Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil] Be singular.
Singularity, if in the right, can never be criminal. So completely disgraceful is the way of sin, that if there were not a multitude walking in that way, who help to keep each other in countenance, every solitary sinner would be obliged to hide his head. But µybr rabbim, which we translate multitude, sometimes signifies the great, chiefs, or mighty ones; and is so understood by some eminent critics in this place: "Thou shalt not follow the example of the great or rich, who may so far disgrace their own character as to live without God in the world, and trample under foot his laws." It is supposed that these directions refer principally to matters which come under the eye of the civil magistrate; as if he had said, "Do not join with great men in condemning an innocent or righteous person, against whom they have conceived a prejudice on the account of his religion," &c.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - In the law of Moses are very plain marks of sound moral feeling, and of true political wisdom. Every thing in it is suited to the desired an avowed object, the worship of one only God, and the separation of Israel from the pagan world. Neither parties, friends, witnesses, no common opinions, must move us to lessen great faults, to aggravat small ones, excuse offenders, accuse the innocent, or misrepresent an thing.
Original Hebrew לא3808 תהיה1961 אחרי310 רבים7227 לרעת7451 ולא3808 תענה6030 על5921 רב7379 לנטת5186 אחרי310 רבים7227 להטת׃5186
