Deuteronomy 16 19

Deuteronomy 16:19 kjv

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.

Deuteronomy 16:19 nkjv

You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.

Deuteronomy 16:19 niv

Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.

Deuteronomy 16:19 esv

You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous.

Deuteronomy 16:19 nlt

You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly.

Deuteronomy 16 verses

Deuteronomy 16 19 Meaning

Deuteronomy 16:19 commands strict adherence to justice in all judicial matters, specifically prohibiting three core actions that corrupt the legal system and societal fairness: perverting justice, showing partiality, and accepting bribes. The verse concludes by stating the reason for these prohibitions: bribes inherently distort perception, even among those considered wise, and warp the testimony or verdicts of those who are meant to uphold righteousness. It is a foundational principle for ensuring a righteous and equitable community under God's law.

Deuteronomy 16 19 Context

Deuteronomy 16 falls within the section of the book that reiterates and expounds upon the Mosaic Law given at Mount Sinai, preparing the Israelites for their life in the Promised Land. This chapter specifically details the three annual pilgrimage feasts – Passover (vv. 1-8), Weeks (vv. 9-12), and Booths (vv. 13-17) – where all Israelite males were to appear before the Lord. Immediately following instructions regarding worship and giving, Moses shifts to the critical civic and spiritual foundation of a righteous society: the administration of justice. Verses 18-20 introduce the requirement to appoint judges and officers in every town to "judge the people with righteous judgment." Verse 19 serves as a crucial ethical guideline for these appointed officials, directly prohibiting practices that would undermine the very justice they are called to administer. The preceding call to gather and rejoice before God is intrinsically linked to the subsequent demand for ethical and impartial judgment, showing that true worship leads to righteous living and governance within the community.

Deuteronomy 16 19 Word analysis

• You shall not pervert justice (לֹא־תַטֶּה מִשְׁפָּט, lo’ tateh mishpat):

  • Pervert (תַטֶּה, tateh): From the root נטה (naṭah), meaning "to turn aside," "bend," "stretch out." Here, it signifies to deviate from what is straight or right, to distort, to twist. It implies actively turning judgment away from truth and fairness. It's a proactive corruption.
  • Justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): Refers to judgment, decision, a legal case, what is just or right. It encompasses both the act of judging and the standard of righteousness by which judgment is made. This word is central to God's character and Israel's covenant obligations, highlighting the expectation that divine righteousness should be reflected in human governance. It means that the legal decision, the outcome, must be fair and right.
  • Significance: This initial prohibition sets the overarching standard. Justice must not be deflected or altered from its proper course. It applies to any deviation, subtle or overt, that results in an unfair outcome.

• you shall not show partiality (וְלֹא־תַכִּיר פָּנִים, velo’-takkir panim):

  • Show partiality (תַכִּיר פָּנִים, takkir panim): Literally, "to recognize faces" or "to lift up faces." It means to act with favoritism, to show preference based on a person's identity, status, wealth, or power rather than the merits of the case. It stands in direct opposition to judging based purely on the facts and the law. This emphasizes not judging based on who someone is, but on what is true and right.
  • Significance: This prohibits discrimination, whether favoring the rich, the powerful, family, or even the poor out of misplaced sympathy. God Himself is presented as showing no partiality (Deut 10:17, Rom 2:11), setting a divine example for judges. True justice disregards social standing.

• nor take a bribe (וְלֹא־תִקַּח שֹׁחַד, velo’-tiqqah shokhad):

  • Take (תִקַּח, tiqqah): From the root לקח (laqaḥ), "to take," "to receive." This is an active acceptance.
  • Bribe (שֹׁחַד, shokhad): A gift given to influence judgment or action. It can imply a payment that blinds one to justice, corrupts, or perverts. Even if initially offered as a gift, if it distorts judgment, it functions as a shokhad. It's distinguished from general generosity; its essence is its power to corrupt.
  • Significance: This is the most explicit prohibition, recognizing the direct and powerful corrosive effect of financial inducement. It acknowledges the universal temptation that even good people face.

• for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise (כִּי הַשֹּׁחַד יְעַוֵּר עֵינֵי חֲכָמִים, ki ha-shokhad ye’awwer eney chakhamim):

  • Blinds (יְעַוֵּר, ye’awwer): From the root עוּר (ʿawwar), "to make blind," "to put out eyes." This is not just physical blindness but intellectual and moral incapacitation. The bribe obstructs clear moral vision. It's an internal, psychological corruption.
  • Wise (חֲכָמִים, chakhamim): Refers to those who possess wisdom, discretion, discernment, skill, or learning. In ancient Israel, this could refer to those designated as judges, elders, or anyone expected to possess keen judgment.
  • Significance: This powerful simile explains why the prohibition against bribery is so vital. A bribe distorts one's ability to see and understand truth, regardless of their inherent wisdom or previous uprightness. It compromises the very faculty needed for righteous judgment. Even those assumed to be intellectually and morally discerning are not immune to its corrupting influence. This points to human fallibility.

