Abomination to God: Unjust Weights and Measures
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In biblical literature, the concept of unjust weights and measures is frequently addressed as an abomination to God. This term refers to the practice of using deceitful or dishonest scales, weights, and measures in trade and commerce, which is condemned as a violation of divine law and ethical conduct. The Bible emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in all dealings, and unjust weights and measures are seen as a direct affront to these values.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 11:1 : "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This verse highlights the contrast between deceit and integrity, underscoring that God takes pleasure in fairness and truthfulness.

2. Proverbs 20:10 : "Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD." Here, the use of varying standards in measurement is explicitly condemned, reinforcing the idea that God demands consistency and fairness.

3. Deuteronomy 25:13-16 : "You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light. You shall not have two differing measures in your house, one large and one small. You must maintain accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. For everyone who behaves dishonestly in regard to these things is detestable to the LORD your God." This passage provides a direct commandment against the use of deceitful weights and measures, linking obedience to this law with the promise of longevity in the land given by God.

4. Leviticus 19:35-36 : "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This instruction is part of the Holiness Code, emphasizing that the Israelites' conduct should reflect the character of God, who delivered them from bondage.

Theological Implications:

The use of unjust weights and measures is not merely a social or economic issue but a theological one. It reflects a deeper moral and spiritual corruption that is contrary to the nature of God, who is just and righteous. The biblical injunctions against such practices serve as a reminder that God's people are called to embody His attributes in their daily lives, including fairness, honesty, and justice.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, trade and commerce were integral to society, and the use of standardized weights and measures was essential for fair transactions. Dishonest merchants could exploit customers by using inaccurate scales, leading to economic injustice and social unrest. The biblical laws against unjust weights and measures were designed to protect the vulnerable and maintain social order, reflecting God's concern for justice and equity.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:

The condemnation of unjust weights and measures serves as a timeless moral lesson about the importance of integrity in all aspects of life. It calls individuals to examine their own practices and ensure that they are living in a way that honors God and respects others. The emphasis on honesty in business dealings is a reflection of a broader ethical principle that applies to all areas of human interaction.

In summary, unjust weights and measures are considered an abomination to God because they represent a fundamental breach of trust and justice. The biblical texts consistently call for honesty and fairness, reflecting the character of God and His desire for His people to live in a manner that upholds these values.
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Deuteronomy 25:13-16
You shall not have in your bag divers weights, a great and a small.
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Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
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Proverbs 20:1,23
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
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Library

Cheating and Dishonest Ways of Making Money are Utterly Unfit for ...
... speaking about the vines"nor has God care for ... common things, false weights and unjust
measures are accursed ... and divers measures are an abomination before the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix cheating and dishonest.htm

Attitude of Men of the Present Day to War.
... Inquisition, some long past, remote abomination, monstrous, unnatural ... will ask the
benediction of God on their ... Europe formed on foundations so unjust, so brutal ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter vi attitude of men.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... of robbery, which ought to be punished as felony; double weights, too heavy ... glass
for Saints and Sinners; others from 'Beard's theatre of God's Judgments' and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... embraced by them to whom iniquity is an abomination.' p.530. ... and as counting that
he is found of God in him ... sin, yea, it did hang upon them as weights to hinder ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... them, and, declaring that they owed no obedience excepting to the god of their ... It
would be unjust to blame them too severely for their inaccuracies, for what ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Resources
What is an abomination? | GotQuestions.org

What is the abomination of desolation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Queen James Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Abomination: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Abomination

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Abomination to God: Incest

Abomination to God: Lying With a Woman in Her Menses

Abomination to God: Offering Children in Sacrifice

Abomination to God: Offering Seed to Molech

Abomination to God: Sodomy

Abomination to God: Sorcery and Necromancy

Abomination to God: The Hire of a Whore and Price of a Dog, As a Consecrated Gift

Abomination to God: Uncleanness

Abomination to God: Unjust Weights and Measures

Abomination: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Related Terms

Detestation (5 Occurrences)

Desolation (131 Occurrences)

Teeming (18 Occurrences)

Abominable (52 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Desolating (6 Occurrences)

Milcom (8 Occurrences)

Crawling (20 Occurrences)

Swarming (19 Occurrences)

Sidonians (16 Occurrences)

Things (10975 Occurrences)

Chemosh (8 Occurrences)

Vile (59 Occurrences)

Ashtoreth (3 Occurrences)

Abominate (10 Occurrences)

Detestable (121 Occurrences)

Molech (16 Occurrences)

Creeping (43 Occurrences)

Fowls (61 Occurrences)

Olives (30 Occurrences)

Egyptians (108 Occurrences)

Perverse (55 Occurrences)

Builded (65 Occurrences)

Corruption (37 Occurrences)

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)

Balance (12 Occurrences)

Moabites (26 Occurrences)

Observe (216 Occurrences)

Ossifrage (2 Occurrences)

Ospray (2 Occurrences)

Loathsome (20 Occurrences)

Gier-eagle (4 Occurrences)

Graven (61 Occurrences)

Womankind (2 Occurrences)

Winged (69 Occurrences)

Investigate (11 Occurrences)

Impure (28 Occurrences)

Froward (21 Occurrences)

Fins (5 Occurrences)

Flying (22 Occurrences)

Fours (4 Occurrences)

Readeth (19 Occurrences)

Reads (5 Occurrences)

Reading (58 Occurrences)

Reader (5 Occurrences)

Engraved (62 Occurrences)

Detests (7 Occurrences)

Defiles (12 Occurrences)

Delights (39 Occurrences)

Detest (15 Occurrences)

Moloch (2 Occurrences)

Moves (30 Occurrences)

Mouse (2 Occurrences)

Practices (80 Occurrences)

Blushing (6 Occurrences)

Blush (16 Occurrences)

Bearded (2 Occurrences)

Bacchus

Balances (15 Occurrences)

Creep (8 Occurrences)

Carcase (38 Occurrences)

Crawleth (5 Occurrences)

Appalment (10 Occurrences)

Abhorrent (9 Occurrences)

Appropriate (19 Occurrences)

Sacrilege (3 Occurrences)

Shouldst (61 Occurrences)

Sea-eagle (2 Occurrences)

Scales (33 Occurrences)

Standing (334 Occurrences)

Idol (56 Occurrences)

Diverse (15 Occurrences)

Searched (71 Occurrences)

Insects (17 Occurrences)

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Declaring (48 Occurrences)

Thoroughly (48 Occurrences)

Understand (208 Occurrences)

Abomination to God: Uncleanness
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