Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5512 scales and balances

Weighing devices designed to ensure fair dealing. The terms are also used metaphorically in Scripture.

Scales and balances were used in business transactions

Jeremiah 32:10

Scales and balances should not be used dishonestly

Exhortations to honest dealing

Leviticus 19:35-36 See also Ezekiel 45:10

The LORD hates dishonest dealing

Proverbs 20:10 See also Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 16:11; Proverbs 20:23

Dishonest dealing was one of the reasons for God's judgment on his people

Jeremiah 5:1 See also Hosea 12:6-7; Amos 8:4-8; Micah 6:10-13

Scales and balances used metaphorically

To emphasise Job's distress

Job 6:2

To highlight God's greatness

Isaiah 40:15 See also Isaiah 40:12

Of God's judgment

Daniel 5:25-30 See also Ezekiel 5:1-2; Revelation 6:5-6

See also

5347  injustice
5614  weights & measures, laws
8714  dishonesty
9210  judgment, God's