KING JAMES BIBLE DICTIONARY

None to be taken; "for the gift maketh open eyes blind, and perverteth the cause of the righteous" (Exodus 23:8, literally rendered).

BRIBE, noun

1. A price, reward, gift or favor bestowed or promised with a view to pervert the judgment, or corrupt the conduct of a judge, witness or other person. A bribe is a consideration given or promised to a person, to induce him to decide a cause, give testimony, or perform some act contrary to what he knows to be truth, justice or rectitude. It is not used in a good sense, unless in familiar language.

2. That which seduces.

Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave these ever blooming sweets.

BRIBE, verb transitive To give or promise a reward or consideration, with a view to pervert the judgment, or corrupt the conduct. To hire for bad purposes; to purchase the decision of a judge, the testimony of a witness, or the performance of some act contrary to known truth, justice or rectitude.

1. To gain by a bribe

In familiar language, it is sometimes used in a good sense; as, to bribe a child to take a medicine. Dryden has used the word in a good sense, in solemn language; but such use is rare, and hardly legitimate.

BRIBE-DEVOUR'ING, adjective Greedy of bribes or presents; as bribe-devouring kings.

BRI'BER,noun One who bribes, or pays for corrupt practices.

General references
Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:18-19; Deuteronomy 27:25; 1 Samuel 8:1; 1 Samuel 8:3; Job 15:34; Psalms 26:9-10; Proverbs 15:27; Proverbs 17:8; Proverbs 17:23; Proverbs 18:16; Proverbs 21:14; Proverbs 25:14; Proverbs 28:21; Proverbs 29:4; Ecclesiastes 7:7; Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 5:22-23; Isaiah 33:15-16; Ezekiel 13:19; Ezekiel 22:12-13; Amos 2:6; Amos 5:12; Micah 7:3

Instances of:

Delilah
Judges 16:5

Samuel's sons
1 Samuel 8:3

The false prophet, Shemaiah
Nehemiah 6:10-13

Ben-Hadad
1 Kings 15:19

Haman bribes Ahasuerus to destroy the Jews
Esther 3:9

Chief priests bribe Judas
Matthew 26:15; Matthew 27:3-9; Mark 14:11; Luke 22:5

Soldiers bribed to declare that the disciples stole the body of Jesus
Matthew 28:12-15

Felix seeks a bribe from Paul
Acts 24:26

BRI'BERY, noun The act or practice of giving or taking rewards for corrupt practices; the act of paying or receiving a reward for a false judgment, or testimony, or for the performance of that which is known to be illegal, or unjust. It is applied both to him who gives, and to him who receives the compensation, but appropriately to the giver.

BRIBE'WORTHY, adjective [bribe and worthy.] Worth bribing to obtain.