Meaning
Bribery brib'-er-i (shochadh, "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 (Ex 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, 1Sa 8:3, Psa 26:10, Isa 1:23, Isa 33:15, Eze 22:12). Samuel speaks of a "ransom" in the sense of a bribe: "Of whose hand have I taken a ransom (kopher, "covering," the King James Version "bribe") to blind mine eyes therewith?" (1Sa 12:3, Amo 5:12; compare Am 2:6).
See CRIMES; JUSTICE; PUNISHMENTS.
L. Kaiser
