Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

EXODUS 23:7KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 23:7 (KJV)

What does Exodus 23:7 mean?

Exodus 23:7 warns against using falsehood to bring about the death of someone who is innocent. It places that warning within a setting of public justice, where an accusation or a decision could have deadly consequences.

God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses. After verse 6 addresses justice for the poor, verse 7 tells the hearer to stay far from a “false matter.” The picture is not merely of refusing to tell a lie, but of keeping away from a false case.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 23:7

  • “matter” — דָּבָר (davar): This word can mean a word, a matter, or a case. Here, “false matter” can point to a false claim brought in a dispute.
  • “justify” — צָדַק (tsadaq): In this form, the word carries the sense of declaring someone to be in the right. God’s statement uses the language of a judgment about the wicked person.
  • “righteous” — צַדִּיק (tsaddiq): This word describes someone who is in the right. Alongside “innocent,” it fits the verse’s concern with a person who should not be condemned.

Why Exodus 23:7 matters

  • The warning reaches beyond the final act of killing. “Keep thee far from a false matter” addresses involvement with falsehood before a deadly outcome.
  • The last clause gives God’s judgment as the reason for the command: “for I will not justify the wicked.” A person may use a false case against someone else, but God says he will not declare the wicked person to be in the right.

Where else these words appear

“justify” Hebrew H6663 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 38:26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
  • Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
  • Psalms 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

“innocent” Hebrew H5355 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 24:41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
  • 1 Samuel 19:5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
  • Psalms 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

“far” Hebrew H7368 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • Psalms 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
  • Isaiah 6:12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

“false” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
  • Jeremiah 8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.