שַׁחַד
a donation (venal or redemptive)
Definition
The Hebrew noun שַׁחַד (shachad) primarily denotes a 'gift' or 'present,' but its meaning is heavily shaped by context, often carrying a negative connotation of a corrupting bribe. In legal and judicial settings, it almost exclusively refers to a bribe that perverts justice, as seen in Exodus 23:8 and Deuteronomy 16:19, where accepting it is strictly forbidden. However, in some diplomatic contexts, it can describe a neutral or even positive tribute or inducement, such as the silver and gold sent by King Asa to Ben-hadad to secure a military alliance (1 Kings 15:19). This dual nature—between a venal bribe and a strategic gift—is central to its biblical usage.
Biblical Usage
שַׁחַד is used 21 times, predominantly in the Torah (especially Deuteronomy) and the historical books. Its most frequent and critical usage is in warnings against judicial corruption, where it is condemned as something that 'blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous' (Deuteronomy 16:19). This pattern establishes a strong ethical framework against bribery. In narratives, it describes payments between kings (e.g., 2 Kings 16:8) or corrupt gains taken by officials (1 Samuel 8:3). The word is rarely, if ever, used for an innocent personal gift.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb שָׁחַד (shachad, H7809), which means 'to give a gift, present a bribe.' The noun form inherits this dual semantic range from its root. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian, also carry meanings related to gifts and payments, indicating a shared cultural concept of transactional giving that could be either honorable or corrupt.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it touches on core biblical themes of justice, corruption, and covenant faithfulness. God's character is explicitly defined as one who 'shows no partiality and accepts no bribes' (Deuteronomy 10:17), setting a divine standard for human judges and leaders. The prohibition against שַׁחַד is a safeguard for social righteousness, protecting the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 27:25). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the Bible's consistent concern for pure justice over expediency or gain.
In the ancient Near East, gift-giving was a complex social institution integral to diplomacy, patronage, and establishing relationships. A 'shachad' operated within this system but specifically denoted a payment meant to influence a decision or secure a favor, often from a person in authority. The biblical law's strong condemnation of it in judicial contexts marks a distinct ethical departure from surrounding cultures where such 'gifts' to officials might have been more normalized or expected.
מַתָּן (mattan, H4976) — A more general, often positive term for a gift or offering, without the inherent negative connotation of a bribe. שֹׁחַד (shochad, H7810 variant) — A variant spelling with identical meaning and usage. כֹּפֶר (kofer, H3724) — A ransom or payment; can overlap in the sense of a compensatory payment but is more specifically tied to atonement or redemption.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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