• and twists the words of the righteous (וִיסַלֵּף דִּבְרֵי־צֶדֶק, viysalleph divrey-tsedeq):

  • Twists (וִיסַלֵּף, viysalleph): From the root סלף (salaph), meaning "to pervert," "to make crooked," "to distort." Similar to "pervert" (tateh), but perhaps emphasizing the internal distortion that then manifests externally in speech or judgment. It refers to bending what is straight and truthful.
  • Words (דִּבְרֵי, divrey): Can refer to words spoken, declarations, legal pronouncements, testimonies, or even the legal cases themselves.
  • Righteous (צֶדֶק, tsedeq): Rightness, righteousness, justice, equity. It describes the upright, innocent party or the very principles of justice itself.
  • Significance: A bribe can cause a judge (or witness) to misinterpret or misrepresent the facts of a case, to twist an otherwise righteous testimony, or to deliver an unjust verdict. This phrase highlights the outcome: the integrity of judgment is utterly compromised. Even true words, which should lead to a righteous outcome, become distorted when influenced by bribery. It implies that the result of judgment is corrupted.

Deuteronomy 16 19 Bonus section

• Divine Foundation of Justice: The emphasis on pure justice throughout Deuteronomy (and the Torah) reinforces the concept that justice is not merely a human convention but a reflection of God's own character (mishpat and tsedeq are attributes of God). To pervert justice is, therefore, an affront to God.
• Preventative Measure: This verse is a proactive measure against corruption. Rather than reacting to injustice after it has occurred, it seeks to establish a judicial system founded on preventative ethical guidelines for those in authority.
• Societal Stability: An equitable justice system is portrayed as essential for the well-being and stability of the entire Israelite community. When justice is corrupted, chaos and oppression thrive, leading to societal decay. Conversely, a land built on righteousness prospers (Prov 29:4).
• Broad Application: While primarily directed at judges and legal officials, the principles of avoiding perversion, partiality, and bribery extend to anyone in a position of authority or decision-making, including leaders, elders, parents, and even individuals in their daily interactions.
• Spiritual Blindness: The imagery of a bribe blinding the wise extends beyond legal matters to spiritual and moral discernment. Material gain or worldly allure can spiritually blind believers, preventing them from discerning God's truth or upholding His righteous standards in their lives.
• Polemic against Paganism: In contrast to surrounding nations where rulers and judges were often open to bribery and favoritism, Israel's legal system, ordained by Yahweh, demanded radical ethical purity. This served as a polemic, presenting a distinct moral order far superior to that of the corrupt judicial systems of other nations.

Deuteronomy 16 19 Commentary

Deuteronomy 16:19 presents a stern, uncompromising ethical mandate foundational to Israel's judiciary and its very social fabric. It's a tripartite prohibition targeting distinct yet interconnected forms of corruption. "You shall not pervert justice" sets the general ethical standard, ensuring that all rulings conform to what is right and true according to God's law. This prohibits active manipulation of facts or procedures to arrive at an unjust outcome. "You shall not show partiality" addresses prejudice and favoritism, recognizing that societal hierarchy or personal connections should never sway a judge's decision. Justice must be blind to external appearances and personal advantage, treating all equally under the law, whether rich or poor, mighty or weak. This reflects God's own character of impartial judgment.

The third prohibition, "nor take a bribe," is immediately followed by its rationale, highlighting its immense destructive power: "for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." This isn't merely a pragmatic warning; it's a profound theological insight into human depravity. It acknowledges that even individuals endowed with wisdom, insight, and moral uprightness are vulnerable to the subtle, corrosive influence of a bribe. A bribe doesn't just encourage conscious malfeasance; it literally warps perception and understanding, making it impossible to see truth clearly and articulate what is truly just. The promise of gain dulls the moral compass and distorts the clarity of mind, leading otherwise wise people to make foolish and unjust decisions. This is a crucial understanding that has transcended time: corruption isn't just about bad people, it's about the systemic failure that entrenches itself when personal gain overtakes the pursuit of truth and fairness. This verse serves as a perpetual warning against compromise and reminds us that true justice must flow from integrity, unclouded by self-interest.