Definition and Nature:
Bribery is the act of giving or receiving something of value in exchange for some kind of influence or action in return, often to pervert justice or corrupt decision-making. In the biblical context, bribery is consistently portrayed as a moral failing and a sin that undermines justice and righteousness.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· Exodus 23:8: "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous." This verse highlights the corrupting power of bribes, emphasizing that they can distort judgment and lead to injustice.
· Deuteronomy 16:19: "Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." Here, bribery is directly linked to the perversion of justice, warning against partiality and corruption.
· Proverbs 17:23: "A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice." This proverb underscores the wickedness associated with accepting bribes, as it leads to the subversion of justice.

2. New Testament:
· While the New Testament does not explicitly mention bribery as frequently as the Old Testament, the principles of justice, integrity, and righteousness are upheld. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize honesty and fairness, which inherently oppose the practice of bribery.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
Bribery is condemned in the Bible because it undermines the principles of justice and fairness that are central to God's law. It is seen as a tool of the wicked, used to manipulate outcomes and favor the unjust. The Bible calls for leaders, judges, and all people to act with integrity and impartiality, ensuring that justice is served without the influence of corrupt practices.

Consequences of Bribery:
The Bible warns of both temporal and spiritual consequences for those who engage in bribery. In a societal context, bribery leads to the breakdown of trust and the erosion of justice, resulting in societal decay. Spiritually, those who engage in bribery are seen as acting against God's commandments and are subject to His judgment.

Examples in Scripture:
· 1 Samuel 8:3: The sons of Samuel, who "turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice," serve as a cautionary tale of how bribery can lead to corruption and the downfall of leaders.
· Isaiah 1:23: "Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow’s case does not come before them." This verse illustrates how bribery is associated with broader societal corruption and neglect of the vulnerable.

Theological Insights:
From a theological perspective, bribery is a manifestation of human sinfulness and the fallen nature of the world. It reflects a lack of trust in God's provision and justice, as individuals seek to manipulate outcomes for personal gain. The Bible calls believers to live counter-culturally, upholding justice and righteousness in all their dealings.

Practical Application:
Christians are called to reject bribery in all its forms, whether in personal, professional, or governmental contexts. Upholding integrity and justice is a testament to one's faith and commitment to God's commandments. Believers are encouraged to advocate for systems and practices that promote transparency and fairness, reflecting the justice of God in their communities.Exodus 23:8
And you shall take no gift: for the gift blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.
Topicalbible.org

Micah 7:3
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asks, and the judge asks for a reward; and the great man, he utters his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.
Topicalbible.org

Mark 14:11
And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
Topicalbible.org

Ezekiel 22:12
In you have they taken gifts to shed blood; you have taken usury and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten me, said the Lord GOD.
Topicalbible.org

Isaiah 5:23
Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) Robbery; extortion.

2. (n.) The act or practice of giving or taking bribes; the act of influencing the official or political action of another by corrupt inducements.

BRIBERY

brib'-er-i (shochadh, "a gift," in a corrupt sense, "a bribe"): The Hebrew law condemns everything that would tend to impair the impartial administration of justice, particularly the giving and receiving of gifts or bribes, in order to pervert judgment (Exodus 23:8). Allusions are frequent to the prevailing corruption of oriental judges and rulers. "And fire shall consume the tents of bribery" (Job 15:34 1 Samuel 8:3 Psalm 26:10 Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 33:15 Ezekiel 22:12). Samuel speaks of a "ransom" in the sense of a bribe: "Of whose hand have I taken a ransom (kopher, "covering," the King James Version "bribe") to blind mine eyes therewith?" (1 Samuel 12:3 Amos 5:12; compare Amos 2:6).

See CRIMES; JUSTICE; PUNISHMENTS.

