Bribery, a form of pecuniary corruption, is an act implying money or gift given that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black’s Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting, of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or other person in charge of a public or legal duty. The bribe is the gift bestowed to influence the recipient’s conduct. It may be any money, good, right in action, property, preferment, privilege, emolument, object of value, advantage, or merely a promise or undertaking to induce or influence the action, vote, or influence of a person in an official or public capacity. (Wikipedia)
It is difficult for ordinary folks, who are not trained in the legal system, lawmaking and government to understand the interworking of our elected officials. We hear about closed-door, under the table and arm-twisting agreements. When the closed-door meetings are over, our elected government officials come out, and guess what, they changed their mind about thus and so. Most of the time, we citizens are not privy to these sweet deals, and if we find out, it’s at a much later time. Citizens ask, “What’s going on?” Should not government be transparent? Have we heard about transparency somewhere? Bribery can be found in different forms. An interesting quote by Robert Jackson may shed some light on our subject. “Men are more often bribed by their loyalties and ambitions than by money.”
Biblical Examples of Bribery
Delilah betrayed Samson. “And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver” (Judges 16:5 KJV).
Samuel’s sons took bribes. “And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment” (1 Samuel 8:1-3).
Soldiers were bribed. “Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept” (Matthew 28:10-13).
Judas betrayed Jesus for money. “Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely” (Mark 14:42-44).
“Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: in whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes” (Psalm 26:9-10). I cannot think of a better conclusion to this essay than to define the word bribe via Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary., which reads, “money or favor bestowed on or promised to a person in a position of trust to pervert his judgment or corrupt his conduct; something that serves to induce or influence.”
