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"You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

Verse Takeaways

1

Who are the 'Gods'?

Scholars debate if the Hebrew 'elohim' means 'God' or 'judges'. However, they agree on the principle: whether it means God directly or human rulers who represent Him, the command is to show reverence. Commentators like Calvin and Gill argue it refers to magistrates, who are called 'gods' figuratively because they are, as Calvin puts it, 'God’s representatives, as His lieutenants and vicars.'

See 3 Verse Takeaways

Book Overview

Exodus

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Teaching Highlights

Outline

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Commentaries

6

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Exodus 22:28

18th Century

Theologian

The gods - Heb. אלהים 'ělôhı̂ym. See (Exodus 21:6) note. Many take it as the name of God (as in ([Reference Ge…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Exodus 22:28

19th Century

Bishop

Thou shalt not revile the gods.— The Septuagint and Vulgate give the passage this sense; and so it was understood, or at …

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Exodus 22:28

16th Century

Theologian

Thou shalt not revile the gods. These four passages confirm what I have said: that in the Fifth Commandment are comprised, by synecdoc…

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John Gill

John Gill

On Exodus 22:28

17th Century

Pastor

You shall not revile the gods
Meaning not the idols of the Gentiles, which they reckon gods, and worship as such; wh…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Exodus 22:1–31

17th Century

Minister

The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what …