What Does Exodus 23:6 Mean in the King James?

Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

Exodus 23:6 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Justice is not abstract here: it is the refusal to bend a poor person’s case away from its claim.

THE MEANING

The poor person’s case before you is not yours to bend away from its just course. Their poverty does not make their cause disposable; it still deserves an undistorted judgment.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

A poor person’s case matters less because they have less money, influence, or standing.

THE ROOT

תַטֶּה

tatteh

GROWS FROM

נטה

natah

To stretch out, incline, or turn aside.

The verb translated “wrest” is ⁨תַטֶּה⁩ (tatteh), from ⁨נטה⁩ (natah, to stretch, incline, or turn aside). It pictures judgment being steered off its line; the poor person’s claim is not to be made easier to turn aside.

ALSO GROWS

matteh: Staff or rod; also tribe.

מַטֶּה

This branch carries the sense of something extended, giving the root a concrete image of direction and reach.

mittah: Bed or couch.

מִטָּה

This word is also associated with spreading or laying something out, echoing the root’s sense of extension.

THE PATTERN

A person’s poverty must never make their claim easier to bend aside.

Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Deuteronomy 16:19 · KJVJudgment is distorted when partiality or a gift turns it away from the claim before it.

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:9 · KJVThe poor person’s cause remains visible and worthy of a fair hearing.

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

James 2:6 · KJVDespising the poor is exposed as a distortion of judgment tied to the unequal power surrounding a case.

THE THREAD

Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Deuteronomy 16:19 · KJV

Both verses use ⁨נטה⁩ (natah, to incline or turn aside) for “wrest.” Deuteronomy names how judgment bends, through partiality or a gift, while Exodus brings the poor person’s case into view.

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