“You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 19:35
What does Leviticus 19:35 mean?
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Leviticus 19:35
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This verse is a powerful reminder that "judgment" isn't just for a courtroom; it extends to every transaction, from measuring land to weighing goods. The repetition of "do no unrighteousness" links dishonest dealings directly to corrupt justice, showing that cheating in business is as morally wrong as perverting a legal verdict. It reveals that God cares deeply about the integrity of our everyday marketplace practices.
“You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a series of laws calling for holiness and justice, particularly concerning the treatment of others and proper worship, God shifts to the practicalities of daily commerce. This passage transitions from abstract principles of righteousness to specific instructions for merchants and tradespeople, emphasizing that integrity must extend to every transaction, not just in formal legal judgments but also in everyday dealings of measuring goods. The commands that follow will reinforce this by stating that God detests dishonesty in these matters.
We often think of 'judgment' as something that happens in a courtroom, presided over by a judge. But God's definition is much broader.
Leviticus 19:35 starts by saying, 'You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment.' This sounds like it's for judges and legal proceedings only. However, the verse immediately connects this to commerce: 'in measures of length or weight or quantity.'
This shows us that God's call for justice isn't confined to formal legal settings. It applies to our everyday interactions, especially in business and trade. Whether you're a judge or a merchant, a business owner or an employee, the principle is the same: be fair and honest. Cheating in business is just as much a failure of justice in God's eyes as a judge perverting the law.
God provides specific details about weights and measures, revealing His deep care for accuracy and integrity in all things.
The verse lists 'measures of length or weight or quantity.' This wasn't just a suggestion; these were practical, tangible ways people conducted their daily lives and business. God was concerned that every transaction be based on truth and fairness.
Think about it: If you're selling grain, you need accurate measures (like the ephah or hin). If you're trading goods by value, you need accurate weights (like the shekel). If you're dealing with land or materials, you need accurate lengths (like the cubit or yard).
God's command is for us to use 'true balances' and 'true weights, true ephah and true hin' (Leviticus 19:36). This emphasizes that there should be no discrepancy between what is promised and what is delivered. It’s about living out our faith in the details of life, where honesty is paramount.
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Understand the original words
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
A standard of legal and ethical righteousness used to determine truth, fairness, and the administration of justice between people, reflecting God’s own righteous nature.
This verse directly echoes Leviticus 19:35 by stating that dishonest business practices like false scales are detestable to God, highlighting the consistent biblical emphasis on integrity in all transactions.
Ezekiel 45:10This passage reiterates the command for just weights and measures in a future context, showing that this principle of fairness in commerce is not just a temporary law but a lasting moral requirement.
Deuteronomy 25:13-16The repetition of this command in Deuteronomy, with its strong warning against dishonest weights and measures, underscores the seriousness of this sin and its detrimental impact on the community and God's relationship with His people.
Micah 6:10-11Micah calls out the sin of using dishonest measures, connecting it to a broader pattern of wickedness and injustice, demonstrating how fairness in trade is intrinsically linked to righteousness.
gillLeviticus 19:35: "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure."
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment,.... This is repeated from Leviticus 19:15 ; and in order to lead on to some other laws and instructions; though Aben Ezra thinks this is said in connection with the preceding words, and in reference to the stranger, agreeably to Deuteronomy 1:16 ; but Jarchi refers it to what follows concerning weights and measures, and observes, that a measurer is a…
clarkeLeviticus 19:35: "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure."
Ye shall do no unrighteousness - Ye shall not act contrary to the strictest justice in any case, and especially in the four following, which properly understood, comprise all that can occur between a man and his fellow. 1. Judgment in all cases that come before the civil magistrate; he is to judge and decide according to the law. 2.-Mete-Yard, במדה bammiddah, in measures of length and surface,…
This verse is a powerful reminder that "judgment" isn't just for a courtroom; it extends to every transaction, from measuring land to weighing goods. The repetition of "do no unrighteousness" links dishonest dealings directly to corrupt justice, showing that cheating in business is as morally wrong as perverting a legal verdict. It reveals that God cares deeply about the integrity of our everyday marketplace practices.
After a series of laws calling for holiness and justice, particularly concerning the treatment of others and proper worship, God shifts to the practicalities of daily commerce. This passage transitions from abstract principles of righteousness to specific instructions for merchants and tradespeople, emphasizing that integrity must extend to every transaction, not just in formal legal judgments but also in everyday dealings of measuring goods. The commands that follow will reinforce this by stating that God detests dishonesty in these matters.
After a series of laws calling for holiness and justice, particularly concerning the treatment of others and proper worship, God shifts to the practicalities of daily commerce. This passage transitions from abstract principles of righteousness to specific instructions for merchants and tradespeople, emphasizing that integrity must extend to every transaction, not just in formal legal judgments but also in everyday dealings of measuring goods. The commands that follow will reinforce this by stating that God detests dishonesty in these matters.
"“You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity." — This verse is a powerful reminder that "judgment" isn't just for a courtroom; it extends to every transaction, from measuring land to weighing goods. The repetition of "do no unrighteousness" links d…
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Last reviewed October 2026