“You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Deuteronomy 25:13
What does Deuteronomy 25:13 mean?
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Deuteronomy 25:13
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This isn't just about having two different scale weights; it's about the very intention to deceive. God commands them not even to possess the tools of dishonesty, revealing His demand for integrity that goes beyond just outward actions to the inner disposition of the heart.
“You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This instruction about not having two kinds of weights appears in a section of laws dealing with justice and integrity in Israel. It's part of a broader call to holiness and right living that extends to everyday dealings, following laws about social justice and care for the vulnerable. The principle here is about complete honesty in all transactions, even to the point of not possessing the tools of deceit.
Ever felt like someone was playing you with a hidden agenda? This ancient command speaks directly to that feeling.
God's people were forbidden from keeping two different sets of weights, one heavy and one light. This wasn't just about accurate scales; it was about cultivating a heart of integrity.
The Sin of Deceit
The core issue here is deception. Having one weight to buy with (a heavier one, so you get more goods for your money) and another to sell with (a lighter one, so you give less product for the same amount of money) is outright cheating.
More Than Just the Tools
This wasn't just a prohibition against the act of cheating, but against even possessing the means to cheat. It's a command to keep your hands and your heart completely clean from any temptation or possibility of dishonesty.
Who bears the brunt of dishonesty? This verse reminds us God cares deeply about the defenseless.
These laws about fair weights and measures weren't just abstract principles; they had a very real, practical impact on people's lives.
The Burden on the Poor
When weights and measures are unfair, it's almost always the poor and vulnerable who suffer the most. They don't have the power or resources to fight back against cheating. Dishonest merchants could easily perpetuate poverty by shortchanging those who could least afford it.
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God's Heart for Justice
God's commands for justice and fairness in trade reveal His deep concern for the oppressed and His desire for His people to reflect His character. Maintaining integrity in our dealings isn't just good business; it's an act of compassion and justice.
Understand the original words
eben · Hebrew Noun
In biblical commerce, honesty in weights and measures is a reflection of God’s own character. Fraudulent practices are considered an abomination, as they represent a failure to love one's neighbor and an attempt to cheat the economic order established by God.
This passage directly parallels the command against dishonest weights and measures, emphasizing the importance of fairness and integrity in all dealings.
Proverbs 11:1This verse calls a false balance an abomination to the Lord, reinforcing that dishonest practices, like using unequal weights, are deeply offensive to God's character.
Amos 8:5Amos denounces Israel for their deceptive business practices, including manipulating measures, showing that this was a recurring sin that drew God's judgment.
Luke 3:13John the Baptist, in his call to repentance, specifically instructs tax collectors to collect no more than the amount due, highlighting the ongoing need for honesty in financial matters.
gillDeuteronomy 25:13: "Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small."
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights,.... Or, "a stone and a stone" (y); it being usual, in those times and countries, to have their weights of stone, as it was formerly with us here; we still say, that such a commodity is worth so much per stone, a stone being of such a weight; now these were not to be different: a great and a small; great weights, to buy with them, and small weights, to sell with…
pooleDeuteronomy 25:13: "Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small."
The great, either to buy with, or openly to make show of; the small, for their private use in selling.
This isn't just about having two different scale weights; it's about the very intention to deceive. God commands them not even to possess the tools of dishonesty, revealing His demand for integrity that goes beyond just outward actions to the inner disposition of the heart.
This instruction about not having two kinds of weights appears in a section of laws dealing with justice and integrity in Israel. It's part of a broader call to holiness and right living that extends to everyday dealings, following laws about social justice and care for the vulnerable. The principle here is about complete honesty in all transactions, even to the point of not possessing the tools of deceit.
This instruction about not having two kinds of weights appears in a section of laws dealing with justice and integrity in Israel. It's part of a broader call to holiness and right living that extends to everyday dealings, following laws about social justice and care for the vulnerable. The principle here is about complete honesty in all transactions, even to the point of not possessing the tools of deceit.
"“You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small." — This isn't just about having two different scale weights; it's about the very intention to deceive. God commands them not even to possess the tools of dishonesty, revealing His demand for integrity…
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Last reviewed October 2026