Bigger Than a Man

(Pro 17:23 KJV)  A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

One of the recurring forms we find in Bible translations is the insertion of words like “man” in the English that are not in the Hebrew.  We also see this with the word “is”.  While it does not necessarily take away from the meaning of the verse it does give people who are looking for excuses something to grab hold of.  It is technically more accurate to say here, “the wicked” instead of “wicked man”.  “Wicked” (7563) is definitely in the Hebrew and that is the point.  Wicked people can be bought off instead of insisting on “justice” (4941).

The buying off can take many forms as we are seeing in our culture today.  It can be in immediate payment, a future promise or even threats against the family.  

So?  Recognize evil in its many forms.  Bribes are evil even when they are sugar coated.  As Christians we should be making judgements in life based on what is right and wrong, not on what benefits us.