Proverbs 11:1

Dishonest Scales

1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, ¹ but an accurate weight is His delight.

Proverbs 11:1 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:1

A false balance [is] abomination to the Lord
Under which are included all false weights and measures, and all fraudulent practices in commerce and dealing; which are forbidden by the Lord, and are abominable to him, as being injurious to the estates and properties of men: and more especially must be abominable in professors of religion, as being contrary to the grace of God; for though there may be common honesty where there is not the grace of God, yet there cannot be the true grace of God where there is not honesty; for the grace of God teaches to deny all such worldly lusts; but a just weight [is] his delight;
or a "perfect stone" ^F3; the ancient practice being to make use of stones for weights; Now to give just weight, and also just measure, and to do justly in all civil dealings with men, is what God requires, and is well pleasing in his sight ^F4; see ( Leviticus 19:35 Leviticus 19:36 ) . This may be understood of balances and weights in religious affairs; the balance of the sanctuary is the word of God, with which all doctrines are to be weighed, and, if found wanting, they are to be rejected; this is agreeable to the will of God: false balances are abominable to him; such as carnal reason, vain philosophy, and the traditions of men, used by antichrist and his followers; the harlot, described in some preceding chapters, opposed to Wisdom or Christ, who directs to the search of the Scriptures, and the use of them to try doctrines by, ( John 5:39 ) ; see ( Acts 17:11 ) ( 1 John 4:1 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hmlv Nba) "lapsis perfectus", Montanus, Gejerus.
F4 (metra nemein ta dikaia) Phocylid. Poem. Admon. v. 12, 13.

Proverbs 11:1 In-Context

1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.

2 When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.

4 Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

Cross References

• 1. (Deuteronomy 25:13–16; Ezekiel 45:10–12)