Exodus 23:3

You shall not favor a poor man in his cause.

One Unity Resource Bible

In The King James Version

Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.

In Context

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.

4“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.

Read all of Exodus 23

Cross References

Deuteronomy 1:17+ 1:17. Deut 1:17 (#10.605): T. The judge is not to show favoritism in making judgments / R. Not to appoint as judge one who is not learned in the laws of the Torah ·Teaching· and judicial procedure, even if he is learned in other disciplines You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall sh'ma ·hear obey· the small and the great alike. + 1:17. Deut 1:17 (Deut 1:14-17; Lev 19:15) (#10.606): T. The judge not be afraid when judging no matter how a man presents himself / R. The judge must not fear a violent man when making judgments You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will sh'ma ·hear obey· it.”

Psalms 82:3“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. 2 Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. 1

Proverbs 22:22Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor; 2 and don’t crush the needy in court; 1

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 23:3