Proverbs 17:23 Meaning and Explanation
“A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The wicked person uses hidden gifts to corrupt justice itself.
The Context of Proverbs 17:23
Biblical law treats the corruption of justice as a grave violation of the covenant.
What Does Proverbs 17:23 Mean?
The verse describes a specific corruption: a person of wickedness secretly receives bribes and uses them to twist the course of justice. The gift taken from the bosom (kept close, concealed) is the instrument of this perversion. The wicked man does not merely rob or defraud—he attacks the foundation of society by making justice itself bend to his will.
This is among the most serious crimes in biblical perspective. When judgment is perverted, the poor have no recourse, the innocent have no protection, and the guilty escape consequence. The bribed official becomes an agent of systemic collapse. The secrecy—the gift hidden in the bosom—shows this is deliberate, calculated wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 17:23
What does Proverbs 17:23 mean?
The wicked person uses hidden gifts to corrupt justice itself.
What is the context of Proverbs 17:23?
Biblical law treats the corruption of justice as a grave violation of the covenant.