Deuteronomy 25:13-15
“You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small. You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small. A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse goes beyond just saying "don't cheat"; it commands against even possessing the tools for dishonesty. The emphasis on not having "two kinds of weights" in your bag highlights that even the intention or potential for deceit, by keeping fraudulent tools readily available, is forbidden. It calls for a purity of practice so radical that the means for dishonesty are not kept, lest temptation or opportunity arise.
This verse is part of a series of laws given to Israel to ensure justice and fairness in their society, following instructions on handling slaves and administering discipline. Immediately before, God commands how to deal with a troublesome man who attacks someone, and immediately after, laws about fair weights and measures are detailed, all emphasizing integrity in relationships and dealings. The prohibition against having two kinds of weights—a larger one for buying and a smaller one for selling—stresses the importance of absolute honesty in all commercial activities, even down to the tools of potential deceit.
Ever heard the saying 'two-faced'? This verse calls out a practice that's the ancient equivalent for business deals. It’s not just about owning different weights, but the intention behind it.
The Practice of Deception
This command in Deuteronomy isn't just a minor rule about market goods; it's a deep dive into the ethics of commerce. The core issue here is the deliberate act of carrying two sets of weights: a heavier one for buying and a lighter one for selling.
The instruction to these two weights in your bag signifies that even the tools of dishonesty were forbidden. It’s not just about the act of cheating, but about removing the very temptation and means to do so from your life.
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Why would God care so much about something as practical as weights and measures? Because honest trade builds trust, and trust is the glue that holds communities together.
Building a Just Community
God's commands often have ripple effects beyond the individual. This law about weights and measures is a perfect example.
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.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the one true God of Israel. It represents His self-existence, His faithfulness to His promises, and His supreme authority as the Lawgiver and Redeemer of His people.
shalem · Hebrew Adjective
A state of being complete, whole, or intact. In economic terms, it signifies a standard that is accurate and untainted by corruption or deceit, aligning with the biblical mandate for integrity in all dealings.
tsedeq · Hebrew Adjective
Being upright, righteous, or level. It characterizes a life or an action that is balanced and conforms to God’s standard of truth, devoid of the crookedness associated with sin or dishonesty.
This passage directly echoes the command in Deuteronomy, emphasizing the importance of just weights and measures as part of living a holy life commanded by God.
Proverbs 11:1This proverb calls dishonest scales an abomination to the Lord, highlighting that God detests deceit in all its forms, including dishonest trade practices.
Amos 8:5The prophet Amos condemns the Israelites for their dishonest business practices, specifically mentioning making the small measure great and using dishonest scales, showing this was a recurring problem throughout Israel's history.
Luke 3:13When John the Baptist called people to repentance, he specifically warned tax collectors not to collect more than they were told, illustrating that honest dealings are a core aspect of turning back to God.
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 verse goes beyond just saying "don't cheat"; it commands against even possessing the tools for dishonesty. The emphasis on not having "two kinds of weights" in your bag highlights that even the intention or potential for deceit, by keeping fraudulent tools readily available, is forbidden. It calls for a purity of practice so radical that the means for dishonesty are not kept, lest temptation or opportunity arise.
This verse is part of a series of laws given to Israel to ensure justice and fairness in their society, following instructions on handling slaves and administering discipline. Immediately before, God commands how to deal with a troublesome man who attacks someone, and immediately after, laws about fair weights and measures are detailed, all emphasizing integrity in relationships and dealings. The prohibition against having two kinds of weights—a larger one for buying and a smaller one for selling—stresses the importance of absolute honesty in all commercial activities, even down to the tools of potential deceit.
This verse is part of a series of laws given to Israel to ensure justice and fairness in their society, following instructions on handling slaves and administering discipline. Immediately before, God commands how to deal with a troublesome man who attacks someone, and immediately after, laws about fair weights and measures are detailed, all emphasizing integrity in relationships and dealings. The prohibition against having two kinds of weights—a larger one for buying and a smaller one for selling—stresses the importance of absolute honesty in all commercial activities, even down to the tools of potential deceit.
"“You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small. You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small. A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that you…" — This verse goes beyond just saying "don't cheat"; it commands against even possessing the tools for dishonesty. The emphasis on not having "two kinds of weights" in your bag highlights that even th…
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