, emphasizing the clandestine nature of the transaction.
  • "Pervert" ('aqash - עָקַשׁ) means to twist, make crooked, or distort. "Judgment" (mishpat - מִשְׁפָּט) refers to justice, legal decisions, or righteous governance. Together, it describes the deliberate act of making what is right become wrong.

Practical Application

Proverbs 17:23 remains profoundly relevant in any age. It serves as a stark warning against the insidious nature of corruption in all its forms:

  • Personal Integrity: It calls believers to uphold personal integrity and resist the temptation to offer or accept bribes, whether in business, legal, or even social contexts. Our actions should always be transparent and align with righteousness, knowing that the Lord values righteousness and justice (Psalm 33:5).
  • Societal Justice: The verse reminds us of the constant need to safeguard the integrity of judicial and governmental systems. Societies thrive when justice is administered fairly and without prejudice, and they falter when it is bought and sold.
  • Ethical Conduct: Beyond formal legal settings, the principle applies to any situation where influence is exerted to gain an unfair advantage or distort truth. It encourages us to be people who seek to establish truth and fairness rather than undermine it.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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