Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Thou shalt take no gift] A strong ordinance against selling justice, which has been the disgrace and ruin of every state where it has been practiced. In the excellent charter of British liberties called Magna Charta, there is one article expressly on this head: Nulli vendemus, nulli negabimus aut differemus, rectum aut justitiam. - Art. xxxiii. "To none will we sell, to none will we deny or defer, right or justice." This was the more necessary in those early and corrupt times, as he who had most money, and gave the largest presents (called then oblata) to the king or queen, was sure to gain his cause in the king's court; whether he had right and justice on his side or not.
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 ושׁחד7810 לא3808 תקח3947 כי3588 השׁחד7810 יעור5786 פקחים6493 ויסלף5557 דברי1697 צדיקים׃6662
