Exodus 23:7 kjv

Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 23:7 nkjv

Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 23:7 niv

Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.

Exodus 23:7 esv

Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.

Exodus 23:7 nlt

"Be sure never to charge anyone falsely with evil. Never sentence an innocent or blameless person to death, for I never declare a guilty person to be innocent.

Exodus 23 verses

Exodus 23 7 Meaning

Exodus 23:7 is a profound declaration concerning judicial integrity and divine justice. It strictly commands Israel to distance itself completely from any false accusation or testimony. It then explicitly forbids putting to death those who are innocent and righteous, providing a foundational reason: God Himself will not declare the wicked guiltless, particularly those who pervert justice. This verse underscores God's unwavering character as a just judge and His expectation for His people to uphold absolute righteousness in legal proceedings.

Exodus 23 7 Context

Exodus 23:7 is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exod 20:22-23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments, providing specific civil and ethical laws for Israel. The immediate context, Exodus 23:1-9, focuses on legal and social justice. This section details requirements for impartial judgment, honesty in testimony, and protection for the vulnerable and marginalized, including strangers, widows, and orphans. Verse 7 specifically addresses the absolute necessity of truthfulness and integrity within the judicial process, safeguarding against false witness and wrongful execution. Historically, Israel was being formed as a unique nation under God, whose legal system was to reflect divine character, distinct from the often arbitrary or corrupt systems of surrounding Ancient Near Eastern cultures. God was establishing a society based on righteousness, fairness, and the protection of the innocent, contrary to human tendencies towards injustice or partiality driven by fear, greed, or political gain.

Exodus 23 7 Word analysis

• Keep far from (תַרְחִיק֙ tarchiq): An imperative from the root rachaq, meaning "to be far, distant." This is a strong command to actively separate oneself, to stay removed, and not merely to avoid performing the act, but to shun even its proximity or possibility. It implies a moral and ethical distancing.
• a false charge (דְּבַר־שֶׁקֶר dəvar-šeqer): Literally "a word of falsehood" or "a matter of lying." Šeqer refers to lies, deceit, fraud, or untruth. This phrase covers all forms of dishonest accusation, false witness, or misleading statements in a legal context. It emphasizes the insidious nature of verbal untruth in undermining justice.
• and do not put (וְנָקִ֖י אַל־תַּהֲרֹ֖ג֙ vənaqi ’al-tahărog): This is a direct prohibition. ’Al is the negative particle for strong prohibition, and tahărog is "you shall kill/murder." The structure emphasizes "the innocent, do not kill."
• the innocent (נָקִ֛י naqi): Refers to someone clean, guiltless, clear of wrongdoing, blameless. It denotes freedom from culpability, especially in a legal sense. This term underscores the victim's pure standing before the law.
• and the righteous (וְצַדִּ֥יק vətsaddiq): One who is just, upright, or vindicated. Tsaddiq speaks of moral and ethical correctness, conformity to divine standards, and being in right relationship with God and others.
• to death: Implies judicial execution, emphasizing the grave consequence of a false charge resulting in the loss of life.
• for (כִּ֥י ki): A conjunction meaning "because," "for," or "indeed." It introduces the divine reasoning and foundation for the command.
• I will not acquit (לֹא־אַצְדִּ֖יק lo’–’atsdiq): Literally "I will not declare righteous/just." From the root tsadaq, meaning "to be righteous," and in the Hiphil stem "to declare righteous," "justify," or "acquit." This is a divine declaration of unyielding justice.
• the wicked (רָשָֽׁע rasha‘): One who is guilty, wicked, criminal, unrighteous. This term stands in stark contrast to naqi and tsaddiq.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "Keep far from a false charge": This phrase establishes a proactive stance. It's not enough to simply refrain from uttering a lie; one must actively disassociate from and oppose any form of falsehood in legal settings, implying vigilance and integrity from all participants in the justice system.
• "do not put the innocent and the righteous to death": This specific command highlights the sanctity of life, especially for those unjustly accused. It covers both moral blamelessness (naqi) and righteous conduct (tsaddiq), safeguarding individuals from malevolent attacks and state-sanctioned injustice. It recognizes the irreversible consequence of judicial murder.
• "for I will not acquit the wicked": This clause serves as both a powerful deterrent and a theological basis for the preceding commands. God Himself, as the ultimate Judge, promises not to condone wickedness or injustice. This means that those who pervert justice (the "wicked" in this context who make or uphold false charges leading to death) will face divine judgment and will not be declared innocent by God. It affirms God's inherent nature as righteous and just, guaranteeing that ultimate justice will prevail, even if human systems fail.

Exodus 23 7 Bonus section

The principle articulated in Exodus 23:7 extends beyond formal court settings to broader aspects of community life. It teaches that justice is not merely a legalistic adherence to rules, but a reflection of God’s own righteous and pure character in all social interactions. The Hebrew word šeqer (falsehood) encompasses a broad range of deceit, from overt lies to subtle misrepresentations, implying that God's people are to be marked by absolute truthfulness, especially when the reputation or life of another is at stake. Furthermore, the consequence—God will not acquit the wicked—reveals the ultimate theological truth that God will always side with righteousness and will hold those who pervert justice accountable. This serves as a warning not only to judges and witnesses but to anyone in authority or anyone participating in public discourse, that promoting or condoning injustice against the innocent is to place oneself in opposition to God's own standard of justice. This profound divine declaration offers both a solemn warning to the unjust and an eternal hope for the persecuted.

Exodus 23 7 Commentary

Exodus 23:7 forms a cornerstone of biblical ethics concerning justice, underscoring the sacred nature of truth and life in legal proceedings. God’s demand to "keep far from a false charge" reflects His abhorrence of deceit and the severe impact it has on the innocent. This command calls for absolute honesty and integrity in all matters that could influence a judgment, ensuring that individuals do not engage in or tolerate perjury, slander, or any misleading statement in court. The subsequent prohibition, "do not put the innocent and the righteous to death," emphasizes the profound value of human life and the profound evil of judicial murder. It is a safeguard against the wrongful execution of blameless individuals, whether through intentional malice or systemic corruption.

The theological foundation for these commands is explicitly stated: "for I will not acquit the wicked." This divine declaration affirms God's perfect justice and serves as a powerful deterrent. It means that those who perpetuate falsehoods or commit judicial murder, even if they escape human consequence, will not escape God’s judgment. He will not declare the guilty innocent or justify their perverse actions. This statement grounds human justice in divine character, asserting that human courts are meant to mirror the ultimate court of God. It ensures that injustice, especially that which leads to innocent bloodshed, is a direct affront to God's own nature and will inevitably incur His righteous condemnation. The verse therefore is a holistic call for pure, truthful, and life-affirming justice, deeply rooted in the righteous character of Yahweh Himself.For example, this applies when one faces pressure to give false testimony in a legal dispute, or when participating in discussions that lead to defaming an innocent person, reminding us of God's watchful eye.