The Meaning of Exodus 23:2 Explained

Exodus 23:2

KJV: Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

YLT: Thou art not after many to evil, nor dost thou testify concerning a strife, to turn aside after many to cause others to turn aside;

Darby: Thou shalt not follow the multitude for evil; neither shalt thou answer in a cause, to go after the multitude to pervert judgment.

ASV: Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to wrest justice :

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou shalt not follow  a multitude  to [do] evil;  neither shalt thou speak  in a cause  to decline  after  many  to wrest  [judgment]: 

What does Exodus 23:2 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 23:2 mean?

Not You shall follow a crowd to do evil nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert [justice]
לֹֽא־ תִהְיֶ֥ה אַחֲרֵֽי־ רַבִּ֖ים לְרָעֹ֑ת וְלֹא־ תַעֲנֶ֣ה עַל־ רִ֗ב לִנְטֹ֛ת אַחֲרֵ֥י רַבִּ֖ים לְהַטֹּֽת

תִהְיֶ֥ה  You  shall 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
אַחֲרֵֽי־  follow 
Parse: Preposition
Root: אַחַר 
Sense: after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time).
רַבִּ֖ים  a  crowd 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
לְרָעֹ֑ת  to  do  evil 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine plural
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
וְלֹא־  nor 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
תַעֲנֶ֣ה  shall  you  testify 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: לְעַנּׄות 
Sense: to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout.
רִ֗ב  a  dispute 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רִיב 
Sense: strife, controversy, dispute.
לִנְטֹ֛ת  so  as  to  turn  aside 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: נָטָה 
Sense: to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow.
אַחֲרֵ֥י  after 
Parse: Preposition
Root: אַחַר 
Sense: after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time).
רַבִּ֖ים  many 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
לְהַטֹּֽת  to  pervert  [justice] 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: נָטָה 
Sense: to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow.