Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of justice and fairness. In ancient times, scales and balances were essential tools for trade and commerce, ensuring that transactions were conducted fairly. The Bible frequently uses the imagery of scales to symbolize justice and righteousness (Leviticus 19:36, Ezekiel 45:10). The LORD's involvement signifies that true justice is not merely a human construct but is rooted in God's character. This aligns with the biblical principle that God is just and desires His people to reflect His justice in their dealings (Deuteronomy 25:13-16). The use of honest scales is a metaphor for integrity in all aspects of life, pointing to the moral and ethical standards that God expects from His followers.

all the weights in the bag are His concern.
Weights were used in conjunction with scales to measure goods accurately. In the ancient Near East, dishonest merchants might use different weights to cheat customers, a practice condemned in Scripture (Proverbs 11:1, Micah 6:11). This phrase underscores God's omniscience and His concern for honesty in even the smallest details of life. It suggests that God is aware of and cares about the integrity of every transaction, no matter how minor it may seem. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God is concerned with the heart and actions of individuals (1 Samuel 16:7). The phrase also implies accountability, reminding believers that they are ultimately answerable to God for their actions. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who embodies perfect justice and truth, and who will judge the world with righteousness (Acts 17:31).

1. Solomon
Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.

2. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where commerce and trade were integral to daily life. Honest scales were essential for fair trade and justice.

3. Merchants and Traders
In the context of this verse, merchants and traders are implied as those who use scales and balances in their business dealings.God's Standard of Justice
God is the ultimate source of justice and fairness. His concern for honest scales reflects His desire for integrity in all aspects of life.

Integrity in Business
As followers of Christ, we are called to conduct our business dealings with honesty and transparency, reflecting God's character in our work.

Divine Ownership
The verse reminds us that everything, including the tools of our trade, belongs to God. We are stewards of His resources and must use them responsibly.

Moral Accountability
We are accountable to God for our actions, including how we treat others in business. Our integrity in small matters reflects our faithfulness to Him.

Reflecting God's Character
By practicing honesty and fairness, we bear witness to God's righteousness and justice in a world that often values profit over principle.(11) A just weight and balance are the Lord's.--See above on Proverbs 11:1.

Verse 11. - A just weight and balance are the Lord's (Proverbs 11:1); literally, the balance and scales of justice (are) the Lord's. They come under his law, are subject to the Divine ordinances which regulate all man's dealings. The great principles of truth end justice govern all the transactions of buying and selling; religion enters into the business of trading, and weights and measures are sacred things. Vulgate, "The weights and the balance are judgments of the Lord;" being true and fair, they are regarded as God's judgment. Septuagint, "The turn of the balance is justice before God." All the weights of the bag are his work. Some have round a difficulty here, because the bag may contain false as well as true weights (Deuteronomy 25:13), and it could not be said that the light weights were the Lord's work. This surely is captious criticism. The maxim merely states that the trader's weights take their origin and authority from God's enactment, from certain eternal principles which he has established. What man's chicanery and fraud make of them does not come into view. (For the law that regulates such matters, see Leviticus 19:35, etc.) That cheating in this respect was not uncommon we learn from the complaints of the prophets, as Micah 6:11. The religious character of the standard weights and measures is shown by the term "shekel of the sanctuary" (Exodus 38:24, and elsewhere continually).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Honest
מִ֭שְׁפָּט (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

scales
פֶּ֤לֶס ׀ (pe·les)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6425: A balance, scale

and balances
וּמֹאזְנֵ֣י (ū·mō·zə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - mdc
Strong's 3976: A pair of scales

[are from] the LORD;
לַֽיהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the weights
אַבְנֵי־ (’aḇ·nê-)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 68: A stone

in the bag
כִֽיס׃ (ḵîs)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3599: A cup, a bag for, money, weights

are His concern.
מַ֝עֲשֵׂ֗הוּ (ma·‘ă·śê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh's (Prov. Pro Pr)