Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 23:2
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:
2. Not to follow a majority blindly for evil purposes, or, in particular to pervert justice.
to do evil ] lit. into evil things.
speak ] answer (in a court of law), i.e. bear witness (RVm.), as Exo 20:16. The Heb. ‘nh never means simply to ‘speak.’
to turn aside after ] Jdg 9:3 Heb., 1Sa 8:3, 1Ki 2:28 Heb.
to wrest ] or, as the same word is rendered in v. 6 and elsewhere, to pervert (lit. to turn aside): see Deu 16:19; Deu 24:17; Deu 27:19 , 1Sa 8:3, Lam 3:35. (To ‘turn aside’ a man from his right is also said (sometimes with ‘from his right’ omitted): Isa 10:2; Isa 29:21, Amo 5:12, Pro 18:5, Mal 3:5). The text of this verse is in parts suspicious: but no doubt the same general sense was always expressed by it.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Exo 23:2
Thou shalt not fellow a multitude to do evil.
Following the multitude prohibited
I. Explain the nature of this precept.
1. It is here assumed that the multitude do evil. This may be inferred–
(1) From the review of past ages.
(2) From the cruel persecutions which have been raised against the righteous in various ages of the world.
(3) From the common conduct of mankind. Is not vice more general than virtue?
2. Secondly, the precept in the text supposes that we are in danger of copying the example of the multitude. We may infer this–
(1) From the innate tendencies we have to evil.
(2) From the prevalence of bad example.
3. From a variety of melancholy facts. The multitude who now do evil were not always such adepts in depravity; when they first entered into the broad way their feet were not swift to do evil; they proceeded with hesitating steps, but by practice became hardened in crime.
II. Urge reasons to induce us to observe it. The multitude doing evil should not be imitated, because they are–
1. Unlawful and unconstituted guides.
2. Bad guides.
3. Dishonourable guides.
4. Unprofitable guides.
5. Dangerous guides.
III. Impart advice for the direction of those who wish to escape the ensnaring wiles of the multitude.
1. Get your minds deeply and thoroughly impressed with the awfulness of your situation. Dangers unseen will be unavoided.
2. Seek the regenerating grace of God.
3. Be on your guard against the seductive wiles and insinuating influence of the multitude. Sinners will entice you; but come out from among them; have no communion with the unfruitful works of darkness (Psa 1:1).
4. Follow the happy few who strive to do good. Show that you are with Christ by being with His people. Oh, say, This people shall be my people, and their God my God. Inferences–
(1) That the measures of right and wrong are not to be determined by the majority. Good and evil are fixed immutable principles; and their natures are unchangeable, whether many or few follow them.
(2) What gratitude is due to God for the revelation of His will, which marks the boundaries of right and wrong; and for the gift of His Son to redeem us from this present evil world: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Sketches of Sermons.)
Individual responsibility
There is, I suppose, no doctrine more clearly set forth in Scripture than the doctrine of personal responsibility. There is no doctrine more readily owned, no doctrine more insisted upon by men. Yet I think I can show you that, in its application to a great number of particular cases, you would not only act as though you disbelieved it, but you would unconsciously maintain in words doctrines directly opposed to it. The words which I have just read to you suggest one of the most universally employed modes of denying this universally received doctrine of individual responsibility. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil, was said long ago by the Jewish law. I think you will find that the present condition of things, in whatever place or class we are thinking of, grew up from something very small, and that by degrees the sin acquired strength from the power and position, and then from the mere number of its perpetrators, until in time it acquired positive dignity and became correct, or according to the absurd modern phraseology, became good form, from the multitude of transgressors. I will begin with the sex which since the creation of the world has almost uniformly carried its point against the opposite sex, and which, nevertheless, is still facetiously called the weaker. They will, I believe, if you ask them, readily own themselves responsible for their use of time and of money. Well, they certainly spend an excessive amount of the latter, money, as I daresay their husbands know, in purchasing; and of the former, time, as everybody knows, in adjusting those ever-changing and most cumbrous absurdities which they pile upon themselves, and with which they surround themselves to the general inconvenience of everybody and everywhere. They do this until I should think they must feel uncomfortable, and I know that they look deformed. Why do they do it? Ask any one, and you will hear it all condemned at once, solemnly, perhaps piously condemned at once, the responsibility being shifted immediately from the individual to fashion, and that is to everybody. What does all that mean? Their conscience is relieved by the multitude whom they follow. Let us go a little further and take another view of the matter. Public bodies, I believe, parliaments, ministries, corporations, town commissioners, Poor Law guardians, boards of all kinds, and committees of all kinds, are known–every one of you knows it as well as I do–to be guilty of neglect of duties and violations of honour of which none of their members