Proverbs 17:23

A wicked person receives a bribe secretly ¹  to pervert ²  the ways of justice.

Ex 23:8; De 16:19; 1Sa 8:3; 1Sa 12:3; Pr 17:8; Pr 18:16; Pr 21:14; Isa 1:23; Eze 22:12; Mic 7:3; Mr 14:10,11

¹ sn The fact that the “gift” is given secretly (Heb “from the bosom” [מֵחֵיק, mekheq]; so NASB) indicates that it was not proper. Cf. NRSV “a concealed bribe”; TEV, CEV, NLT “secret bribes.”

² tn The form לְהַטּוֹת (lÿhattot) is the Hiphil infinitive construct of נָטָה (natah), meaning “to thrust away,” i.e., to “pervert.” This purpose clause clarifies that the receiving of the “gift” is for evil intent.