Bible Encyclopedias
Bribery

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

brı̄b´ẽr -i ( שׁחד , shōḥadh , "a gift," in a corrupt sense, "a bribe"): The Hebrew law condemns everything that would tend to impair the impartial administration of justice, particularly the giving and receiving of gifts or bribes, in order to pervert judgment (Exodus 23:8 ). Allusions are frequent to the prevailing corruption of oriental judges and rulers. "And fire shall consume the tents of bribery" (Job 15:34; 1 Samuel 8:3; Psalm 26:10; Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 33:15; Ezekiel 22:12 ). Samuel speaks of a "ransom" in the sense of a bribe: "Of whose hand have I taken a ransom (כּפר , kōpher , "covering," the King James Version "bribe") to blind mine eyes therewith?" (1 Samuel 12:3; Amos 5:12; compare Amos 2:6 ). See CRIMES; JUSTICE; PUNISHMENTS .