Scales and balances

Weighing devices designed to ensure fair dealing. The terms are also used metaphorically in Scripture.

Scales and balances were used in business transactions

Jeremiah 32:10

Scales and balances should not be used dishonestly

Exhortations to honest dealing

Leviticus 19:35–36 See also Ezekiel 45:10

You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

The LORD hates dishonest dealing

Proverbs 20:10 See also Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 16:11, Proverbs 20:23

Differing weights and unequal measures— both are detestable to the LORD.

Dishonest dealing was one of the reasons for God's judgment on his people

Jeremiah 5:1 See also Hosea 12:6–7; Amos 8:4–8; Micah 6:10–13

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.

Scales and balances used metaphorically

To emphasise Job's distress

Job 6:2

“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.

To highlight God's greatness

Isaiah 40:15 See also Isaiah 40:12

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered a speck of dust on the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust.

Of God's judgment

Daniel 5:25–30 See also Ezekiel 5:1–2; Revelation 6:5–6

Now this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. And this is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.” Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,