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Deuteronomy 16:19

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 16:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou shalt not wrest justice: thou shalt not respect persons; neither shalt thou take a bribe; for a bribe doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou shalt not wrest justice: thou shalt not respect persons; neither shalt thou take a bribe; for a bribe doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Deuteronomy 16:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose: in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before Jehovah empty:
17every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of Jehovah thy God which he hath given thee.
18Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, according to thy tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
19Thou shalt not wrest justice: thou shalt not respect persons; neither shalt thou take a bribe; for a bribe doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
20That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.
21Thou shalt not plant thee an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of Jehovah thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
22Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar; which Jehovah thy God hateth.
← Deuteronomy 16:18Deuteronomy 16:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou shall not wrest judgment, etc.] Or pervert it, pass a wrong sentence, or act contrary to justice; this is said to the judges as a direction to them, and so what follows: thou shalt not respect persons; so as to give the cause on account of outward circumstances and relations; as in favour of a rich man against a poor man merely for that reason, or of a near relation or intimate friend and acquaintance against a stranger, but justice should be administered without favour or affection to any; as Jarchi puts it, he was to make no difference in his address and behaviour to contending parties before him; he was not to be tender and soft to one and hard to the other, or let one stand and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“These verses are closely connected in subject with the following chapter, and introduce certain directions for the administration of justice and the carrying on of the civil government of the people in Canaan. During the lifetime of Moses, he himself, especially inspired and guided by God, was sufficient, with the aid of the subordinate judges (compare Exodus 18:13 ff), for the duties in question. But now that Moses was to be withdrawn, and the people would soon be scattered up and down the land of Canaan, regular and permanent provision must be made for civil and social order and good government. Deuteronomy 16:21 A grove ... - Render, Thou shalt not plant for thee any tree as an idol:…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wrest judgment - Not give an unjust sentence. A gift doth blind the eyes - Biasseth his mind, that he cannot discern between right and wrong. The words - That is the sentence, of those judges who are used to do righteous things, it makes them give wrong judgment. Deuteronomy 16:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:19 show partiality: See study note on 1:16-17.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“wrest: Deu 24:17, Deu 27:19; Exo 23:2, Exo 23:6-8; Lev 19:15; Sa1 8:3, Sa1 12:3; Job 31:21, Job 31:22; Pro 17:23; Ecc 7:7; Isa 1:17, Isa 1:23, Isa 33:15; Jer 5:28; Eze 22:12; Mic 7:3; Hab 1:4; Zep 3:3-5; Act 16:37, Act 23:3 respect: Deu 1:16, Deu 1:17, Deu 10:17; Exo 23:7, Exo 23:8; Pro 24:23, Pro 24:28; Act 10:34 words: or, matters Deuteronomy 16:20”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification