Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5238 bribery

The practice of offering an incentive, usually money, in order to dishonestly or illegally procure a decision or action in favour of the giver.

Bribery is sin

It is forbidden by God on the grounds of truth and justice

Exodus 23:8; 2 Chronicles 19:7 See also Deuteronomy 10:17; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Job 36:18

The prevalence of the sin

Proverbs 17:8 See also Proverbs 6:32-35; Proverbs 21:14

The seriousness of the sin

Job 15:34 See also Deuteronomy 27:25; Isaiah 1:23-24; Isaiah 5:22-23; Isaiah 33:15; Amos 5:12; Micah 3:9-12

The results of bribery

Personal corruption

Ecclesiastes 7:7 See also Psalm 26:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:10

The perversion of justice

Proverbs 17:23 See also Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19

The decay of society

Proverbs 29:4 See also Ezekiel 22:12 Corruption, violence and decay render society subject to God's judgment.

Examples of bribery

Balak and Balaam:

Numbers 22:16; 2 Peter 2:15 Judges 16:5 Delilah

Samuel and his sons:

1 Samuel 8:1-3; Samuel 12:2-3 1 Kings 15:18-19 King Asa; 2 Kings 16:7-9 King Ahaz; Esther 3:9 Haman; Matthew 26:14-16 pp Mark 14:10-11 pp Luke 22:4-6 Judas; Matthew 28:11-15 the soldiers at the tomb; Acts 24:26 Governor Felix

See also

1075  God, justice of
1125  God, righteousness
1185  God, zeal of
1310  God as judge
5253  cheating
5311  extortion
5318  fraud
5347  injustice
5413  money, attitudes
6130  corruption
6604  acceptance, human
8790  oppression