Exodus 23:2
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
You shall not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shall you speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
American King James Version (AKJV)
You shall not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shall you speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
American Standard Version (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 :
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Do not be moved to do wrong by the general opinion, or give the support of your words to a wrong decision:
Webster's Revision
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
World English Bible
"You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; neither shall you testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice;
English Revised Version (ERV)
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to wrest judgment:
Definitions for Exodus 23:2
Clarke's Exodus 23:2 Bible Commentary
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 רבים 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," etc.
Barnes's Exodus 23:2 Bible Commentary
This verse might be more strictly rendered, "Thou shalt not follow the many to evil; neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause so as to incline after the many to pervert justice."
Wesley's Exodus 23:2 Bible Commentary
23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude 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.