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

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.

And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

The prevalence of the sin

Proverbs 17:8 See also Proverbs 6:32–35, Proverbs 21:14

A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

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

For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.

The results of bribery

Personal corruption

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

Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

The perversion of justice

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

A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

The decay of society

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

By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.

Examples of bribery

Balak and Balaam: Numbers 22:16; 2 Peter 2:15; Judges 16:5 Delilah; 1 Samuel 8:1–3, 1 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 parallels Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:4–6 Judas; Matthew 28:11–15 the soldiers at the tomb; Acts 24:26 Governor Felix