Exodus 23:3
Exodus 23:3 in Multiple Translations
And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.
¶ Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
neither shalt thou favor a poor man in his cause.
But, on the other hand, do not be turned from what is right in order to give support to a poor man's cause.
Don't show favoritism to poor people in their legal cases either.
Thou shalt not esteeme a poore man in his cause.
and a poor man thou dost not honour in his strife.
You shall not favor a poor man in his cause.
Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
Neither shalt thou favour a poor man in judgment.
When a poor person is on trial, do not testify in his favor just because he is poor and you feel sorry for him.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 23:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 23:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/דָ֕ל
לֹ֥א
תֶהְדַּ֖ר
בְּ/רִיבֽ/וֹ
וְ/דָ֕ל
dal
H1800
poor
Conj | Adj
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תֶהְדַּ֖ר
hâdar
H1921
to honor
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
בְּ/רִיבֽ/וֹ
rîyb
H7379
strife
Prep | N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 23:3
וְ/דָ֕ל
dal
H1800
"poor"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for someone who is poor or weak, often describing those in need of help or assistance. In the book of Proverbs, it warns against oppressing the poor, and in Psalm 35:10, it describes the needy and the poor. The word is also used in Isaiah 41:17.
Definition: low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: lean, needy, poor (man), weaker. See also: Exodus 23:3; Proverbs 19:17; Psalms 41:2.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תֶהְדַּ֖ר
hâdar
H1921
"to honor"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
To honor means to show respect or admiration, like honoring God or someone in authority, as mentioned in Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to honour, adorn, glorify, be high 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to swell 1a1a) swelling (pass participle) 1a2) to honour, pay honour to, show partiality 1a3) to adorn 1a3a) adorned (pass participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be honoured 1c) (Hithpael) to honour oneself, claim honour
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: countenance, crooked place, glorious, honour, put forth. See also: Exodus 23:3; Proverbs 25:6; Isaiah 45:2.
בְּ/רִיבֽ/וֹ
rîyb
H7379
"strife"
Prep | N-cs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a dispute or quarrel between people, which can be a physical fight or a verbal argument. It is often used to describe a lawsuit or controversy, and appears in books like Deuteronomy and Job.
Definition: 1) strife, controversy, dispute 1a) strife, quarrel 1b) dispute, controversy, case at law
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading, strife, strive(-ing), suit. See also: Genesis 13:7; Proverbs 17:1; Psalms 18:44.
Study Notes — Exodus 23:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 23:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 23:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 23:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 23:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 23:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 23:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 23:3
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 23:3
- Sermons on Exodus 23:3
Context — Justice and Mercy
1“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.
2You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.
3And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.
4If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. 5If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James 3:17 | But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. |
| 2 | Leviticus 19:15 | You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly. |
| 3 | Psalms 82:2–3 | “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 1:17 | Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” |
Exodus 23:3 Summary
This verse is telling us to be fair and impartial when we are judging a situation or making a decision, and not to favor someone just because they are poor. This is important because God wants us to treat all people with respect and fairness, regardless of their circumstances, as we see in verses like Leviticus 19:15 and Deuteronomy 1:17. By being impartial, we can help to create a more just and fair society, and we can reflect God's own character and commitment to justice. As we strive to live out this principle, we can ask for God's help and guidance, and remember that He is the ultimate judge and righteous ruler of all, as seen in Psalm 89:14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God tell us not to show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit?
God wants to ensure that justice is fair and impartial, regardless of a person's social or economic status, as seen in Leviticus 19:15 and Deuteronomy 1:17, where He commands us to judge righteously and not to be partial to the poor or the rich.
Does this verse mean that we should not help the poor or show them kindness?
No, this verse is specifically talking about lawsuits and the importance of impartiality in those situations, whereas other verses like Proverbs 19:17 and Galatians 2:10 encourage us to care for the poor and show them kindness and compassion.
