God expects his people to use accurate weights and measures, and to use just balances. This is underlined in the Law, the Prophets and the wisdom literature.
The law demanded honesty in using weights and measures
Leviticus 19:35–36 Cheating by falsifying weights and measures was common in a culture where there was no standardisation or regulatory authority. See also Deuteronomy 25:13–16
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 prophets called for the right use of weights and measures
A call for honesty
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Enough, O princes of Israel! Cease your violence and oppression, and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing My people, declares the Lord GOD.’ You must use honest scales, a just ephah, and a just bath.
Condemnation of dishonesty
Amos 8:4–6 See also Hosea 12:7–8; Micah 6:10–14
Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!”
Instruction from Proverbs on weights and measures
Proverbs 20:10 See also Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 16:11 Merchants carried stones of different sizes in a pouch for weighing silver for payment; Proverbs 20:23, Proverbs 22:28 To move a boundary stone was in effect to steal land.
Differing weights and unequal measures— both are detestable to the LORD.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.