singly, in private transactions, would for one moment be capable. Take another set of instances. Look at the recognized dishonesties of different trades and businesses. The man who keeps light weights for selling, and heavy weights for buying, as I once knew a most pious man do; the man who adulterates food; the man who puts bad work or bad material where it is not to be detected; the servant who robs his master in the usual way; the workman who to no greater extent than others of his craft plunders his employer; none of these desire by any means, I fancy, to have their children taught at school that the Eighth Commandment has no meaning. They like to hear it every Sunday. Why? Because they have an unwritten tradition in the craft or trade, by which it is dispensed with. But I am going into more dangerous ground now. In the present day, the multitude has come to be considered something more than an excuser of deviations from strict principles in the ordinary affairs of life. It is beginning to assume the functions of the highest authority on religious matters. To call in question its decision, or refuse submission to its commands, no matter how uninstructed it may be, is coming to be viewed in the light of standing up against an inspired prophet. It does not occur to the thoughtless throng, who will rush anywhere to hear anybody, or to see anything, that when the multitude appears to have taken a pious turn it can be wrong to follow it whithersoever it leads. It does not seem to occur to them that when the multitude is longing to take Jesus by force and make Him a king, it may have just as little perception of His mission as when it clamorously demands His crucifixion. No, they are afraid to gainsay what the multitude asserts; they are afraid to do anything but echo its assertions, and thus each one among a multitude perpetuates the delusion of the others as to his real opinion, by being afraid to say it out, and act in conformity with it. This is the very spirit by which multitudes are created, by which they are enabled to assume formidable proportions, to become powerful for evil. The silence of cowardice is regarded as satisfactory consent, and everybodys echo of what everybody else says is vaunted as the concurrence of numerous independent testimonies. Persons of this kind are the genuine followers of the multitude who are condemned in the text. (J. C. Coghlan, D. D.)
The sin of following the multitude to do evil
I. It implies that the majority or great mass of mankind are uniformly and constantly engaged in doing evil.
II. The prohibition which we are considering implies that every person is naturally disposed to follow a multitude to do evil.
III. The prohibition in the text implies that those are altogether criminal who, follow the evil examples of evil-doers, though they are the great majority of mankind. For–
1. They are free and voluntary in following the examples of those who do evil.
2. Every person acts contrary to his reason and conscience in following a multitude to do evil, which renders him altogether criminal and inexcusable.
Conclusion:
1. If men are apt to follow bad examples, as has been said, then there is reason to think that bad examples are the great source of moral corruption in every part of the world.
2. If men are naturally disposed to follow the multitude to do evil, then the truly godly have much more concern in spreading moral corruption, and obstructing the cause of religion than they are apt to imagine.
3. Since men are naturally disposed to follow the bad examples of the multitude, it is easy to see why a people, declining in religion, are so apt to be insensible of their religious declensions. The minority are blended with the majority, and they are all imperceptibly declining together.
4. If all men are naturally disposed to follow the multitude to do evil, then the rising generation are always in a peculiarly dangerous situation.
5. If it be criminal to follow bad examples, it must be far more criminal to set bad examples.
6. If men are naturally disposed to follow the multitude to do evil, then every one in a state of nature has a great reason to fear that he shall live and die in his present unsanctified and impenitent state. Your belonging to the majority will not help you to turn about, but powerfully tend to hinder you. What will you say when He punishes you? (N. Emmons, D. D.)
Multirude no prevailing argument
The Lord that made us knoweth our mould and how easily we are persuaded to taste of the forbidden fruit, and how prone to be carried headlong to error, and therefore gives us a caveat, and sets a bar and stop in our way, that we run not to evil because we see others run or lead the way before us. And we shall do well by the way to take notice of our own corruption, as the Lord doth, that in the same we may see the necessity of this precept; for first, nature corrupt is as attractive of evil as the adamant naturally draws iron; just as a spark to tinder or gunpowder. Secondly, evil is diffusive of itself, and such an acquaintance there is between it and us, as the plague cannot so easily infect our bodies as sin doth poison and suddenly infect our souls. Thirdly, our nature is social, and not as the brutes; we readily thrust into company, and therefore being naturally enemies to solitariness, we are ready to follow if any one lead us the way; but if many or a multitude (as here) then we run, and for haste never stay to reason the case, neither in what way nor upon what errand. And, therefore, the Lord would have His people to fence themselves with a rule of prudence, that they be not misled by the crooked steps of others and their own perverse inclinations.
1. One reason is in the text: because a multitude may err and run to evil, and may decline to overthrow truth.
2. Multitudes cannot make that to be good which is evil in itself, neither in doctrine nor manners; well they may make an evil worse, but none better.
3. Multitudes cannot keep off the revenge of evil; one evil mate may help his fellow into sin, but cannot help him out of punishment,
4. Multitudes and most men are commonly the worst. The way to hell is broad and the gate wide that leads to destruction, and many go in thereat (Mat 7:13). Hell enlargeth itself (Isa 5:14). Tophet is large and wide (Exo 30:33). And therefore it cannot be the safest way which the most walk in. Contrarily, the fewest are commonly the best; pearls are rare; many hundred false prophets to one poor Micaiah; Gods part in the world was ever but a gleaning and a small remnant; and the apostle (1Jn 5:19) pronounceth in the name of believers, We know we are of God, and the whole world lieth in unrighteousness.
5. It is better to walk the right way alone than to wander out of the way with company; better go to heaven alone, or with a few, than with multitudes to hell.
Come we now to application of this point.
1. If it be so dangerous to follow a multitude to evil, what a fearful thing it is to lead a multitude to evil! as the magistrate that enacts and commands evil; like Jeroboam that made all Israel to sin. Or the minister that shall be weak as another man by whose example many are corrupted, through loose speeches, unseemly behaviours, libertine courses, fellowship with the abject, opposing the persons and strict courses of such as fear God.
2. See how desperately many men frame their courses while they live as if to do as the most do, were a good and warrantable plea. Because the most are irreligious, without the fear of God, and without conscience: so are they. The most scorn to attend Gods ordinance: so do they. Commit a felony, riot, robbery, or rebellion with a multitude, and try if in thy trial before the judge it will be a good plea to say, I was led, and followed the multitude. What then would you have us to do? In matters of faith build upon a surer foundation than upon numbers and multitudes, whom it was never safe to follow; nor was it ever a good argument either of the truth or true Church. In Christs time the multitude followed the Scribes and Pharisees, but not Christ nor His apostles; and all the multitude cried, Crucify Him. And how uncertain a rule this is the father tells us who observed, that in synods and councils the greater side doth oftentimes overcome the better; and another who saith, that in all Divine cases we must not number voices, but weigh them. What sure ground can be expected from the rude multitude, than which nothing is more fickle and uncertain? But we have a surer word, Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone (Eph 2:20; 1Co 3:11). And we say as Hushai to Absolom (2Sa 16:18) Nay, but whom the Lord and this people, and all the men of Israel chose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. (T. Taylor, D. D.)
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil
I. Imitation is one of the great characteristics of the human species. The same passion that impels us to society, impels us to take part with our companions in their interests and inclinations. Insensibly and without thought we fall into their customs and their manners; we adopt their sentiments, their passions, and even their foibles, and follow the same course as if we were actuated by the same spirit.
II. By what means we are to keep ourselves from following a multitude to do evil.
1. Let us be early and firmly established in the principles of an holy faith. It is education chiefly that forms the human character; and it is a virtuous and religious education that forms the character.
2. Let us beware with what company we associate.
3. Let us acquire firmness and fortitude of mind. (James Logan.)
The multitude an unsafe guide
It is said of the roes and hinds that they are most tender and fearful of all beasts, affrighted with any noise, checked with the least foil, turned out of course with the snapping of a stick, presently make head another way, and when they are once out of their wonted walk they run they know not whither, even to their own death. Such is the natural disposition of the multitude or common people, soon stirred up, quickly awry, sometimes running full head one way, on a sudden turned as much another, easily set agog, delighted with novelties. (J. Spencer.)
The multitude not to be followed
Said Horace Bushnell to his younger brother, who had been to a cheap show and came home crestfallen, The next time that you see the whole world doing something, be sure not to go with them unless you have some better reason. That was the germ of manly independence out of which the sturdy manhood of that remarkable thinker grew. The sooner a young man learns that there are in this world more silly people than wise, more weak than strong, the better his chances of being a man.
