Proverbs 17:23 - Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

Audio Bible

Context

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
…22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. 23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. 24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.…

Cross References

Exodus 23:8
Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.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.Isaiah 5:23
who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”1 Samuel 8:3
But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.Psalm 26:10
in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.Psalm 15:5
who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.Ecclesiastes 7:7
Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.Amos 5:12
For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.Luke 11:42
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.Acts 8:18-23
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. / “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” / But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! ...James 5:1-6
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...

Proverbs 17:8
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

Proverbs 18:16
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Proverbs 21:14
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

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Proverbs 17

A wicked man
This phrase identifies the subject as someone morally corrupt or evil. In biblical terms, wickedness is often associated with those who reject God's laws and pursue their own sinful desires. The Bible frequently contrasts the wicked with the righteous, emphasizing the consequences of wickedness (Psalm 1:4-6). The wicked are often depicted as those who oppose God's will and exploit others for personal gain.

takes a covert bribe
The act of taking a bribe is condemned throughout Scripture as it perverts justice and integrity (Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19). A bribe is typically a secretive transaction, indicating deceit and corruption. In ancient Israel, justice was a communal responsibility, and bribery undermined the social and legal order. The covert nature of the bribe suggests a deliberate attempt to hide wrongdoing, reflecting a heart that is not aligned with God's truth.

to subvert the course of justice
Justice is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's character as just and righteous (Isaiah 61:8). Subverting justice is a serious offense because it distorts truth and harms the community. The Hebrew legal system was designed to protect the innocent and punish the guilty, and any action that undermines this system is seen as an affront to God. This phrase highlights the destructive impact of sin on society, as it leads to chaos and suffering. The call for justice is echoed in the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized mercy, truth, and righteousness (Matthew 23:23).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Wicked Man
This refers to an individual who acts immorally or unjustly, often in opposition to God's laws. In the context of this verse, the wicked man is someone who accepts bribes, indicating a corrupt character.

2. Covert Bribe
A secret or hidden payment given to influence someone's actions, particularly in a way that is dishonest or unethical. The term "covert" suggests deceit and a lack of transparency.

3. Course of Justice
This phrase refers to the fair and impartial administration of the law. The wicked man's actions are aimed at undermining this process, leading to injustice.

Teaching Points

Integrity in Leadership
Leaders and those in positions of authority must uphold justice and resist the temptation of bribes. Integrity is essential for maintaining trust and fairness in society.

The Corrupting Power of Money
Money, when used unethically, can corrupt individuals and systems. Christians are called to be vigilant against the love of money, which can lead to all kinds of evil.

Transparency and Accountability
In both personal and professional life, transparency and accountability are crucial to prevent corruption. Christians should strive to live in the light, avoiding secretive and dishonest practices.

The Importance of Justice
Justice is a core value in the Bible, reflecting God's character. Believers are encouraged to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, ensuring that their actions align with His standards.

Guarding Against Temptation
Everyone faces temptations, but Christians are called to stand firm and resist actions that would lead them away from God's will, including the temptation to accept or offer bribes.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 17What does the Bible say about accepting bribes?What does the Bible say about bribery?How does the Bible define perversion?What does the Bible say about bribery?

(23) A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom.--Or rather, receives it. "From the bosom" signifies the folds of the dress in which the bribe was concealed, ready to be slipped into the judge's hand whose favour was to be bought.

Verse 23. - A gift out of the bosom; i.e. secretly from the fold of the garment, and not from the purse or bag wherein money was ostensibly carried. A corrupt judge "taketh," i.e. receives a bribe conveyed to him secretly (Proverbs 21:14). To pervert the ways of judgment. The judges had no appointed salaries; hence the unprincipled among them were open to bribery. The strict injunctions of the Law, and the stern denunciations of the prophets, were alike ineffectual in checking corruption (see Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; Isaiah 1:23; Jeremiah 22:17; Ezekiel 13:19; Hosea 4:18, etc.). Septuagint, "The man that receiveth gifts in his bosom unjustly, his ways shall not prosper." For, as Job avows (Job 15:34), "Fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery." The LXX. adds, "The impious turns aside from the ways of righteousness." Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

A wicked [man]
רָשָׁ֣ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

takes
יִקָּ֑ח (yiq·qāḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a covert
מֵ֭חֵיק (mê·ḥêq)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2436: The bosom

bribe
שֹׁ֣חַד (šō·ḥaḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7810: A present, bribe

to subvert
לְ֝הַטּ֗וֹת (lə·haṭ·ṭō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

the course
אָרְח֥וֹת (’ā·rə·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 734: A well-trodden road, a caravan

of justice.
מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

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Proverbs 17:23 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man receives a bribe (Prov. Pro Pr)