Exodus 23:2

+ 23:2. Ex 23:2 (Ex 23:1-3) (#9.553): T. Not to follow a crowd in order to do evil / R. To give decisions according to the majority, when there is a difference of opinion in the Great Rabbinical Court / the Sanhedrin ·Sitting together· in matters of judgment, as it is written “to incline after many” (Ex 23:2) / R. Decide by majority in case of disagreement “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. + 23:2. Ex 23:2 (Ex 23:1-3) (#9.554): T. Not to pervert justice by testifying in court in order to side with a multitude to pervert justice / R. Not to decide according to a majority in capital cases / R. The court must not execute through a majority of one; at least a majority of two is required R. Directive: The Rabbis clarify, if those who are for conviction exceed only by one than those for acquittal, then you are to decide in favor of life + 23:2. Ex 23:2 (Ex 23:1-3) (#9.555): T. This command is not found in the straightforward text, it is implied / R. That one who has first argued for acquittal shall not later argue for conviction / R. A judge who presented an acquittal plea must not present an argument for conviction in capital cases You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice.

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In The King James Version

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

In Context

1+ 23:1. Ex 23:1 (Ex 23:1-3) (#9.551): T. Not to repeat false rumors nor spread a false report / R. Not to hear one of the parties in a case if the other party is absent / R. Judges must not accept testimony unless both parties are present “You shall not spread a false report. + 23:1. Ex 23:1 (Ex 23:1-3) (#9.552): T. “Don’t join hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness” (v1) / R. The habitual transgressor shall not testify / R. Transgressors must not testify Don’t join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.

3You shall not favor a poor man in his cause.

Read all of Exodus 23

Cross References

Genesis 7:1Adonai said to Noah [Rest], “Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation.

Genesis 19:7He said, “Please, my brothers, don’t act so wickedly.

Exodus 32:1When the people saw that Moses [Drawn out] delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron [Light-bringer], and said to him, “Come, make us deities, which shall lead us; for this Moses [Drawn out], the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt [Abode of slavery], we don’t know what has become of him.” + 32:1. Quoted in Acts 7:40

Numbers 14:1All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.

Deuteronomy 16:19You shall not pervert mishpat ·justice·. You shall not show partiality. You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the upright.

Matthew Henry on Exodus 23:2-10

Judicial Laws. ( b. c. 1491.) 1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: 3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. 4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. 5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Exodus 23:2