Laws About Justice
Exodus 23:1-9
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Exo.23.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תשא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שוא: ADJ,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- תשת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- עם: PREP
- רשע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להית: VERB,qal,inf
- עד: PREP
- חמס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 19:16 (verbal): Prohibits slander and spreading false reports among the people—language and intent closely parallel Exod. 23:1's ban on bearing false witness.
- Deuteronomy 19:16-19 (structural): Gives the legal procedure and penalties for false witnesses; continues and elaborates the Torah's injunctions against bearing false testimony found in Exod. 23:1.
- Exodus 23:7 (verbal): Within the same chapter a closely related injunction: 'Keep far from a false charge'—reiterates the prohibition and underscores protection of the innocent.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 (thematic): Lists 'a false witness who breathes out lies' among the things the Lord hates, echoing the moral condemnation of false testimony in Exod. 23:1.
- Psalm 101:5 (thematic): The royal vow to exclude those who practice deceit and falsehood reflects the ethical ideal behind the prohibition of false reports in Exod. 23:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not bear a false report. You shall not put your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.
- You shall not bear a false report; you shall not join your hand with a wicked person to be a malicious witness.
Exo.23.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לרעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- תענה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- לנטת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- אחרי: PREP
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- להטת: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf
Parallels
- Psalm 1:1 (verbal): Both forbid walking in the counsel of the wicked or joining the multitude in wrongdoing — a close verbal and thematic parallel to 'do not follow a multitude to do evil.'
- Proverbs 1:10-11 (thematic): A paternal warning not to consent when sinners entice one to join their company and schemes — parallels the admonition against following the crowd into evil.
- Leviticus 19:15 (thematic): Commands impartial and righteous judgment; connects with Exodus 23:2's prohibition on perverting justice by swaying with the many.
- Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (thematic): Directives for judges to hear small and great alike and not show partiality — reinforces Exodus' injunction against following public pressure in legal decisions.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 (thematic): New Testament warning that bad company corrupts good character, echoing the principle not to follow the many into wrongdoing.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not follow the many to do evil, and you shall not testify in a dispute so as to turn aside, following the many, to pervert justice.
- You shall not follow the many to do evil, and you shall not testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after the many, to pervert justice.
Exo.23.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ודל: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תהדר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בריבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Lev.19.15 (verbal): Directly forbids partiality in judgment — explicitly commands not to show favor to poor or respect to the great, echoing the language and legal concern of Exod 23:3.
- Deut.1.16-17 (structural): Moses’ instructions to judges to hear small and great alike and not show partiality mirror the judicial-procedural context and impartiality required in Exod 23:3.
- Deut.16.19 (thematic): Prohibits perverting justice and taking bribes; emphasizes impartial adjudication and that justice must not be distorted for persons of any status, a theme parallel to Exod 23:3.
- Ps.82.3 (thematic): Calls on judges/officials to defend the weak and needy and rescue the poor and oppressed, reflecting the social-justice concern behind the injunction against partiality to the poor.
- Jer.22.3 (thematic): A prophetic exhortation to do justice, deliver the oppressed, and not wrong the stranger, fatherless, or widow — extends the biblical demand for fair treatment of vulnerable parties related to Exod 23:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- And a poor man you shall not favor in his dispute.
- And you shall not show deference to the poor in his dispute.
Exo.23.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- תפגע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- שור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss,2,m,sg
- או: CONJ
- חמרו: NOUN,m,sg,poss3ms
- תעה: VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg
- השב: VERB,hif,imp,2,m,sg
- תשיבנו: VERB,hiph,impf,2,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.22.1-4 (verbal): Repeats and expands the same law about finding and returning lost livestock (ox, sheep, ass); very close wording and obligation not to ignore a neighbor's stray animal.
- Exod.23.5 (structural): Adjacent law in the same legal corpus requiring aid for an animal in distress even if it belongs to one who hates you; shows the broader principle of assisting an enemy's animal.
- Prov.25.21-22 (thematic): Commands kindness to an enemy (feed if hungry, give drink if thirsty); parallels the ethic of restoring and caring for another's property/animal.
- Rom.12.20 (thematic): Paulic echo of Proverbs (and of the ethical impulse in Exodus) urging benevolence toward enemies — a New Testament application of returning aid rather than revenge.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you encounter your enemy’s ox or his donkey straying, you shall surely return it to him.
- When you encounter your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely return it to him.
Exo.23.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- תראה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- חמור: PNOUN,m,sg
- שנאך: NOUN,m,sg,suff2ms
- רבץ: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- תחת: PREP
- משאו: NOUN,m,sg,suff3ms
- וחדלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- מעזב: VERB,qal,ptc,NA,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- עזב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תעזב: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.23:4 (verbal): Closely paired legal instruction: 23:4 commands returning a stray ox or donkey of an enemy; 23:5 gives the parallel case of a beast fallen under its burden—shared vocabulary and concern for aiding animals even of an enemy.
- Deut.22:1-4 (structural): Repeats and expands the same legal obligation found in Exodus: do not ignore a neighbor's stray or burdened beast but return it/help lift the load, showing the law’s consistency across books.
- Prov.25:21 (verbal): If your enemy is hungry give him bread (and if thirsty give water) — a parallel proverb urging benevolent aid to enemies in need, analogous in ethical intent to helping an enemy’s animal.
