Exodus 23:5-7
New English Translation
5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen under its load, you must not ignore him,[a] but be sure to help[b] him with it.[c]
6 “You must not turn away justice for your poor people in their lawsuits. 7 Keep your distance[d] from a false charge[e]—do not kill the innocent and the righteous,[f] for I will not justify the wicked.[g]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Exodus 23:5 tn The line reads “you will cease to forsake him”—refrain from leaving your enemy without help.
- Exodus 23:5 tn The law is emphatic here as well, using the infinitive absolute and the imperfect of instruction (or possibly obligation). There is also a wordplay here: two words עָזַב (ʿazav) are used, one meaning “forsake” and the other possibly meaning “arrange” based on Arabic and Ugaritic evidence (see U. Cassuto, Exodus, 297-98).
- Exodus 23:5 sn See H. B. Huffmon, “Exodus 23:4-5: A Comparative Study,” A Light Unto My Path, 271-78.
- Exodus 23:7 tn Or “stay away from,” or “have nothing to do with.”
- Exodus 23:7 tn Heb “a false matter,” this expression in this context would have to be a case in law that was false or that could only be won by falsehood.
- Exodus 23:7 tn The two clauses probably should be related: the getting involved in the false charge could lead to the death of an innocent person (so, e.g., Naboth in 1 Kgs 21:10-13).
- Exodus 23:7 sn God will not declare right the one who is in the wrong. Society should also be consistent, but it cannot see the intents and motives, as God can.
Exodus 23:5-7
New International Version
5 If you see the donkey(A) of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.
6 “Do not deny justice(B) to your poor people in their lawsuits. 7 Have nothing to do with a false charge(C) and do not put an innocent(D) or honest person to death,(E) for I will not acquit the guilty.(F)
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