Exodus 23:1 kjv

Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Exodus 23:1 nkjv

"You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Exodus 23:1 niv

"Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.

Exodus 23:1 esv

"You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.

Exodus 23:1 nlt

"You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand.

Exodus 23 verses

Exodus 23 1 Meaning

Exodus 23:1 commands the people of God not to propagate false reports, baseless rumors, or misleading information. Furthermore, it prohibits any individual from collaborating with or supporting the wicked in their efforts to offer malicious or unjust testimony, particularly within legal settings. This foundational statute establishes the critical importance of truthfulness, integrity, and disassociation from all forms of deceit and unrighteousness within the community.

Exodus 23 1 Context

Exodus 23:1 is embedded within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exo 20:22–23:33), which serves as a detailed exposition and application of the Ten Commandments for ancient Israel. Following the profound declaration of divine law on Mount Sinai, this section provides specific statutes governing various aspects of civil, social, and religious life for the Israelite community.

Specifically, Exodus 23:1-9 focuses on the administration of justice and the conduct required within legal proceedings. This includes mandates concerning honest testimony, impartiality in judgment, and protection for the vulnerable. Historically and culturally, societies in the Ancient Near East heavily relied on oral testimony in legal matters, making the integrity of witnesses paramount. False witnessing and manipulation were rampant issues in many cultures. This divine command directly counters such corrupt practices, establishing a standard for Israel that reflects God's own perfect truth and justice, setting them apart from surrounding pagan societies where legal outcomes were often swayed by deceit or power.

Exodus 23 1 Word analysis

• You shall not spread (לֹא תִשָּׂא, lo tissa): This phrase is a strong negative command. Lo is "not," and tissa is the second person masculine singular form of the verb nasa (נשׂא), meaning "to lift," "to carry," "to bear," or "to raise." In this context, it forbids the action of carrying or bearing a report from one person or place to another, effectively meaning "to spread" or "to circulate." The emphasis is on active propagation.

• a false report (שֵׁמַע שָׁוְא, shema shav):

  • שֵׁמַע (shema): Literally "a hearing," "a sound," or "a report." It refers to something heard and then communicated.
  • שָׁוְא (shav): Means "emptiness," "vanity," "worthlessness," "futility," or "falsehood." It implies a lack of truth, substance, or purpose. This is the same word used in the Third Commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Exo 20:7).
  • Together, shema shav denotes a report that is empty of truth, a baseless rumor, a vain rumor, or deceptive news. It covers anything heard and circulated that is untrue, misleading, or unfounded.

• Do not join hands (לֹא תָשִׁית יָדְךָ, lo tashit yad'kha):

  • לֹא תָשִׁית (lo tashit): "You shall not put/place/set." Tashit is from the verb shit (שׁית), meaning "to set," "to place," "to lay." The prohibition is against initiating or putting into action.
  • יָדְךָ (yad'kha): "Your hand." "Putting your hand with" is an idiom for giving cooperation, offering support, forming an alliance, or participating actively. It signifies complicity or a pact.

• with the wicked (עִם־רָשָׁע, im-rasha):

  • עִם (im): "With." Indicates association or accompaniment.
  • רָשָׁע (rasha): Refers to "the wicked," "the guilty," or "the unrighteous." This term describes someone characterized by ungodliness, moral perversion, or unjust actions. The command is a clear directive to avoid partnership with such individuals in their malicious undertakings.

• to be a malicious witness (לִהְיֹת עֵד חָמָס, lihyot ed hamas):

  • לִהְיֹת (lihyot): "To be." Infinitive construct indicating purpose or result.
  • עֵד (ed): A "witness." One who gives testimony, typically in a legal context.
  • חָמָס (hamas): Meaning "violence," "wrong," "injustice," "cruelty," or "oppression." It denotes active harm or wrong inflicted.
  • Therefore, ed hamas translates to a "witness of violence/wrong," or a "malicious witness," an "unjust witness," or a "witness to harm." This is someone who bears false testimony specifically to inflict injustice or cause harm to another, embodying deliberate perjury.

Exodus 23 1 Bonus section

• This verse serves as a fundamental protection for the innocent, ensuring that judgments are based on verifiable truth rather than fabricated narratives or malicious intent.
• The principles here extend into contemporary society, calling believers to discernment in an age of abundant information, urging them to verify sources and refuse to propagate misinformation.
• The emphasis on "joining hands" implies a covenantal or deliberate partnership. It means avoiding any formal or informal alliance that compromises one's moral witness and aligns them with unrighteous purposes.
• The command points to God's standard for human interaction and governance, reflecting His own perfect and righteous nature where all actions are founded on truth.

Exodus 23 1 Commentary

Exodus 23:1 is a pivotal instruction regarding the pursuit of truth and justice within the community of faith. It encompasses two primary prohibitions, both rooted in the divine character of truthfulness and integrity. First, the command "You shall not spread a false report" extends beyond mere courtroom testimony to general conduct, urging individuals to avoid rumor-mongering, gossip, and the circulation of unverified or damaging information. This principle guards the reputation of others and fosters a communal atmosphere of trust, demonstrating respect for truth in everyday interactions. The second part, "Do not join hands with the wicked to be a malicious witness," directly addresses complicity in injustice. It's not merely about refraining from bearing false witness personally but also about refusing to align with or enable those who pervert justice. This means Christians must actively disassociate from groups or individuals whose intent is to mislead, harm, or distort truth for unrighteous gain. The verse underscores that neutrality or passive acceptance in the face of active injustice makes one complicit. This command highlights the necessity for believers to maintain clear ethical boundaries, choosing truth and righteousness over any form of alliance with deceit, especially when the integrity of legal proceedings or human dignity is at stake.