Bribing, the act of giving or receiving something of value in exchange for influence or action, is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible. It is consistently portrayed as a corrupt practice that undermines justice and righteousness, which are central themes in biblical teaching.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains numerous admonitions against bribery, emphasizing its destructive impact on justice and society. In Exodus 23:8, the Israelites are commanded, "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, which can distort judgment and lead to injustice.

Deuteronomy 16:19 further instructs, "Do not pervert 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, the emphasis is on maintaining impartiality and integrity, essential qualities for those in positions of authority.

The prophet Samuel, in 1 Samuel 12:3, defends his leadership by declaring, "Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and His anointed. Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to overlook something? If I have done any of these, I will make it right." Samuel's statement underscores the expectation of leaders to be free from corruption and bribery.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible also addresses the issue of bribery. Proverbs 17:23 states, "A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice." This proverb identifies bribery as a tool of the wicked, used to undermine justice and righteousness.

Proverbs 15:27 warns, "He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble to his household, but he who hates bribes will live." This verse connects the acceptance of bribes with greed and the resulting turmoil it brings, contrasting it with the life-giving choice of rejecting such practices.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently condemned bribery as part of their broader critique of social injustice. Isaiah 1:23 laments, "Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless, and the widow’s case does not come before them." This passage illustrates how bribery contributes to the neglect of the vulnerable and the perversion of justice.

Micah 3:11 criticizes the leaders of Israel, saying, "Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, 'Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us.'" The prophet exposes the hypocrisy of those who claim to serve God while engaging in corrupt practices.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not address bribery as extensively as the Old Testament, it upholds the principles of justice and integrity. In the context of church leadership, 1 Timothy 3:3 advises that an overseer must not be "a lover of money," which can be understood to include the rejection of bribery and corrupt gain.

The account of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16) serves as a poignant example of the destructive power of greed and bribery, leading to the ultimate act of betrayal.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, bribery is consistently condemned as a practice that corrupts justice, perverts righteousness, and leads to societal decay. The biblical call is for individuals, especially those in positions of authority, to uphold justice and integrity, rejecting the allure of bribes and the corruption they bring.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bribe.

Potami??na.
... that she was a slave, and that her master, not being able to induce her to yield
to his passion, accused her before the judge as a Christian, bribing him, if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter v potamiaena.htm

Psalm 15:2. LM Religion and Justice, Goodness and Truth; Or ...
... 5 [He never deals in bribing gold, And mourns that justice should be sold: While
others gripe and grind the poor, Sweet charity attends his door.]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 15 2 l m religion.htm

Letter of the Same to the Same.
... be ignorant of this too, know that we, seeing that the partisans of Cyril have deceived
everyone by domineering, cheating, flattering, and bribing, have more ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/clxv letter of the same.htm

Psalm 15 Religion and Justice, Goodness and Truth; Or, Duties to ...
... Nor dares to change the thing he swears,. Whatever pain or loss he bears.]. [He
never deals in bribing gold,. And mourns that justice should be sold; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 15 religion and justice.htm

Antipater Becomes Intolerable. He is Sent to Rome, and Carries ...
... with Herod, and discovered Sylleus's grand secrets, and told the king that Sylleus
had corrupted Corinthus, one of the guards of his body, by bribing him, and ...
/.../chapter 29 antipater becomes intolerable.htm

Before Caiaphas
... Presently they would cause the name of God to be blasphemed among the heathen,
by bribing the Roman guards to lie about the corpse. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 53-65 before caiaphas.htm

The Gospel of Matthew
... on two animals, 21: 2, 7; the opening of the graves at the resurrection of Christ,
27: 52; the setting of a watch at the sepulchre and the bribing of them, etc ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of matthew.htm

Letter cxxviii. To Gaudentius.
... Moreover spruce and gay young men often seek access for themselves by paying court
to nurses or dependants or even by bribing them, and when they have thus ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxviii to gaudentius.htm

Matthew.
... wife (27:19); the appearance of departed saints in Jerusalem (27:52); the watch
at the sepulchre (27:62-66); the lie of the Sanhedrin and the bribing of the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 80 matthew.htm

The Symbols of the Republic.
... The wire-pulling and the bribing, the pitiful truckling and the grotesque compromises,
the exaggeration and the detraction, the melo-dramatic issues and the ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse iv the symbols of.htm

Bribing (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bribe. Multi-Version Concordance
Bribing (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 16:33 To all whores ...
/b/bribing.htm - 6k

Brick (10 Occurrences)

/b/brick.htm - 15k

Bribest (1 Occurrence)

/b/bribest.htm - 6k

Bribing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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