Deuteronomy 25 14

Deuteronomy 25:14 kjv

Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small.

Deuteronomy 25:14 nkjv

You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small.

Deuteronomy 25:14 niv

Do not have two differing measures in your house?one large, one small.

Deuteronomy 25:14 esv

You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small.

Deuteronomy 25:14 nlt

and you must use full and honest measures.

Deuteronomy 25 verses

Deuteronomy 25 14 Meaning

Deuteronomy 25:14 unequivocally prohibits the possession or use of dishonest weights in trade. It specifically outlaws "varying weights" (אֶבֶן וָאָבֶן, ʾeven wāʾaven), illustrating this by naming "a large and a small." This implies maintaining two sets of weights: one heavier, used for buying (to acquire more product for the same declared weight), and one lighter, used for selling (to dispense less product than the declared weight). The command underscores God's demand for absolute integrity and fairness in all commercial transactions, recognizing that such deception exploits and harms others, particularly the vulnerable.

Deuteronomy 25 14 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 25 provides a mosaic of civil and ethical laws for Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land. The regulations span diverse areas, including levirate marriage, limits on corporal punishment, concern for animals, and just economic practices. Verses 13-16, specifically concerning weights and measures, fall within a larger section (chapters 12-26) detailing the practical outworking of the covenant laws. This command about honest weights immediately follows a regulation regarding fair payment to a worker and precedes the severe prohibition against keeping differing weights. Historically, commerce in the ancient Near East was crucial, with weights and measures being fundamental for exchange. Dishonest practices were common and would directly impact the trust and stability of a community. By commanding absolute integrity, Moses emphasizes that God’s righteousness must permeate even the marketplace, establishing a moral economic foundation that distinguishes Israel from surrounding nations where exploitative practices might have been routine. This law inherently opposes any system or belief that permits or encourages dishonesty for personal gain.

Deuteronomy 25 14 Word analysis

• You shall not have (לֹא־יִהְיֶה לְךָ lo yihyeh lĕḵā): A strong, absolute negative prohibition. This is not merely against using, but even possessing, implying that preparing or intending to deceive is also forbidden. It speaks to a commitment of heart, not just actions.
• in your house (בְּבֵיתְךָ bəḇeṯəḵā): Refers to one's personal possession and place of storage or business. It extends the principle of justice from the public square to the private domain, ensuring integrity at all times, not just when being observed. Ancient homes often doubled as places of trade.
• varying weights (אֶבֶן וָאָבֶן ʾeven wāʾaven): Literally translates as "a stone and a stone," signifying two distinct or different kinds of stones used as weights. This Hebraism denotes variation, often implying an intentional discrepancy. Weights in ancient times were often literally shaped stones. The repetition underscores the duality and deceptive nature.
• a large and a small (גְּדוֹלָה וּקְטַנָּה gĕdôlâ ûqəṭannâ): These adjectives specify the type of variation forbidden. The "large" weight would be used to weigh what one buys, making it seem heavier and thus requiring the buyer to pay more or receive less value. The "small" weight would be used when one sells, making goods seem lighter than they are, allowing the seller to give less product for the full price. This pairing covers both sides of potential fraud.

• "You shall not have in your house varying weights": This phrase encapsulates the core command: complete prohibition of possessing tools for deceit, even if not currently in use. The "house" signifies one's personal sphere and possessions, reflecting that God's standards extend to one's private life and commercial dealings. This is a proleptic prohibition, forbidding the means for sin, not just the act.
• "a large and a small": This descriptive phrase elucidates the specific nature of the forbidden "varying weights." It concretely details how such deception might be carried out—one weight for gaining advantage when buying, and another for gaining advantage when selling. It removes any ambiguity about what constitutes dishonest practice.

Deuteronomy 25 14 Bonus section

• Theological Foundation: This law highlights God’s inherent righteousness (Lev 19:36, Ps 33:5), emphasizing that His people must reflect His character in all spheres of life, including the mundane realm of commerce.
• Protection of the Vulnerable: The command serves as a critical protection for the weaker members of society, particularly the poor, widows, and orphans, who are often most susceptible to exploitation through dishonest trade practices. Their limited resources make every unit of exchange vital.
• Contrast with Nations: This specific law set Israel apart from many ancient Near Eastern cultures where shrewdness in business, often involving deceptive practices, might have been admired rather than condemned. Israel was to embody a different standard.
• Social Harmony: Adherence to this law fosters trust and stability within the community, reinforcing the social fabric by preventing exploitation and resentment that arise from unjust dealings. It underscores that economic ethics are central to societal well-being in God's eyes.
• Idolatry Connection (Implicit): Dishonest gain can become an idol, prioritizing personal wealth above God's commands and neighbor's welfare. In this sense, using dishonest weights is not merely a moral failure but a form of functional idolatry, serving self-interest rather than God.

Deuteronomy 25 14 Commentary

Deuteronomy 25:14 is more than a mere commercial regulation; it's a foundational statement about the character of God reflected in human interaction. God, being perfectly just and righteous, abhors dishonesty and fraud. The command emphasizes that integrity is not just for ceremonial contexts but must pervade daily life, especially commerce, which touches everyone. The presence of two different sets of weights (one heavier for buying, one lighter for selling) illustrates intentional deceit, designed to exploit others for personal gain. This harms the poor disproportionately and erodes community trust. By forbidding even the possession of such tools, God commands an inward purity of intention and an outward lifestyle of scrupulous honesty, reminding Israel that their entire economic system must be founded on divine justice, contrasting with surrounding pagan practices that often condoned or ignored such exploitation. This principle finds modern application in accurately representing products, transparent pricing, and ensuring fair exchange in all dealings.