L. Kaiser

7810. shochad -- a present, bribe
... bribery, gift, present, reward. From shachad; a donation (venal or redemptive) --
bribe(-ry), gift, present, reward. see HEBREW shachad. 7809, 7810. ...
/hebrew/7810.htm - 6k

In Wisdom Let us Hearken to Death, O My Beloved: How He Accuses us ...
... 23. I have seen bribery and marvelled at it, that ran and outran me: how
many slain does bribery, slay, and none perceives!"24. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lxi in wisdom let.htm

The Personal History of Herod - the Two Worlds in Jerusalem.
... people. The sacred office fell, if possible, even lower when, through
bribery, it was transferred to his brother Menelaus. Then ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the personal history.htm

The First Kings.
... to succeed him. They were mercenary and open to bribery, and it is not
strange that they were disliked by the people. It is one ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force must Inevitably be ...
... It is the Result of the Subtle and Complex Character of the Government Use of
Force"Force is Used in Four Ways: Intimidation, Bribery, Hypnotism, and ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter viii doctrine of non-resistance.htm

Significant Phrases
... brave and chivalrous. breathless and reverential. brevity and condensation. bribery
and corruption. brief and pithy. bright and vivacious. brilliancy and grace. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

Appendix B: Forgery Procured by Mary of Guise
... It is certain that Throckmorton sometimes, by bribery, did obtain copies of secret
French papers, but I have not found him reporting to Cecil or Queen ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/appendix b forgery procured by.htm

Chapter eleven
... it is, toward the nomination and election of good men, and plunge into the very
depths of the entire horrible whirlpool of deceit, bribery, political trickery ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter eleven.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... reflected our pride, self-sufficiency, vain ostentation, and worldliness; our avarice,
fraud, overreaching artifices, breaches of trust, bribery, oppression of ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

But when I had Dismissed My Fellow Legates...
... their approbation it was that I gave my sentences, while I endeavored not to mistake
what justice required, and to keep my hands clear of all bribery in those ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 14 but when i.htm

Driven Forth
... plots of murder had been frustrated; it might happen that truth and righteousness
would still triumph, and so their dark webs of lies and bribery be torn to ...
/.../chapter li driven forth.htm

Bribery (2 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BRIBERY. ... "And fire shall consume the tents of bribery"
(Job 15:34 1 Samuel 8:3 Psalm 26:10 Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 33:15 Ezekiel 22:12). ...
/b/bribery.htm - 8k

Bribes (14 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV RSV). Job 15:34 For the company of the godless shall be desolate,
and fire shall consume the tents of bribery. (See NIV). ...
/b/bribes.htm - 10k

Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... Both phrases vividly bring out the baneful effect of bribery-a magistrate otherwise
upright and honest-open-eyed and wise-may be unconsciously yet effectively ...
/j/judicial.htm - 25k

Gloomy (10 Occurrences)
... come into it. (YLT). Job 15:34 For the company of the profane 'is' gloomy,
And fire hath consumed tents of bribery. (YLT). Job 30:3 ...
/g/gloomy.htm - 9k

Godless (31 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV). Job 15:34 For the company of the godless shall be barren,
and fire shall consume the tents of bribery. (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/godless.htm - 16k

Iniquity (299 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Gross injustice; unfairness; wickedness; sin;
as, the iniquity of bribery; the iniquity of an unjust judge. ...
/i/iniquity.htm - 43k

Tamper (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vi) To meddle so as to alter, injure, or vitiate a thing. 5. (vi) To deal unfairly;
to practice secretly; to use bribery. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/tamper.htm - 7k

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
... persuaded. By bribery and appeal, by promise and by deception he exhorted
them to turn traitor to Hezekiah and surrender to him. ...
/r/rabshakeh.htm - 14k

Bribed (2 Occurrences)

/b/bribed.htm - 7k

Corruption (37 Occurrences)
... or moral principle; as, a corruption of morals; the state of being corrupted or
debased; loss of purity or integrity; depravity; wickedness; impurity; bribery. ...
/c/corruption.htm - 21k

What does the Bible say about bribery / giving or receiving a bribe? | GotQuestions.org

What is truth? | GotQuestions.org

Specific Sins ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Bribery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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