Exodus 22:28 kjv
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
Exodus 22:28 nkjv
"You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
Exodus 22:28 niv
"Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
Exodus 22:28 esv
"You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
Exodus 22:28 nlt
"You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.
Exodus 22 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 20:7 | "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain..." | Commandment against dishonoring God's name. |
| Lev 19:32 | "You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man..." | Respect for elders, implicit for authority. |
| Lev 24:15-16 | "...whoever curses his God shall bear his sin... Blasphemer... shall be put to death..." | Punishment for blasphemy and cursing God. |
| Deut 5:11 | "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain..." | Reiteration of the third commandment. |
| Deut 17:10-12 | "...not depart from the word... person who acts presumptuously... shall die..." | Submission to appointed judges and priests. |
| 1 Sam 8:7 | "...they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king..." | Rejection of rulers is rejection of God. |
| 1 Chr 16:22 | "...Touch not My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm." | God protects His appointed ones. |
| Prov 14:31 | "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker..." | Actions against the vulnerable insult God. |
| Prov 24:21 | "My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise," | Honor for both divine and earthly authority. |
| Eccles 10:20 | "Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich..." | Prohibits even private negative thoughts/words against rulers. |
| Matt 22:21 | "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." | Respect for secular authority alongside God. |
| Acts 23:5 | "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" | Paul quotes this verse in his defense. |
| Rom 13:1-2 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities... resistance to God's ordinance." | Governing authorities are ordained by God. |
| Rom 13:7 | "Pay to all what is owed to them... respect to whom respect is owed..." | Due respect and honor to authorities. |
| Titus 3:1 | "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient..." | Christian duty to obey governing authorities. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-14 | "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution..." | Submission to human authority for the Lord's sake. |
| 1 Pet 2:17 | "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." | Command to honor both God and human leaders. |
| Jude 1:8 | "Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority..." | Warning against those who reject authority. |
| Jude 1:9 | "But when Michael the archangel contended with the devil and disputed about the body of Moses..." | Even angels do not revile dignities. |
| Ps 82:1 | "God stands in the divine assembly; He judges among the gods." | Judges/rulers are God's representatives. |
| 2 Pet 2:10 | "...despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones," | Condemns those who despise authority. |
Exodus 22 verses
Exodus 22 28 Meaning
Exodus 22:28 establishes a dual command against disrespecting divine and human authority. It strictly forbids reviling God, acknowledging His supreme sovereignty. Simultaneously, it prohibits cursing or speaking evil of civil leaders appointed over the people, emphasizing the sacred nature of their office as God's representatives. This statute upholds order within the community by protecting both the reverence due to God and the authority of those He places in leadership.
Exodus 22 28 Context
Exodus 22:28 is situated within a collection of civil and ceremonial laws known as the "Book of the Covenant" (Exod 20:22–23:33), given directly by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. These laws detail specific applications of the Ten Commandments, providing instruction for how the covenant community of Israel was to live righteously. Chapter 22 particularly focuses on various social laws, including justice, property rights, usury, and ethical conduct within the community. The verse specifically underscores the sanctity of authority, both divine and human, as foundational to maintaining social order and reflecting a reverent relationship with God.
Historically, in the ancient Near East, kings and rulers were often considered divine or semi-divine, wielding absolute power. This Israelite law, while demanding respect for rulers, distinctively separates divine authority (God Himself) from human authority (the ruler). It directly confronts and critiques the common pagan belief systems by clearly distinguishing the one true God from human rulers, thereby implicitly rejecting the deification of any human leader. While rulers held significant authority in Israel, their power was delegated by God and they were subject to His law, not divine in themselves.
Exodus 22 28 Word analysis
- You shall not: This is a direct, imperative command, expressing a prohibition. It reflects the authoritative nature of God's law.
- revile: The Hebrew word is תְּקַלֵּל (təqallēl), derived from the root קלל (qalal), meaning "to curse," "to treat lightly," "to despise," or "to hold in contempt." It signifies a strong verbal denigration, speaking ill of, or actively insulting. It is a grave offense, indicative of a lack of respect and honor.
- God: The Hebrew word here is אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). This term most commonly refers to the one true God, the Creator of the universe. In some rare instances, it can refer to gods (plural), angels, or even human judges/rulers because they act as God's representatives on earth, dispensing His justice (as seen in Psalm 82:1, 6). However, in this direct command context, juxtaposed with "ruler," the primary understanding is "God." Paul's quotation in Acts 23:5, referring to "God" directly, confirms this interpretation for the first clause. The prohibition emphasizes utmost reverence for the divine Name and Being.
- nor: This conjunction connects two distinct but related prohibitions, emphasizing that both are equally forbidden.
- curse: This is the same Hebrew verb תְּקַלֵּל (təqallēl) used for "revile." The repetition underscores the seriousness of speaking contemptuously, whether directed at God or a human leader.
- a ruler: The Hebrew word is נָשִׂיא (nasi), which translates to "prince," "chief," or "leader." It signifies a person in a position of high authority, such as a tribal chief, head of a family, or an appointed magistrate. These individuals were entrusted with administering justice and maintaining order in the community, essentially acting as God's instruments for governance.
- of your people: This phrase highlights the specific community over whom the ruler exercises authority—the people of Israel, the covenant nation. It reinforces that these rulers are appointed by God for His people, and therefore, disrespect toward them is ultimately disrespect toward God who established their office.
Exodus 22 28 Bonus section
The historical debate around "Elohim" in this verse, specifically whether it refers to God or human judges, highlights the profound way in which divine and human authority were intertwined in ancient Israel. While modern translations largely favor "God" for the first clause due to New Testament interpretation, the idea of "judges" acting in God's stead (e.g., Ps 82) means that disrespect for any legitimate, divinely instituted authority could be seen as reviling God's delegated power. This verse also implicitly warns against spiritual arrogance, reminding individuals that no one is above accountability to God or the leaders He ordains. It's a reminder of a key biblical truth: honor to whom honor is due, starting with God.
Exodus 22 28 Commentary
Exodus 22:28 provides a fundamental principle for ordered society within God's covenant. It directly links reverence for God with respect for the human authorities He establishes. The prohibition against reviling God signifies the core truth that God is utterly sovereign and His name and being must never be treated with contempt or disrespect. This is not merely a formality but reflects the ultimate awe due to the Almighty Creator. The identical prohibition against cursing a ruler extends this reverence to those who hold divinely delegated authority. These rulers, whether kings, judges, or tribal leaders, govern "of your people" and thus represent God's order and justice on earth. To curse or speak ill of them undermines their God-given office and disrupts the very fabric of the community. This dual command therefore serves as a bulwark against anarchy and promotes honor for the established order, acknowledging that all legitimate authority flows from God. Paul's use of this verse in Acts 23:5 confirms its enduring principle for New Testament believers: honor for those in leadership is a practical expression of fearing God. Practical applications include speaking respectfully of government leaders, even when disagreeing with their policies; praying for those in authority as commanded in 1 Timothy 2:1-2; and avoiding divisive or contemptuous speech, even on social platforms.