Proverbs 20:10
New International Version
Differing weights and differing measures— the LORD detests them both.

New Living Translation
False weights and unequal measures— the LORD detests double standards of every kind.

English Standard Version
Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.

King James Bible
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

New King James Version
Diverse weights and diverse measures, They are both alike, an abomination to the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

NASB 1995
Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

NASB 1977
Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are an abomination to Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures, Both of them are detestable and offensive to the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
Differing weights and varying measures — both are detestable to the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Differing weights and varying measures— both are detestable to the LORD.

American Standard Version
Diverse weights, and diverse measures, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Two things the LORD hates are dishonest scales and dishonest measures.

English Revised Version
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A double standard of weights and measures- both are disgusting to the LORD.

Good News Translation
The LORD hates people who use dishonest weights and measures.

International Standard Version
FALSE weights and measures— the LORD surely detests both of them.

Majority Standard Bible
Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.

NET Bible
Diverse weights and diverse measures--the LORD abhors both of them.

New Heart English Bible
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

World English Bible
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah, "" Even both of them [are] an abomination to YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah, Even both of them are an abomination to Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
A stone and stone, an ephah and ephah, an abomination of Jehovah, also they two.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.

New American Bible
Varying weights, varying measures, are both an abomination to the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Diverse weights and diverse measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Diverse weights and diverse measures, both alike, are an abomination in the presence of the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Discrepant weights and discrepant measures, both are despised before LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Divers weights, and divers measures, Both of them alike are abomination to the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A large and small weight, and divers measures, are even both of them unclean before the Lord; and so is he that makes them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wine is a Mocker
9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”? 10Differing weights and unequal measures— both are detestable to the LORD. 11Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.…

Cross References
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 that the LORD your God is giving you. ...

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.

Micah 6:10-11
Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed? / Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?

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.

Hosea 12:7
A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.

Ezekiel 45:10-12
You must use honest scales, a just ephah, and a just bath. / The ephah and the bath shall be the same quantity so that the bath will contain a tenth of a homer, and the ephah a tenth of a homer; the homer will be the standard measure for both. / The shekel will consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels will equal one mina.

Proverbs 11:1
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.

Proverbs 16:11
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

Proverbs 20:23
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.

Job 31:6
let God weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity.

Isaiah 1:22
Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water.

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Mark 4:24
He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.

James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.


Treasury of Scripture

Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 25:13
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.

both

Proverbs 20:23
Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Proverbs 16:11
A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

abomination

Deuteronomy 7:25,26
The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God…

Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

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Proverbs 20
1. Proper Living














Differing weights
The phrase "differing weights" refers to the use of dishonest scales or measures in trade. In ancient times, weights were used to determine the value of goods in transactions. The Hebrew word for "weights" is "אֶבֶן" (even), which literally means "stone." Merchants would use stones of varying sizes to weigh products, and dishonest traders might use heavier or lighter stones to cheat customers. This practice is condemned throughout the Bible as it represents deceit and injustice. The use of differing weights is a metaphor for dishonesty in any form, emphasizing the importance of integrity and fairness in all dealings.

Unequal measures
"Unequal measures" further emphasizes the concept of fairness in trade. The Hebrew word for "measures" is "אֵיפָה" (ephah), a unit of dry measure. Just as with weights, using unequal measures was a way to defraud others. This phrase highlights the broader principle of honesty and equity, not just in commerce but in all aspects of life. The Bible consistently calls for just and fair treatment of others, reflecting God's character as just and righteous. Unequal measures symbolize any form of partiality or bias, which is contrary to God's nature.

Both are detestable
The word "detestable" is translated from the Hebrew "תּוֹעֵבָה" (to'evah), which means something that is abominable or loathsome. This strong language indicates the severity with which God views dishonest practices. In the biblical context, actions that are "detestable" are those that are fundamentally opposed to God's will and character. This term is often used in the Old Testament to describe practices that are morally and spiritually repugnant. The use of "detestable" underscores the seriousness of maintaining integrity and justice, as these are foundational to a righteous life.

to the LORD
The phrase "to the LORD" reminds us that God is the ultimate judge of human actions. The Hebrew name for God used here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with His people. This phrase indicates that God is not indifferent to human behavior; He actively observes and judges the actions of individuals. The LORD's detestation of dishonest practices reflects His desire for His people to mirror His own righteousness and justice. It serves as a reminder that our actions are accountable to God, and we are called to live in a way that honors Him.

(10) Divers weights and divers measures . . .--See above on Proverbs 11:1.

Verse 10. - Divers weights, and divers measures; literally, stone and stone, ephah and ephah. The stones were used for weighing: dishonest traders kept them of different weights, and also measures of different capacities, substituting one for the other in order to defraud unwary customers. The Septuagint makes this plain by rendering, "A weight great and small, and measures double" (see on Proverbs 11:1 and Proverbs 16:11; and comp. ver. 23). The ephah was a dry measure, being one-tenth of the homer, and occupying the same position in solids as the bath did in liquids. It equalled about three pecks of our measure. Both of them are alike abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 17:15; comp. Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 25:13, etc.); Septuagint, "Are impure before the Lord, even both of them, and he who doeth them." Pseudo-Bernard ('De Pass. Dom.,' 17.), applying the passage mystically, teaches that a man may be said to keep a double measure, who, being conscious of his own evil character, endeavours to appear righteous to others; who, as he puts it, "Suo judicio terrae proximus est, et aliis cupit elevatus videri." Others, connecting this verse in thought with the preceding, see in it a warning against judging a neighbour by a standard which we do not apply to ourselves. The Septuagint Version arranges the matter from ver. 10 onwards differently from the Hebrew, omitting vers. 14-19, and placing vers. 10-13 after ver. 22.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Differing
אֶ֣בֶן (’e·ḇen)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

weights
וָ֭אֶבֶן (wā·’e·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

and unequal measures—
אֵיפָ֣ה (’ê·p̄āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 374: Ephah -- an ephah (a measure of grain)

both
שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃ (šə·nê·hem)
Number - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

are detestable
תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת (tō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

to the LORD.
יְ֝הוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:10 Differing weights and differing measures both (Prov. Pro Pr)
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