The Meaning of Exodus 23:1 Explained

Exodus 23:1

KJV: Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

YLT: 'Thou dost not lift up a vain report; thou dost not put thy hand with a wicked man to be a violent witness.

Darby: Thou shalt not accept a false report; extend not thy hand to the wicked, to be an unrighteous witness.

ASV: Thou shalt not take up a false report: put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou shalt not raise  a false  report:  put  not thine hand  with the wicked  to be an unrighteous  witness. 

What does Exodus 23:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 23:1-17 - Laws Of Conduct And Worship
We may apply these various precepts to our own hearts. Many of them breathe the very spirit of Christ. We must watch our speech, so that no man's character may suffer by our gossip or slander. We must dare to stand for the truth, though we stand absolutely alone. With all kindness and good will we must save our neighbor from damage, even though he has vented on us his spleen. It is never for us to take advantage of him; God will deal with him on our behalf, and in His own time and way. Let us not fret ourselves to do evil. David's example in refusing to injure Saul when his bitter enemy was within his reach is an inspiring example for us to follow. We must hold an even balance for just and honorable dealing with all men; and cultivate the Sabbath-keeping of the heart. In every life, also, there should be perpetual memory of Calvary, the Resurrection and Pentecost-the three feasts of the soul! [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 23

1  Of slander, false witness, and partiality
4  Of charitableness
6  Of justice in judgment
8  Of taking bribes
9  Of oppressing a stranger
10  Of the year of rest
12  Of the Sabbath
13  Of idolatry
14  Of the three feasts
18  Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice
20  An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him

What do the individual words in Exodus 23:1 mean?

Not You shall circulate a report FALSE Not do put your hand with the wicked to be an witness unrighteous -
לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֖א שֵׁ֣מַע שָׁ֑וְא אַל־ תָּ֤שֶׁת יָֽדְךָ֙ עִם־ רָשָׁ֔ע לִהְיֹ֖ת עֵ֥ד חָמָֽס ס

תִשָּׂ֖א  You  shall  circulate 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
שֵׁ֣מַע  a  report 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שֵׁמַע  
Sense: report, a hearing.
שָׁ֑וְא  FALSE 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׁוְא  
Sense: emptiness, vanity, falsehood.
תָּ֤שֶׁת  do  put 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
Root: שִׁית  
Sense: to put, set.
יָֽדְךָ֙  your  hand 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
רָשָׁ֔ע  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.
לִהְיֹ֖ת  to  be 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
עֵ֥ד  an  witness 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: עֵד  
Sense: witness.
חָמָֽס  unrighteous 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חָמָס  
Sense: violence, wrong, cruelty, injustice.
ס  - 
Parse: Punctuation