Proverbs 17:23

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

שֹׁחַד מֵחֵיק רָשָׁע יִקָּח לְהַטּוֹת אָרְחוֹת מִשְׁפָּט

Transliteration

šōchad from chēq rāšā' yiqqāch to haṭṭôt 'ŏrchôt mišpāṭ

Grammar Details

• *šōchad*: noun, masculine singular - bribe
• *mē-chēq*: preposition + noun, masculine singular construct - from bosom of
• *rāšā'*: noun, masculine singular - wicked person
• *yiqqāch*: verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he takes
• *lə-haṭṭôt*: preposition + infinitive construct, Hiphil - to pervert
• *'ŏrchôt*: noun, feminine plural construct - paths of
• *mišpāṭ*: noun, masculine singular - justice/judgment

Word Meanings

• *šōchad*: bribe/gift
• *chēq*: bosom/lap
• *rāšā'*: wicked person/evil one
• *yiqqāch*: takes/accepts
• *haṭṭôt*: to pervert/turn aside
• *'ŏrchôt*: paths/ways
• *mišpāṭ*: justice/judgment/right

Referenced Verses

• Exod 23:8 : 8 And thou shalt take no bribe: for a bribe blindeth them that have sight, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
• Prov 17:8 : 8 A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
• Mic 7:3 : 3 Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge [is ready] for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together.
• Deut 16:19 : 19 Thou shalt not wrest justice: thou shalt not respect persons; neither shalt thou take a bribe; for a bribe doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
• 1 Sam 8:3 : 3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted justice.
• 1 Sam 12:3 : 3 Here I am: witness against me before Jehovah, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
• Prov 18:16 : 16 A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
• Prov 21:14 : 14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
• Isa 1:23 : 23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
• Ezek 22:12 : 12 In thee have they taken bribes to shed blood; thou hast taken interest and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by oppression, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord Jehovah.
• Mic 3:11 : 11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet they lean upon Jehovah, and say, Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? no evil shall come upon us.
• Mark 14:10-11 : 10 And Judas Iscariot, he that was one of the twelve, went away unto the chief priests, that he might deliver him unto them. 11 And they, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently deliver him [unto them].