Bribed
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In the biblical context, the concept of bribery is consistently portrayed as a corrupt and unjust practice that undermines justice and righteousness. The act of bribing involves offering money, gifts, or other forms of inducement to influence the actions or decisions of someone in a position of authority or responsibility. The Bible addresses the issue of bribery in various passages, highlighting its moral and ethical implications.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains numerous admonitions against bribery, emphasizing its destructive impact on justice and fairness. 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 underscores the corrupting influence of bribes, which can distort judgment and lead to injustice.

Deuteronomy 16:19 further reinforces this principle: "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 in judicial proceedings, warning that bribery compromises the ability to discern truth and administer justice.

The prophet Samuel, in his farewell address to the Israelites, highlights his own integrity by declaring that he has not accepted bribes: "Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to overlook something? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right" (1 Samuel 12:3). Samuel's statement serves as a model of righteous leadership, free from the taint of corruption.

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 highlights the clandestine nature of bribery and its role in perverting justice. Similarly, 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 contrasts the destructive consequences of greed and bribery with the blessings of integrity.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets of Israel frequently condemned the practice of bribery as part of their broader critique of social injustice. Isaiah 1:23 laments the corruption of Jerusalem's leaders: "Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them." This indictment highlights the failure of leaders to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable due to their greed and corruption.

Micah 3:11 similarly denounces the leaders of Israel: "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 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 account of Jesus' trial, the chief priests and elders are depicted as seeking false testimony against Jesus, an act that can be seen as a form of bribery to achieve their unjust ends (Matthew 26:59).

The apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in the life of a believer. In 2 Corinthians 8:21, he writes, "We are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men." This commitment to righteousness and transparency stands in stark contrast to the corrupting influence of bribery.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, bribery is consistently condemned as a practice that undermines justice, distorts truth, and corrupts individuals and societies. The biblical call is for integrity, impartiality, and righteousness, reflecting the character of God and His desire for justice and fairness in human affairs.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(imp. & p. p.) of Bribe.
Library

The Justice of God
... Men may act unjustly, because they are bribed or forced: God will not be bribed,
because of his justice; he cannot be forced, because of his power. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 the justice of god.htm

The Task of Modern Idealists Indeed is Made Much Too Easy for them ...
... will be a protection against political corruption. The English statesman
is bribed not to be bribed. He is born with a silver spoon ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 5 the task of.htm

The First Christian Martyr
... On several occasions they had bribed the Roman authorities to pass over without
comment instances where the Jews had taken the law into their own hands and had ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 10 the first christian.htm

First Impressions
... Tennyson. On February 26, 398, the humble Presbyter of Antioch attained the dignity
for which so many had longed, intrigued, and bribed, and which myriads of ...
/.../chapter xx first impressions.htm

Prolonged Agony
... Their leader, Lucius, had been bidden by Arcadius to abstain from extremes; but
as they would not disperse, he was bribed by Severian and Acacius to use force. ...
/.../chapter l prolonged agony.htm

ecce Iterum Crispinus!'
... Church"and that is saying a good deal when one thinks of Severian, John the Deacon,
Antoninus of Ephesus, the sorcerer Gerontius, the bribed liar Eusebius of ...
/.../chapter xliii ecce iterum crispinus.htm

Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
... defeated. False witnesses had been bribed to accuse Jesus of inciting
rebellion and seeking to establish a separate government. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 75 before annas and.htm

The Vengeance of Heaven
... Does it not content thee?' he said. 'See, how rich we are! How useful we found
it, you and I. How we bribed the Alexandrian officials with it. ...
/.../chapter lx the vengeance of.htm

False Witnesses
... They had, however, bribed an abandoned wretch of the town to enter while the council
was sitting and accuse Eustathius before all present of a scandalous crime ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 5 false witnesses.htm

The Advance of Xerxes into Greece.
... of the Athenians."Eurybiades appointed commander."Debates in the Greek
council."Dismay of the Euboeans."The Greek leaders bribed."Precautions of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter viii the advance of.htm

Thesaurus
Bribed (2 Occurrences)
...Bribed (2 Occurrences). Matthew 28:12 So the latter held a conference with the Elders,
and after consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers, (WEY). ...
/b/bribed.htm - 7k

Bribery (2 Occurrences)

/b/bribery.htm - 8k

Bribe (27 Occurrences)

/b/bribe.htm - 15k

Noadiah (2 Occurrences)
... Being bribed by them, she tried to stir up discontent among the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and so to embarrass Nehemiah in his great work of rebuilding the ...
/n/noadiah.htm - 8k

Latter (91 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 28:12 So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after
consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers, (WEY). ...
/l/latter.htm - 34k

Incorruptible (8 Occurrences)
... as, gold is incorruptible. 2. (a.) Incapable of being bribed or morally
corrupted; inflexibly just and upright. 3. (n.) One of a ...
/i/incorruptible.htm - 9k

Delilah (7 Occurrences)
... She was bribed by the "lords of the Philistines" to obtain from Samson the secret
of his strength and the means of overcoming it (Judges 16:4-18). ...
/d/delilah.htm - 10k

Menelaus
... Menelaus bribed Ptolemy, son of Dorymenes, to win over the king to acquit himself
and secure the execution of "those hapless men, who, if they had pleaded even ...
/m/menelaus.htm - 9k

Bought (66 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The part of a sling that contains the stone. 3. (v.) imp. & pp of
Buy. 4. (pa) Purchased; bribed. 5. (imp. & pp) of Buy. Int. ...
/b/bought.htm - 28k

Corruptible (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Capable of being bribed; subject to
decay or impurity. 2. (a.) Capable of being corrupted, or ...
/c/corruptible.htm - 8k

Resources
What does the Bible say about bribery / giving or receiving a bribe? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about integrity? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Samson in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bribed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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