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. You must maintainThe phrase "You must maintain" underscores a command rather than a suggestion. The Hebrew root here is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which means to keep, guard, or observe. This implies a continuous, active responsibility. In the context of ancient Israel, maintaining something was not merely about preservation but about active engagement and diligence. This reflects the broader biblical principle of stewardship, where God's people are called to actively uphold His standards in all areas of life. accurate and honest weights and measures
The terms "accurate and honest weights and measures" are derived from the Hebrew words "אֶבֶן" (even) for weight and "מִשְׁקָל" (mishkal) for measure. In ancient times, trade was conducted using physical weights and measures, and integrity in these was crucial for justice and fairness. The call for accuracy and honesty is a call to reflect God's character, who is just and true. This principle extends beyond commerce to all dealings, emphasizing the importance of integrity in every aspect of life. so that you may live long
The phrase "so that you may live long" is a promise of longevity tied to obedience. The Hebrew word "אָרַךְ" (arak) means to prolong or lengthen. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where blessings are contingent upon obedience. It is a reminder that God's laws are designed for the well-being of His people, and adherence to them brings about a flourishing life. in the land
"In the land" refers specifically to the Promised Land, Canaan, which God was giving to the Israelites. The Hebrew word "אֶרֶץ" (eretz) signifies not just a physical territory but a place of divine promise and blessing. The land was a tangible sign of God's covenant with His people, and living in it required adherence to His laws as a demonstration of faithfulness. the LORD your God
"The LORD your God" is a profound declaration of the covenant relationship. The name "LORD" is translated from "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the personal name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. "Your God" personalizes this relationship, indicating that the Israelites are His chosen people. This phrase is a reminder of God's sovereignty and the personal nature of His covenant with Israel. is giving you
The phrase "is giving you" highlights the ongoing action of God as the provider. The Hebrew verb "נָתַן" (natan) means to give, grant, or bestow. This reflects the grace of God, who freely gives the land to His people, not because of their merit but because of His promise. It underscores the unearned favor and generosity of God, encouraging a response of gratitude and obedience. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe audience receiving the law, preparing to enter the Promised Land. 3. Promised LandThe land God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who commands justice and righteousness. 5. Weights and MeasuresTools used in trade and commerce, representing fairness and integrity. Teaching Points Integrity in BusinessGod values honesty in all transactions. As Christians, we are called to reflect His character by maintaining integrity in our business dealings. Justice and RighteousnessThe command for honest weights and measures is a call to uphold justice and righteousness in society. It reminds us that our actions should promote fairness and equity. Blessings of ObedienceThe promise of a long life in the land is tied to obedience. Living according to God's standards brings blessings and stability. Reflecting God's CharacterAs God's people, we are to reflect His nature in our interactions. This includes being truthful and fair, which builds trust and community. Practical FaithOur faith should be evident in practical ways, such as how we conduct business and treat others. This passage challenges us to live out our faith in everyday actions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command for honest weights and measures reflect God's character? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of integrity in our modern-day business practices? 3. How does maintaining honesty in our dealings impact our witness as Christians? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure fairness and justice in our communities? 5. How do the promises associated with obedience in Deuteronomy 25:15 encourage us to live according to God's standards today? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 19:35-36Reinforces the command for honest weights and measures, emphasizing holiness and justice. Proverbs 11:1Highlights that dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are His delight. Amos 8:5Condemns those who cheat with dishonest scales, showing God's disdain for economic injustice. Micah 6:11Questions the integrity of those who use dishonest scales, linking it to broader societal corruption. Luke 6:38Encourages giving and receiving in good measure, reflecting the principle of fairness and integrity. People Amalek, Amalekites, Ephah, MosesPlaces Amalek, Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics TRUE, Ephah, Full, Gives, Giveth, Giving, Ground, Hast, Honest, Lengthened, Measure, Measures, Perfect, Prolong, Prolonged, Stone, Weight, WeightsDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 25:15 5361 justice, human Deuteronomy 25:13-16 5242 buying and selling
8275 honesty Library Therefore at that Time, when the Law Also...
27. Therefore at that time, when the Law also, following upon the days of the Patriarchs, [2010] pronounced accursed, whoso raised not up seed in Israel, even he, who could, put it not forth, but yet possessed it. But from the period that the fullness of time hath come, [2011] that it should be said, "Whoso can receive, let him receive," [2012] from that period even unto this present, and from henceforth even unto the end, whoso hath, worketh: whoso shall be unwilling to work, let him not falsely …
St. Augustine—On the Good of MarriageThe Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
"But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise,--Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth; and in thine heart:' that is, the word of Faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from …
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed, Anna More Blessed...
10. Nor, because I called Ruth blessed, Anna more blessed, in that the former married twice, the latter, being soon widowed of her one husband, so lived long, do you straightway also think that you are better than Ruth. Forsooth different in the times of the Prophets was the dispensation of holy females, whom obedience, not lust, forced to marry, for the propagation of the people of God, [2242] that in them Prophets of Christ might be sent beforehand; whereas the People itself also, by those things …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood. Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Of those who are Able to Profit Others by virtuous Example in Supreme Rule, but Fly from it in Pursuit of their Own Ease.
For there are some who are eminently endowed with virtues, and for the training of others are exalted by great gifts, who are pure in zeal for chastity, strong in the might of abstinence, filled with the feasts of doctrine, humble in the long-suffering of patience, erect in the fortitude of authority, tender in the grace of loving-kindness, strict in the severity of justice. Truly such as these, if when called they refuse to undertake offices of supreme rule, for the most part deprive themselves …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
^A Matt. I. 1-17. ^a 1 The book of the generation [or genealogy] of Jesus Christ, the son of David [the Messiah was promised to David--II. Sam. vii. 16; John vii. 42], the son of Abraham. [Messiah was also promised to Abraham--Gen. xxii. 18; Gal. iii. 16.] 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren [mentioned here because they were the heads of the tribes for whom especially Matthew wrote his Gospel]; 3 and Judah begat Perez and Zerah [these two were twins] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
Now the sanctifying of the Sabbath consists in two things--First, In resting from all servile and common business pertaining to our natural life; Secondly, In consecrating that rest wholly to the service of God, and the use of those holy means which belong to our spiritual life. For the First. 1. The servile and common works from which we are to cease are, generally, all civil works, from the least to the greatest (Exod. xxxi. 12, 13, 15, &c.) More particularly-- First, From all the works of our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
(Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision B. Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection. ^A Matt. XXII. 23-33; ^B Mark XII. 18-27; ^C Luke XX. 27-39. ^a 23 On that day there came { ^b come} unto him ^c certain of the the Sadducees, they that { ^b who} say there is no resurrection [As to the Sadducees, see p. 71. We may regard their attitude toward Christ as expressed by their leader Caiaphas, see p. 528]; and they asked him, saying, 19 Teacher, Moses wrote unto us [See Deut. xxv. 5, …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Preaching (iii. ).
Eternal Fulness, overflow to me Till I, Thy vessel, overflow for Thee; For sure the streams that make Thy garden grow Are never fed but by an overflow: Not till Thy prophets with Thyself run o'er Are Israel's watercourses full once more. Again I treat of the sermon. We have looked, my younger Brother and I, at some main secrets and prescriptions for attractive preaching. What shall I more say on the subject of the pulpit? In the first place I will offer a few miscellaneous suggestions, and then …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 25:15 NIVDeuteronomy 25:15 NLTDeuteronomy 25:15 ESVDeuteronomy 25:15 NASBDeuteronomy 25:15 KJV
Deuteronomy 25:15 Commentaries
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