Exodus 23:3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.

Exodus 23:3 nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute.

3. countenance--adorn, embellish--thou shalt not varnish the cause even of a poor man to give it a better coloring than it merits.

JFB.

Exodus 23 Images and Notes

Brief Summary: This chapter continues and concludes the acts that passed in the first session (if I may so call it) upon mount Sinai. Here are, I. Some laws of universal obligation, relating especially to the ninth commandment, against bearing false witness (v. 1), and giving false judgment (v. 2, v. 3, v. 6-8). Also a law of doing good to our enemies (v. 4, v. 5), and not oppressing strangers (v. 9). II. Some laws peculiar to the Jews. The sabbatical year (v. 10, v. 11), the three annual feasts (v. 14-17), with some laws pertaining thereto. III. Gracious promises of the completing of the mercy God had begun for them, upon condition of their obedience. That God would conduct them through the wilderness (v. 20-24), that he would prosper all they had (v. 25, v. 26), that he would put them in possession of Canaan (v. 27-31). But they must not mingle themselves with the nations (v. 32, v. 33).

Outline

Laws against falsehood and injustice. (1-9)
The year of rest, The sabbath, The three festivals. (10-19)
God promises to conduct the Israelites to Canaan. (20-33)

Photo of the Sinai Wilderness