Exodus 23:3 kjv

Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.

Exodus 23:3 nkjv

You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.

Exodus 23:3 niv

and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.

Exodus 23:3 esv

nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.

Exodus 23:3 nlt

And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.

Exodus 23 verses

Exodus 23 3 Meaning

Exodus 23:3 mandates strict impartiality in the administration of justice. It forbids showing undue favoritism or partiality even to the poor in their legal disputes. This means that judges and those in authority must render judgments based solely on the merits of the case and the truth, rather than being swayed by pity, sympathy, or the socio-economic status of the litigants. The law must apply equally to all, irrespective of their station in life.

Exodus 23 3 Context

Exodus chapter 23 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exo 20:22-23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. Following general moral injunctions in verses 1-2, this verse introduces specific judicial principles for the Israelite community. It's a foundational legal precept aimed at ensuring a just and equitable society. This command, along with verse 6 (not to pervert justice due to the poor), forms a balanced demand for absolute judicial impartiality—neither favoring the rich nor unjustly favoring the poor. Historically, many ancient Near Eastern legal systems, though often expressing ideals of justice, frequently displayed social bias. This divine command directly countered such human tendencies by establishing a radical standard of justice where personal pity or social status could not compromise truth.

Exodus 23 3 Word analysis

• Nor shall you show partiality:

  • Hebrew: lo' tithaddar (לֹא תֶהְדַּר).
  • lo' (לֹא) is the strong negative particle "not."
  • tithaddar comes from the root hadar (הָדַר), which means "to honor," "to glorify," "to defer to," or "to show favoritism." It implies giving someone an advantage or preference that is not justly deserved, elevating them based on who they are rather than what is true. This word conveys an act of "showing deference" or "adorning" someone with favor, thus giving an unmerited advantage in judgment. It is a deliberate action of unfair favoritism.

• to a poor man:

  • Hebrew: dal (דָּל).
  • This term refers to someone who is weak, lowly, meager, or disadvantaged economically and socially. It doesn't necessarily mean destitute, but someone who lacks power, influence, and resources compared to the stronger or wealthier.
  • The significance here is profound: even though God consistently expresses compassion for the poor and commands His people to care for them, that care does not extend to distorting justice on their behalf. Pity cannot override truth or law. This prevents a system where a poor person might automatically win simply by appealing to their poverty, thus undermining true justice and potentially oppressing the opposing party.

• in his lawsuit:

  • Hebrew: be-riyb-ow (בְּרִיבֹו).
  • be (בְּ) is the preposition "in" or "in his matter of."
  • riyb (רִיב) means a "dispute," "contention," "legal case," or "quarrel." It refers specifically to a judicial proceeding or a formal conflict between parties.
  • This phrase narrows the context specifically to legal judgments, emphasizing that the rule of impartiality applies precisely where critical decisions affecting individuals' lives and rights are made.

Words-group analysis:

• Nor shall you show partiality to a poor man: This phrase highlights the radical nature of divine justice. Unlike many human systems susceptible to emotional pleas or social pressures, God's standard requires objectivity. While sympathy for the poor is commendable and often commanded in the Bible (e.g., Deut 15:7-11), it must not corrupt the scales of justice. This command directly addresses the temptation to pity, which could lead to an unfair ruling. The integrity of the legal process is paramount, transcending even the compassionate impulse to assist the needy.

• in his lawsuit: This specifies the domain of the impartiality: legal and judicial matters. The principle applies when a legal dispute is before a judge or elder, ensuring that legal outcomes are based on fact and law, not personal circumstances or sentiment. This contrasts with charitable giving or social assistance, which are distinct spheres of help. Justice must remain pure and untainted by subjective considerations.

Exodus 23 3 Bonus section

The command in Exodus 23:3, prohibiting partiality towards the poor in legal disputes, establishes a crucial boundary for compassion. While God's law elsewhere overflows with instructions to show care, generosity, and justice to the poor, this verse defines that this care must never undermine judicial integrity. It serves as a necessary counterbalance, emphasizing that while poverty might mitigate penalties in some cases (e.g., restitution for theft in Exo 22), it does not grant special legal privilege for culpability. This teaching implies that if a poor person has indeed committed a wrong or is on the wrong side of a legal argument, they are to be judged according to the same standard as anyone else. This divine requirement promotes true social stability and demonstrates that God's justice is perfect, treating every individual equally under the law, ensuring that legal rights and wrongs are determined by fact and statute, not by personal sentiment or societal position.

Exodus 23 3 Commentary

Exodus 23:3 delivers a striking divine injunction that counters a pervasive human tendency: the inclination to favor the disadvantaged. God's law demands absolute judicial impartiality, specifically cautioning against favoring the poor. This might seem counterintuitive, especially given the many biblical commands to care for the needy. However, it profoundly highlights the nature of true justice. Justice is about upholding truth and applying the law equally to all parties, regardless of their social standing or perceived need. To favor a poor litigant, simply because of their poverty, would effectively be to oppress the opposing party if that party were in the right. It would warp the law, make judgments unreliable, and undermine the very foundation of societal order built on truth. This principle protects the legal system from becoming a tool of misguided charity, ensuring it remains an instrument of equity and righteousness. God's standard elevates the pursuit of truth above all subjective human emotions, creating a robust and incorruptible system of judgment.