Exodus 23:7
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This chapter continues and concludes the acts that passed in the first session (if I may so call it) upon mount Sinai. Here are, I. Some laws of universal obligation, relating especially to the ninth commandment, against bearing false witness (Exo 23:1), and giving false judgment (Exo 23:2, Exo 23:3, Exo 23:6-8). Also a law of doing good to our enemies (Exo 23:4, Exo 23:5), and not oppressing strangers (Exo 23:9). II. Some laws peculiar to the Jews. The sabbatical year (Exo 23:10, Exo 23:11), the three annual feasts (Exo 23:14-17), with some laws pertaining thereto. III. Gracious promises of the completing of the mercy God had begun for them, upon condition of their obedience. That God would conduct them through the wilderness (Exo 23:20-24), that he would prosper all they had (Exo 23:25, Exo 23:26), that he would put them in possession of Canaan (Exo 23:27-31). But they must not mingle themselves with the nations (Exo 23:32, Exo 23:33).
Open source ↗23:7 God’s character is the motive for righteous behavior (see 22:22-24, 27).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.
‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
Abstain from every form of evil.
You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.
You shall not murder.
He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil—