Bribery

brı̄b´ẽr -i ( שׁחד , shōḥadh , "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 ( Exodus 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; 1 Samuel 8:3; Psalm 26:10; Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 33:15; Ezekiel 22:12 ). Samuel speaks of a "ransom" in the sense of a bribe: "Of whose hand have I taken a ransom ( כּפר , kōpher , "covering," the King James Version "bribe") to blind mine eyes therewith?" ( 1 Samuel 12:3; Amos 5:12; compare Amos 2:6 ). See Crimes; Justice; Punishments .