Custom not the standard of right
Know that the Lord has set apart him that is godly for Himself. Therefore it is no excuse for him to say, I do but as others do. He is to reckon his hours by the sun, not the town clock; to take Gods direction, not the vice of the multitudes, as one of their stamp and at liberty to comply with their fashions. (T. Mantan, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil] Be singular. Singularity, if in the right, can never be criminal. So completely disgraceful is the way of sin, that if there were not a multitude walking in that way, who help to keep each other in countenance, every solitary sinner would be obliged to hide his head. But rabbim, which we translate multitude, sometimes signifies the great, chiefs, or mighty ones; and is so understood by some eminent critics in this place: “Thou shalt not follow the example of the great or rich, who may so far disgrace their own character as to live without God in the world, and trample under foot his laws.” It is supposed that these directions refer principally to matters which come under the eye of the civil magistrate; as if he had said, “Do not join with great men in condemning an innocent or righteous person, against whom they have conceived a prejudice on the account of his religion,” &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Thou shalt not follow a multitude, either their counsel or example. But the Hebrew rabbin both here and in the following clause is by some rendered great men, men in power and authority, whom we are commanded not to follow. And as the word is thus used Job 32:9; Jer 41:1, so this sense may seem most probable,
1. Because in the last clause he speaks of causes or controversies, as the Hebrew rib signifies; and matters of judgment, which were not determined by the multitude, but by great men.
2. Because these are opposed to the poor in the next verse.
3. Because the examples of such men are most prevalent.
To do evil, either in general or particular, to work mischief, to oppress or crush another.
Neither shalt thou speak, Heb. answer, when thou art summoned as a witness in any cause.
To wrest judgment, or to turn aside right, or to pervert
thyself the verb being taken reciprocally, as hiphil is oft put for hithpahel; or, which is all one, to do perverserly, i.e. unrighteously.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. declinedepart, deviatefrom the straight path of rectitude.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil,…. The Targums of Jerusalem and Jonathan add, but to do good. As in private life, the examples of the many, who are generally the most wicked, are not to be followed, though they too often are; examples, and especially of the multitude, having great influence, and therefore to be guarded against; so in public courts of judicature, where there are many judges upon the bench, if one of them is sensible that the greater part go wrong in their judgment of a case, he ought not to follow them, or be influenced by them, but go according to the dictates of his own conscience, and the evidence of things as they appear to him, and neither agree to justify the wicked, nor condemn the righteous:
neither shall thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment; or “thou shalt not answer” r; either in pleading in a cause, and taking the side of it the majority is on, and for that reason, though it is a manifest perversion of justice; or by giving a vote on that side, and on that account, whereby a wrong judgment passes; and this vote given either according to the number of witnesses, which ought not always to be the rule of judgment; for it is not the number of witnesses, but the nature, evidence, and circumstances of their testimony, that are to be regarded: Jarchi says, in judgments of life and death, they go after the mouth of one witness to absolve, and after the mouth of two to condemn: or according to the number of judges on the bench, and their superiority in years and knowledge; and so some render the word, “after the great ones” s; for a judge is not to be influenced by names or numbers in giving his vote, but to judge according to the truth of things, as they appear to him: hence the Jews say, that the younger or puisne judges used to be asked their judgment first, that they might not be influenced by others superior to them; and a like method is taken with us in the trial of a peer, the younger lords always giving their opinion first: as to the number of votes by which a cause was carried in court, it is said t, not as the decline to good, is the decline to evil; the decline to good, i.e. to absolution, is by the sentence of one (a majority of one); the decline to evil, i.e. to condemnation, is by the mouth or sentence of two, a majority of two.
r “neque respondeas”, Tigurine version; “non respondebis”, Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius. s “post potentiores”, Junius Tremellius “post magnos”, Lyra, Cartwright. t Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 1. sect. 6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 2, 3:
This law forbids following the majority, to do evil. “The majority is always right,” is a false proverb. The “majority” demanded Jesus’ death. The “majority” is hell-bound, Mt 7:13, 14.
The second clause in v. 2 applies to judges. A judge is not to hand down a ruling in a case based upon “accepted community standards,” or upon what the majority does.
