Exodus 23:1

Veracity and impartiality to be observed, especially in giving evidence in a court of law. Cf. (in H) Leviticus 19:15-18.

1a. A groundless report not to be given currency as might readily happen, for instance, from thoughtlessness or malice. Cf. Leviticus 19:16.

take up on the lips, i.e. utter. Cf. on Exodus 20:7.

a groundless report On shâw", -groundless," see on Exodus 20:7.

1b. Not to assist the evildoer by giving dishonest witness.

put not thy hand with make not common cause with: cf. for the idiom 2 Kings 15:19; Jeremiah 26:24.

the wicked or, as in Exodus 2:13, him that is in the wrong.

an unrighteous witness better, a malicious witness: lit. a witness of violence (so Deuteronomy 19:16; Psalms 35:11 †), i.e. a witness who seeks to subvert the innocent, either (ll.cc.) directly, or, as here, by assisting to clear the guilty.