- Rom.12:20 (quotation): Paul cites Proverbs 25:21–22 (feed your enemy) to instruct Christian conduct toward enemies; echoes Exodus’ concern that one must assist even those who oppose you.
- Luke 6:27-31 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching to love enemies and do good to those who hate you parallels the principle behind Exodus 23:5—active assistance to those who are hostile rather than vindictive neglect.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you see the donkey of the one who hates you lying under its burden, you shall not hold back from helping him; you shall surely help with him.
- When you see the donkey of the one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping him—you shall surely help with him.
Exo.23.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תטה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבינך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m,sg
- בריבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.16.19 (verbal): Repeats the prohibition against perverting justice in court and adds warnings against partiality and bribery—same judicial ethic as Exodus 23:6.
- Lev.19.15 (verbal): Commands impartiality in judgment—'do not pervert justice; show no partiality'—a close verbal/legal parallel to Exodus 23:6.
- Deut.24.17 (verbal): Forbids depriving the foreigner or orphan of justice, echoing Exodus' concern for protecting the vulnerable in legal disputes.
- Ps.82.3 (thematic): Calls for defending the weak and fatherless and upholding the rights of the afflicted—the same social-justice concern behind Exodus 23:6.
- Isa.1.17 (thematic): Urges learning to do good by seeking justice, rescuing the oppressed, and defending orphans—a prophetic restatement of the duty reflected in Exodus 23:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not pervert the justice due your poor in his dispute.
- You shall not pervert the justice due your needy in his dispute.
Exo.23.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- שקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תרחק: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ונקי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וצדיק: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- תהרג: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- אצדיק: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- רשע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 23:1 (verbal): Same chapter/legal context — both prohibit spreading false reports and false matters; closely related wording and concern for truthful testimony.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 (thematic): Legal rule about witness testimony — limits reliance on single/false testimony and protects against wrongful conviction of the innocent.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 (verbal): Lists things the Lord hates, including 'a false witness who breathes out lies' and 'hands that shed innocent blood,' echoing both false testimony and the protection of the innocent.
- Leviticus 19:16 (thematic): Prohibition against talebearing/slandering and the duty not to stand by when a neighbor's life is endangered — related concerns about false reports and harming the innocent.
- Isaiah 59:3-4 (thematic): Prophetic indictment linking defiled hands, swift shedding of innocent blood, and false testimony — thematically connects false speech and violence against the innocent.
Alternative generated candidates
- From a false matter keep far, and the innocent and the righteous you shall not put to death, for I will not acquit the wicked.
- You shall keep far from a false matter, and you shall not put to death the innocent and the righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.
Exo.23.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושחד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תקח: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- השחד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יעור: VERB,piel,impf,3,m,sg
- פקחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויסלף: CONJ+VERB,piel,impf,3,m,sg
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- צדיקים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deut.16.19 (quotation): Direct repetition of the law prohibiting bribes; similar wording that bribes pervert/judge and distort justice.
- Prov.17.23 (verbal): Speaks of accepting a bribe to pervert the ways of justice—language and moral point parallel to bribes 'blinding' and 'perverting' the righteous' words.
- Prov.29.4 (thematic): Links governance and justice with bribery—rulers who seek bribes undermine and destroy the stability of the land, echoing Exodus' concern about corrupted judgment.
- Isa.1.23 (thematic): Accuses officials of loving bribes and forsaking justice for the vulnerable; thematically parallels Exodus' warning that bribes corrupt judgment and harm the righteous.
- Ezek.22.12 (thematic): Condemns leaders who take bribes to shed blood and pervert justice—an extended prophetic example of the social and moral consequences of bribery noted in Exodus.
Alternative generated candidates
- And a bribe you shall not take, for the bribe blinds the clear-sighted and twists the words of the righteous.
- And you shall not take a bribe, for the bribe blinds the clear-sighted and twists the words of the righteous.
Exo.23.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תלחץ: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- ידעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגר: NOUN,f,sg,def,prop
- כי: CONJ
- גרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הייתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exod.22:21 (verbal): Directly parallel law forbidding mistreatment of the stranger/sojourner; uses the same rationale that Israel were sojourners in Egypt.
- Lev.19:33-34 (verbal): Commands hospitality and love toward the stranger, explicitly grounding the command in Israel's experience as strangers in Egypt.
- Deut.10:19 (verbal): Repeats the injunction to love the sojourner and gives the identical reason: 'for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.'
- Ps.146:9 (thematic): Affirms God's care for sojourners and links divine concern to social justice for the vulnerable, echoing the Exodus command to protect strangers.
Alternative generated candidates
- And a sojourner you shall not oppress; for you know the soul of the sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
- And you shall not oppress a sojourner; you yourselves know the soul of the sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
You shall not bear a false report; do not join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.
You shall not follow the many to do evil, and you shall not testify in a lawsuit so as to side with the many, to pervert justice. And you shall not show favor to a poor man in his lawsuit.
If you encounter your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering, you shall surely return it to him.
If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its load, and you would hold back from helping him, you shall surely help him with it.
You shall not pervert the justice due your needy in his lawsuit.
Keep far from a false charge, and do not put to death the innocent and the righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. And you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and twists the words of the righteous. And you shall not oppress a sojourner; you yourselves know the experience of the sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.