Verse 3 forbids any undue favoring of the poor, merely because they are poor, see Le 19:15. Justice is to be dispensed without favoring either the rich or the poor.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(2) Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil . . . It is perhaps true that the offence especially condemned is joining with a majority in an unrighteous judgment; but the words of the precept extend much further than this, and forbid our being carried away by numbers or popularity in any case. Vox populi vox Dei is a favourite maxim with many, but Scripture nowhere sanctions it. Job boasts that he did not fear a great multitude (Job. 31:34). David says that the ten thousands of the people set themselves against him round about (Psa. 3:6). The prophets had always the multitude against them. Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, said our blessed Lord, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. But wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat Mat. 7:13-14). We must be prepared to face unpopularity if we would walk in accordance with the Law of God.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Speak in a cause Literally, answer in a controversy (suit at law) to turn away after many, to pervert . This law, like that of the preceding and the following verse is mainly directed against giving false testimony in judicial proceedings, and so perverting justice and truth .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 23:2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil As the former verse, no less than the latter part of this and the third, refers to testimony and judgment, one would imagine, that this also must have a more limited sense than the words bear in our version. Houbigant renders the whole verse thus: thou shalt not be a follower of great men to do evil: neither shalt thou so answer in a cause, as to decline to sin, after great men; (Exo 23:3.) but neither shalt thou honour or countenance a poor man in his cause. rabim, which we render multitude and many, undoubtedly signifies, as Houbigant renders it, great ones, or great men, and is clearly opposed to dal, a poor man, in the third verse. So that, upon this version, the meaning of the law is this: that no person, in legal suits, and especially as witnesses in such suits, were to be influenced, either by the favour of the great, or by false compassion for the poor. In the 6th and following verses, laws to the same purpose are laid down for judges, as in these for witnesses and private persons.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
For the propriety of this, see the gospel. Mat 7:13-14 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:
Ver. 2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude. ] The way to hell is broad and well beaten. Per viam publicam ne ingredere, was one of Pythagoras’s precepts. Do not as the most do, lest thou be undone for ever. Argumentum turpissimum est turba, saith Seneca. To live “according to the course of the world” is to be acted by the devil. Eph 2:2
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
evil-injury. Hebrew. r’a ‘ a. See App-44.
speak = testify.
decline = “turn away [and follow]”. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6. a).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
follow: Exo 32:1-5, Gen 6:12, Gen 7:1, Gen 19:4, Gen 19:7-9, Num 14:1-10, Jos 24:15, 1Sa 15:9, 1Ki 19:10, Job 31:34, Pro 1:10, Pro 1:11, Pro 1:15, Pro 4:14, Mat 27:24-26, Mar 15:15, Luk 23:23, Luk 23:24, Luk 23:51, Joh 7:50, Joh 7:51, Act 24:27, Act 25:9, Rom 1:32, Gal 2:11-13
speak: or, answer
to decline: Exo 23:6, Exo 23:7, Lev 19:15, Deu 1:17, Psa 72:2, Jer 37:15, Jer 37:21, Jer 38:5, Jer 38:6, Jer 38:9, Eze 9:9, Hag 1:4
Reciprocal: Exo 18:21 – such as Deu 1:16 – Hear Deu 12:31 – Thou Deu 16:19 – wrest Deu 24:17 – pervert Deu 27:19 – General Jdg 6:31 – Will ye plead 1Sa 15:24 – I feared 1Ki 21:11 – did as Jezebel Job 13:8 – General Pro 11:21 – hand Pro 28:21 – respect Hab 1:4 – wrong Mar 12:14 – for thou Act 23:21 – do not Rom 12:2 – be not 2Pe 3:16 – wrest 3Jo 1:11 – follow
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 23:2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude Either their counsel or their example; to do evil General usage will never excuse us in any ill practice; nor is the broad way ever the safer for its being crowded. We must inquire what we ought to do, not what the most do; because we must be judged by our Master, not our fellow-servants; and it is too great a compliment to be willing to go to hell for company. Neither shalt thou speak in a cause Either to extenuate or excuse a great fault, aggravate a small one, vindicate an offender, charge guilt on an innocent person, put false glosses, or sinister interpretations upon things, or do any thing tending to procure an unjust sentence; to decline after many Either the friends of the party, the judges, the witnesses, or the opinions of the vulgar. The word , rabbim, in this verse rendered multitude and many, signifying also great men, some prefer the following translation of the verse, Thou shalt not follow great men to do evil neither shalt thou speak (Hebrew, answer) in a cause to decline after great men. This is a very important sense of the words: because the example of great men, of men of power, wealth, and authority, has great influence.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause {a} to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:
(a) Do that which is godly, though few favour it.