brīb ́ẽr-i (שׁחד, shōḥadh, “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; Psalms 26:10; Isaiah 1:23; 33:15; Ezekiel 22:12). Samuel speaks of a “ransom” in the sense of a bribe: “Of whose hand have I taken a ransom (כּפר, kōpher, “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.
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Author: International Std. Bible Encyclopedia
Keywords: Bribery, Bribe, corruption
Bible reference(s): 1 Samuel 8:3, 1 Samuel 12:3, Job 15:34, Psalms 26:10, Isaiah 33:15, Amos 5:12
Source: James Orr (editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 volume set.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.