BRIBERY (שֹׁ֫חַד, H8816, a present, specifically bribe; כֹּ֫פֶר֩, H4111, a covering). Anything given to a person to induce him to do something illegal or wrong, or against his wishes. The taking of bribes is mentioned only in the OT. It had as its purpose to condemn the innocent (Ps 15:5; Isa 5:23; Ezek 22:12), to acquit the guilty (Isa 5:23), to slay the innocent (Deut 27:25). The law of Moses prohibited it (Exod 23:8; Deut 16:19) and he who takes a bribe is described as cursed (Deut 27:25). The prophets denounced it (Isa 1:23; Amos 5:12; Mic 3:11; 7:3). Rulers (Exod 18:21; Isa 1:23; Ezek 22:12; Mic 3:11; 7:3) and judges (2 Chron 19:7) were esp. given to it. It is a vice that corrupts the mind (Eccl 7:7). The God of Israel is not partial and does not take a bribe (Deut 10:17). When the Israelites came to Samuel for a king he asked, “From whose hand have I taken a bribe?” (1 Sam 12:3); his sons, however, took bribes and perverted justice (8:3). The man who is approved by God does not take bribes (Ps 15:5; Prov 15:27; Isa 33:15); the wicked man accepts a bribe (Ps 26:10; Prov 17:23). The OT fixes no specific penalty for the offense.