Exodus 23:2
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִהְיֶ֥ה
H1961
תִהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י
Thou shalt not follow
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י
Thou shalt not follow
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
רַבִּ֖ים
a multitude
H7227
רַבִּ֖ים
a multitude
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
4 of 13
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַעֲנֶ֣ה
neither shalt thou speak
H6030
תַעֲנֶ֣ה
neither shalt thou speak
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְהַטֹּֽת׃
to decline
H5186
לְהַטֹּֽת׃
to decline
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
10 of 13
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י
Thou shalt not follow
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י
Thou shalt not follow
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Proverbs 1:15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:Job 31:34Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?Deuteronomy 1:17Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.Proverbs 4:14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.Mark 15:15And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.Luke 23:51(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.Joshua 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.1 Kings 19:10And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.Acts 24:27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.Acts 25:9But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
Historical Context
Ancient courts involved community members as witnesses and judges. The pressure to conform to majority opinion could pervert justice. This command requires courage to stand for truth against popular sentiment.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you faced pressure to 'follow the multitude to do evil'—how did you respond?
- How does this command apply to modern contexts like social media mobs or cancel culture?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
Majority doesn't determine morality—'don't follow multitude to evil' (לֹא־תִהְיֶה אַחֲרֵי־רַבִּים לְרָעֹת, lo-tihyeh acharei-rabbim lera'ot). Peer pressure toward wickedness must be resisted. The second clause warns against testimony swayed by popular opinion rather than truth. Courts must render just verdicts regardless of public sentiment. Noah stood alone; Abraham argued against Sodom's majority; Elijah opposed 450 prophets of Baal. Jesus faced mob crying 'Crucify!' Paul warns 'do not be conformed to this world' (Romans 12:2). Truth isn't democratic; it's theocratic—God's word determines right, not polls.