Bribery

Passages on this topic

From Nave’s Topical Bible (1896), a historical reference index. The groupings are Nave’s; the verses are shown in the text used across this site.

General scriptures concerning

• Exodus 23:8 Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
• Deuteronomy 16:18–19 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righte…
• Deuteronomy 27:25 ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
• 1 Samuel 8:1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.
• 1 Samuel 8:3 But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
• Job 15:34 For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.
• Psalm 26:9–10 Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.
• Proverbs 15:27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
• Proverbs 17:8 A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
• Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

Instances of

Delilah

• Judges 16:5 The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.”

Samuel's sons

See above

The false prophet, Shemaiah

• Nehemiah 6:10–13 Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: “Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you — by night they are coming to kill you!” But I replied, “Should a…

Ben-hadad

• 1 Kings 15:19 “Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

Haman bribes Ahasuerus to destroy the Jews

• Esther 3:9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”

Chief priests bribe Judas

• Matthew 26:15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.
• Matthew 27:3–9 When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” So Judas thre…
• Mark 14:11 They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
• Luke 22:5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money.

Soldiers bribed to declare that the disciples stole the body of Jesus

• Matthew 28:12–15 And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out o…

Governor Felix seeks a bribe from Paul

• Acts 24:26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.