How does this verse relate to the command to love our neighbors as ourselves?
Loving our neighbors as ourselves, as commanded in Leviticus 19:18 and Mark 12:31, means treating them with fairness and respect, regardless of their circumstances, and this verse is a specific application of that principle in the context of lawsuits and justice.
What is the danger of showing favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit?
Showing favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit can lead to injustice and undermine the integrity of the legal system, as it can create an uneven playing field and lead to resentment and mistrust, as warned in Proverbs 18:5 and Exodus 23:6-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I might be tempted to show favoritism in my own life, and how can I guard against this?
- How can I balance the need to care for the poor and vulnerable with the importance of impartiality in situations like lawsuits?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His commitment to justice and fairness?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of impartiality in my own relationships and interactions with others?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 23:3
Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. Because he is a poor man, and for that reason endeavour to carry his cause for him, right or wrong, from a foolish pity to him as a poor man,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 23:3
Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause , [ lo' (H3808) tehdar (H1921)] - Thou shalt not honour a poor man; or, Thou shalt not
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 23:3
Heb. honour, i.e. respect, or prefer his cause when the richer man’ s cause is more just: the meaning of this and the former verse is, there shall be no respect of persons, whether rich or poor, but an impartial consideration of the cause. See ,2.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 23:3
Exodus 23:3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.Ver. 3. Neither shalt thou countenance.] Spare not the great for their might, nor the mean for their misery.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 23:3
(3) Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.—We must not “pervert judgment” either in favour of the rich or of the poor. Justice must hold her scales even, and be proof equally against a paltry fear of the rich and a weak compassion for the indigent. The cause alone is to be considered, not the persons. (Comp. Leviticus 19:15.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 23:3
Verse 3. Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.] The word דל dal, which we translate poor man, is probably put here in opposition to רבים rabbim, the great, or noble men, in the preceding verse: if so, the meaning is, Thou shalt neither be influenced by the great to make an unrighteous decision, nor by the poverty or distress of the poor to give thy voice against the dictates of justice and truth. Hence the ancient maxim, FIAT JUSTITIA, RUAT COELUM. "Let justice be done, though the heavens should be dissolved."
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 23:3
3. Judgement to be given with strict impartiality. favour] lit. adorn, i.e. honour (Leviticus 19:15; Leviticus 19:32, Lamentations 5:12)—in a bad sense, honour unduly = favour, viz. out of false sympathy, or antipathy to the rich and powerful. ‘The sense is good, and supported by Leviticus 19:15 : one would expect, however, a warning against the far more common fault of favouring a great man, if not in place of the present warning, at least (as in Leviticus 19:15) by the side of it’ (Di.). Kn., Bδ. and others, by a very slight change (βγμ for εγμ), would read, ‘Thou shalt not honour a great man in his cause.’
Sermons on Exodus 23:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Tongue by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the feeling of being left behind and the horror it brings. He relates this to the concept of failing in the school of God and having to go b |
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7) Wisdom for Sisters (Kannada) by Annie Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking divine wisdom for our earthly lives, distinguishing between knowledge and wisdom. It highlights the need for obedience to God's wor |
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Acquiring a Heart of Wisdom by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of acquiring wisdom in our lives, drawing insights from Psalms 90 and the life of Jesus. It highlights the need to submit to imperfect authori |
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(Luke) 01a - Introduction Cont. by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the Gospel of Luke and its portrayal of Jesus reaching out to the needy, humble, and broken. The sermon highlights the impact of a movie based |
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Tongue Taming by David P. Murray | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the power and impact of our words. He uses various illustrations to emphasize how something small, like a bit in a horse's mouth or a rudder |
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Who Is Wise? by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of wisdom and discernment. He urges his listeners to make straight paths for their feet and not to stray from the right path. |
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Maintain the Connection - Part 4 by Hans Peter Royer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how to determine if a message is from God. They emphasize that the content of a word from God will always align with the general revelation fo |