Proverbs 24:23 kjv

These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

Proverbs 24:23 nkjv

These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.

Proverbs 24:23 niv

These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good:

Proverbs 24:23 esv

These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.

Proverbs 24:23 nlt

Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 23 Meaning

Proverbs 24:23 states a profound ethical principle: the practice of showing favoritism or prejudice during the process of judgment or legal discernment is fundamentally unacceptable and harmful. It asserts that impartiality is an essential prerequisite for the righteous administration of justice, emphasizing that equity and truth must take precedence over personal biases, social status, or external connections. This divine standard applies to anyone entrusted with authority or influence in matters of truth and fairness.

Proverbs 24 23 Context

Proverbs 24:23 marks the beginning of a distinct appendix or final section within the "sayings of the wise," a larger collection of wisdom literature that runs from Proverbs 22:17 to 24:34. While earlier portions of Proverbs often concentrate on personal virtues, industry, and prudent individual living, this verse and the ones that follow specifically shift the focus towards broader societal concerns of justice, governance, and public duty. In ancient Israel, justice was decentralized, typically administered by respected elders at the city gates. These judges were seen as representatives of God's divine justice, making their impartiality fundamental to the community's integrity and righteousness. Thus, this saying underscores a profound theological truth: true justice must mirror God's own impartial and righteous character. Perverting justice, through acts like showing favoritism, was a direct violation of the covenant God established with Israel.

Proverbs 24 23 Word analysis

• "These also" (גַּם אֵלֶּה, gam elleh):
  • Signifies a continuation, implying an additional collection of wisdom sayings. It creates a direct link to previous collections of "sayings of the wise" in the book, emphasizing that this counsel is part of a larger, authoritative body of wisdom.
• "are sayings of the wise" (לַחֲכָמִים, laḥakamim):
  • Indicates that these are authoritative, time-tested insights originating from individuals renowned for their understanding and adherence to godly principles. Such "sayings" represent distilled counsel for living a righteous and flourishing life.
• "Partiality" (הַכֵּר פָּנִים, haker panim):
  • Literally translates to "to recognize faces" or "to lift up faces." In judicial and social contexts, it is an idiom meaning to show favor or give special consideration based on someone's identity, status, wealth, or personal connections, rather than solely on the merits or facts of a situation.
  • This term directly condemns unjust discrimination, favoritism, or respect of persons in any form.
• "in judgment" (בְּמִשְׁפָּט, be mishpat):
  • Mishpat broadly refers to justice, a legal decision, a customary right, or a specific judgment. Here, it denotes the process of discerning, arbitrating, or presiding over a legal or moral dispute.
  • This phrase highlights the crucial area where impartiality is most vital, as decisions "in judgment" directly impact lives and social order.
• "is not good" (לֹא טוֹב, lo tov):
  • This phrase represents a strong condemnation in biblical ethics. "Good" (tov) implies conformity to God's created order and His will, leading to flourishing and righteousness. Therefore, "not good" signifies something contrary to divine principles, inherently wrong, destructive, and productive of moral decay.
  • It is a declaration of moral unacceptability, rather than a mere suggestion or preference.

Words-group analysis:

• "These also are sayings of the wise": This introductory phrase underscores the established authority and enduring relevance of the advice. It is not new, but timeless wisdom proven to be essential for righteous conduct and societal well-being.
• "Partiality in judgment": This is the core subject of the verse, specifically targeting the corrupt practice of biased decision-making within any framework that requires objective discernment and fairness. It covers legal courts, arbitrations, leadership roles, and general moral evaluation. The demand is that decision-making should be unadulterated by personal preferences, external pressures, or social standing.
• "is not good": This seemingly straightforward statement conveys profound moral disapproval. In a theological sense, something "not good" goes against the very character and commands of God. It implies fundamental moral defect, leading to injustice, social disorder, and alienation from God's righteous standards.

Proverbs 24 23 Bonus Section

The condemnation of partiality within the Mosaic Law and the wisdom literature like Proverbs was revolutionary compared to the common practices of many ancient Near Eastern societies, where justice was often subject to the whims of powerful rulers or determined by social hierarchy and influence. In contrast, Israel’s call for impartiality reflected Yahweh’s unique character—a God who is intrinsically just and shows no partiality. This ethical standard was fundamental to Israel’s covenant identity, meant to set them apart as a nation whose justice mirrored their righteous God. This verse therefore does not just offer pragmatic advice for legal proceedings, but articulates a foundational theological principle. The New Testament profoundly expands this concept, not only affirming it in matters of leadership and governance (Rom 13:3-4) but also applying it to the very fabric of the Christian community, warning against any form of favoritism among believers, particularly based on wealth or status (Jas 2:1-9). This emphasizes that impartiality is a pervasive and timeless biblical command for all who seek to live wisely and righteously under God.

Proverbs 24 23 Commentary

Proverbs 24:23 stands as a pivotal biblical statement on the absolute necessity of impartiality in the administration of justice. As a "saying of the wise," its truth is presented as an undeniable, time-tested principle for all righteous societies. The phrase "partiality in judgment" using the idiom "to recognize faces," graphically illustrates the perversion of justice where personal bias—whether towards wealth, status, or even misdirected pity—supersedes the objective merits of a case and the clear directives of God's law. This is particularly condemned because judgment inherently involves matters of truth, righteousness, and the welfare of individuals and the community. The simple yet potent declaration "is not good" signifies that such partiality is not merely a preference or inconvenience, but a fundamental moral flaw that contradicts the divine order. It reveals a departure from God's own impartial character and leads to systemic injustice, corroding trust and righteousness within a society. For example, a judge who lets a wealthy offender go free while punishing a poor one for the same crime embodies this condemned partiality. Similarly, leaders who overlook the transgressions of their allies while strictly enforcing rules against their adversaries also engage in partiality.