BRIBERY

ISBE

brib'-er-i (shochadh, "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 ( Ex 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 ; 1Sa 8:3 ; Ps 26:10 ; Isa 1:23 ; 33:15 ; Eze 22:12 ). Samuel speaks of a "ransom" in the sense of a bribe: "Of whose hand have I taken a ransom (kopher, "covering," the King James Version "bribe") to blind mine eyes therewith?" ( 1Sa 12:3 ; Am 5:12 ; compare Am 2:6 ). See CRIMES ; JUSTICE ; PUNISHMENTS . L. Kaiser