Leviticus 19:36
You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The command for "just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin" isn't just about fair trade; it's a reminder that our integrity in everyday dealings is rooted in our identity as God's people. By linking these practical instructions to His act of rescuing them from Egypt, God emphasizes that faithfulness in small things reflects their larger covenant faithfulness to Him.
This passage is part of a larger section in Leviticus 19 where God is laying out ethical and moral commands for the Israelites, reinforcing the call to holiness by reminding them He is their God who rescued them from slavery in Egypt. Immediately following instructions about fair business practices and not bearing hatred, this verse emphasizes the need for complete honesty in all commercial dealings, from using accurate scales to proper measurement units, urging them to reflect God's own integrity in their lives.
Ever feel like the world isn't playing fair? God cares deeply about honesty, especially when it comes to business.
In Leviticus 19, God lays out a holy standard for His people, and a huge part of that is integrity in trade. The command for "just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin" wasn't just about avoiding punishment; it was about reflecting God's own character.
What These Measures Mean:
God demanded these standards so that His people would be known for their truthfulness and reliability. Cutting corners or using deceptive measures was a direct insult to Him.
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God delivered His people from slavery. What does that have to do with how you handle your money?
The second part of Leviticus 19:36 delivers a powerful punch: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt."
This isn't just a tag-line; it's the reason behind the command for honesty.
The Connection:
Understand the original words
tzedeq · Hebrew Adjective
A state of fairness, righteousness, and integrity. In a legal or commercial context, it refers to standards that are accurate, honest, and free from deceit, reflecting God's own character.
mozenayim · Hebrew Noun
An instrument for weighing, often symbolizing divine judgment or the requirement for integrity in human dealings. Biblically, it emphasizes the importance of honesty in all business and social transactions as a reflection of holiness.
eben · Hebrew Noun
Stones or metal pieces used as standards for measurement. In Scripture, using inaccurate weights is condemned as an abomination, while accurate weights represent moral uprightness and fairness before God.
ephah · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew unit of dry measure, roughly equivalent to a bushel. It served as a standard container for grain and other commodities; the command to have a 'just' ephah requires economic transparency and honesty.
hin · Hebrew Noun
A liquid measure used primarily for oil or wine. Like the ephah, it functioned as a standard of trade, and the requirement for a 'just' hin reinforces the biblical mandate for integrity in all aspects of life.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of God (Yahweh), the personal, self-existent, and redeeming God of Israel. It denotes His authority as the one who establishes the Law and His relational commitment to His people.
Mitsrayim · Hebrew Noun
The state of bondage in Egypt from which God delivered Israel, serving as a powerful historical reminder of God's grace and a foundational reason for Israel's obedience to His commands.
This verse directly warns against dishonest scales and weights, echoing Leviticus 19:36's command for justice in trade.
Ezekiel 18:5-9Ezekiel lists righteous actions, including 'just balances' and not oppressing others, showing how economic integrity is part of a life pleasing to God.
Matthew 5:37Jesus calls for simple honesty in speech – 'Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'' – reflecting the spirit of truthful dealings commanded in Leviticus.
Luke 16:10-11Jesus teaches that faithfulness in small, worldly matters like handling money ('unrighteous mammon') is a sign of true faithfulness to God, linking economic honesty to spiritual integrity.
Deuteronomy 25:13-16This passage also emphasizes the need for 'honest scales' and 'honest ephah,' reinforcing that fair trade was a foundational requirement for Israel's covenant relationship with God.
bensonLeviticus 19:36: "Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt."
Leviticus 19:36 . A just ephah and a just hin — These two measures are named as most common, the former for dry, the latter for moist things, but under them he manifestly comprehends all other measures.
gillLeviticus 19:36: "Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt."
Just balances, just weights,.... Which were for such sort of things as were bought and sold by weight, and these were to be according to the custom and usage which universally obtained among them, or were fixed and settled by them; they were to be neither lighter nor heavier; they were not to have one sort to buy with, and another to se…
The command for "just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin" isn't just about fair trade; it's a reminder that our integrity in everyday dealings is rooted in our identity as God's people. By linking these practical instructions to His act of rescuing them from Egypt, God emphasizes that faithfulness in small things reflects their larger covenant faithfulness to Him.
This passage is part of a larger section in Leviticus 19 where God is laying out ethical and moral commands for the Israelites, reinforcing the call to holiness by reminding them He is their God who rescued them from slavery in Egypt. Immediately following instructions about fair business practices and not bearing hatred, this verse emphasizes the need for complete honesty in all commercial dealings, from using accurate scales to proper measurement units, urging them to reflect God's own integrity in their lives.
This passage is part of a larger section in Leviticus 19 where God is laying out ethical and moral commands for the Israelites, reinforcing the call to holiness by reminding them He is their God who rescued them from slavery in Egypt. Immediately following instructions about fair business practices and not bearing hatred, this verse emphasizes the need for complete honesty in all commercial dealings, from using accurate scales to proper measurement units, urging them to reflect God's own integrity in their lives.
"You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." — The command for "just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin" isn't just about fair trade; it's a reminder that our integrity in everyday dealings is rooted in our identity as God's peo…
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