Proverbs 20:23

Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The passage appears in Proverbs, addressed to the reader of wisdom, positioned between a command to withhold personal vengeance and a statement on God’s sovereignty over human paths.

The words — תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת (to'evah) = abomination; מִרְמָ֣ה (mirmah) = deceit. These terms frame commercial dishonesty as morally repulsive to God rather than merely a civil violation.

The thread — The prohibition against fraudulent commerce recurs in Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 20:10, and Hosea 12:7.

Why it lands — The text commands the reader to reject dishonest scales and unequal weights as practices God actively detests. It requires honest measurement in daily transactions as a baseline of obedience.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

תּוֹעֲבַ֣תto.'a.Vat[are] [the] abomination of יְ֭הוָהYah.wehYahweh אֶ֣בֶן'E.vena weight וָאָ֑בֶןva./'A.venand/ a weight וּמֹאזְנֵ֖יu./moz.Neiand/ balances of מִרְמָ֣הmir.Mahdeceit לֹא־lo'-not טֽוֹב׃Tov[are] good

King James Version

Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.

Cross-references

Proverbs 20:10 Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.
Hosea 12:7 A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.
Proverbs 11:1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
Ezekiel 45:10 You must use honest scales, a just ephah, and a just bath.
Amos 8:5 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.