Contradiction with Exodus 23:8
This verse states, "And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous." It contradicts Proverbs 17:23 by explicitly instructing against accepting gifts that corrupt judgment, whereas Proverbs 17:23 suggests the corrupt act of accepting a gift to pervert judgment.
Exodus 23:8: And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. [the wise: Heb. the seeing]
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 16:19
This verse commands, "Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous." It contradicts Proverbs 17:23 by forbidding gifts that lead to injustice, while Proverbs 17:23 describes someone who accepts bribes.
Deuteronomy 16:19: Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. [words: or, matters]
Contradiction with Proverbs 15:27
This verse declares, "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live." It contradicts Proverbs 17:23 by promoting the refusal of gifts as a path to life, in contrast to Proverbs 17:23, which portrays the act of taking a bribe.
Proverbs 15:27: He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Contradiction with Isaiah 1:23
This verse observes, "Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them." It contradicts Proverbs 17:23 by condemning those who love gifts leading to corruption, whereas Proverbs 17:23 mentions the act of accepting a bribe to subvert justice.
Isaiah 1:23: Thy princes [are] rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
Contradiction with Micah 3:11
This verse states, "The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us." It contradicts Proverbs 17:23 by denouncing judges who accept rewards, while Proverbs 17:23 describes the act of taking a bribe secretly.
Micah 3:11: The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. [and say: Heb. saying]
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 7:7
This verse states, "Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart." It contradicts Proverbs 17:23 by indicating that accepting gifts leads to destruction, whereas Proverbs 17:23 presents the taking of gifts to pervert justice as an existing scenario.
Ecclesiastes 7:7: Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
Contradiction with Psalm 26:10
This verse describes, "In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes." It contradicts Proverbs 17:23 by depicting a negative view of those who have bribes in their hands, while Proverbs 17:23 discusses the act of taking a bribe in secret to subvert justice.
Psalm 26:10: In whose hands [is] mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. [full...: Heb. filled with]
Paradox #1
Proverbs 17:23 discusses the wrongful act of accepting a bribe to pervert justice. A potential theological inconsistency arises if one considers other parts of the Bible where God uses flawed or sinful actions of individuals to achieve a larger, divine purpose. The tension lies in reconciling the acceptance of a wrongful act like bribery, which is condemned, with instances where God’s will is accomplished despite human sinfulness. This can lead to questions about human free will versus divine sovereignty.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or conflict in this verse might arise from the idea that it acknowledges the reality of people accepting bribes to do wrong, which seems to go against the broader biblical teachings of honesty, integrity, and justice. While the verse points out a negative behavior, some might interpret it as implicitly acknowledging that this behavior is a common part of human nature or society, thus presenting a tension with the ethical ideals promoted in other parts of the Bible.