Deuteronomy 25 15

Deuteronomy 25:15 kjv

But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 25:15 nkjv

You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure, that your days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 25:15 niv

You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 25:15 esv

A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 25:15 nlt

Yes, always use honest weights and measures, so that you may enjoy a long life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 25 verses

Deuteronomy 25 15 Meaning

Deuteronomy 25:15 mandates absolute honesty and integrity in all commercial transactions by requiring accurate and fair weights and measures. This command is presented as a fundamental aspect of righteous living, directly linked to God's blessing of a prolonged and secure existence for the Israelites in the land promised to them by the Lord their God. It underscores that spiritual obedience extends to practical, everyday dealings, forming the basis of a just society and ensuring the community's flourishing.

Deuteronomy 25 15 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 25 provides a collection of diverse laws designed to maintain the purity and justice of the Israelite community, following directly from instructions on proper judicial conduct. The chapter covers rules regarding bodily punishment, the ox not to be muzzled while threshing, levirate marriage, the appropriate limits of discipline, and specifically in verses 13-16, the command for honest weights and measures. This specific instruction comes immediately before the command to utterly blot out the memory of Amalek, framing integrity in commerce as essential to Israel's national and spiritual well-being, on par with righteous warfare. Historically, in the ancient Near East, trade was a primary means of exchange, and dishonest practices, such as having multiple sets of weights or manipulating measures, were prevalent. This divine mandate sharply distinguished Israel from surrounding nations, establishing a society founded on justice and truth, reflective of God’s own character.

Deuteronomy 25 15 Word analysis

• You shall have: The Hebrew `לֹא תִהְיֶה לְךָ` (lo tiyeh l'kha), normally "you shall not have," but here it's `תִהְיֶה לְךָ` (tiyeh l'kha) - a positive command, implying "there shall be for you." This denotes active possession and responsibility for the standards in one's business. It is a direct, imperative command to each individual.
• a full: The Hebrew `שְׁלֵמָה` (shlemáh), means complete, perfect, sound, undivided. It implies not only full in quantity but also wholesome, representing integrity. It indicates that the weight or measure should be the entire and undiminished amount it purports to be.
• and just: The Hebrew `וָצֶדֶק` (vatzédeq), meaning righteousness, justice, equity. It moves beyond mere physical accuracy to encompass moral uprightness. It's not just "full," but also correct according to the standard, fair to both parties. This speaks to the moral dimension of business dealings.
• weight: The Hebrew `אֶבֶן` (ʾeven), literally means "stone." In antiquity, weights were often carved from stone. This refers to the standard units of weight used in commerce, like shekels. The choice of 'stone' also suggests stability and permanence, aligning with God's unchangeable standards.
• a full and just: Repetition of `שְׁלֵמָה וָצֶדֶק` (shlemáh vatzédeq) emphasizes the requirement for integrity applying equally to both categories of measurement. It is not an either/or but a demand for absolute adherence in both.
• measure: The Hebrew `אֵיפָה` (ephah) in Lev 19:36 but here more broadly `מִדָּה` (middah), meaning "measure" in general, referring to dry goods or even liquids, emphasizing all forms of capacity measurement. It underscores that all forms of trading require exactitude and fairness.
• that your days may be long: This is a classic Deuteronomic blessing (`לְמַעַן יַאֲרִיכוּ יָמֶיךָ` - lemaʿan yaʾarichu yamayka). It links obedience directly to life and flourishing. It is not necessarily individual longevity alone, but the continuation and security of the community and its dwelling in the promised land, extending to future generations. This promise grounds the ethical command in divine covenantal blessing.
• in the land: Refers specifically to the Promised Land, Canaan. This blessing highlights that a nation built on God’s principles of justice will enjoy stability and divine presence within the territory granted by Him.
• that the LORD your God is giving you: Reinforces the source of both the land and the commandment. It highlights the covenant relationship and God's role as the provider and Lawgiver. It implies that stewardship of the land involves living righteously according to His statutes.

• "a full and just weight, a full and just measure": This phrase highlights God's demand for double integrity – complete accuracy and moral fairness. It reflects the meticulousness of God's justice, not allowing for even minor deceptions or shortfalls. The pairing emphasizes that all forms of commerce, whether by weight (e.g., metals, spices) or by volume (e.g., grain, oil), must be conducted with absolute probity.
• "that your days may be long in the land": This phrase serves as the covenantal incentive and consequence. It teaches that the well-being and stability of a nation are contingent upon its moral fabric, which includes commercial ethics. Disobeying this law leads to national instability and eventual removal from the land, whereas obedience leads to sustained blessing and tenure. It links mundane economic practice to ultimate divine reward.
• "the LORD your God is giving you": This repeated phrase throughout Deuteronomy acts as a powerful motivator and reminder of divine grace. The land is not earned through human effort alone but is a gracious gift from God. Therefore, how one lives in that land must align with the character of the Giver, making integrity a spiritual act of gratitude and worship.

Deuteronomy 25 15 Bonus section

The concept of "full and just" (or "exact and honest") standards extended beyond simple commerce. It served as a pedagogical tool, teaching Israel that God Himself operates with perfect justice and demands nothing less from His people in all areas of life—in judgment, in social interactions, and even in religious offerings. The use of material weights and measures to illustrate a moral principle grounds abstract righteousness in tangible, everyday actions. This law was a powerful statement that the invisible God of Israel cared about even the most minute details of human interaction, setting a standard far above contemporary societal norms. The Deuteronomic emphasis on obedience leading to life in the land is a holistic worldview: a rightly ordered economic life contributes to a flourishing social and spiritual life, collectively experiencing God's favor.

Deuteronomy 25 15 Commentary

Deuteronomy 25:15 encapsulates a core principle of Mosaic law: that righteousness is not confined to the sanctuary but must pervade every aspect of life, including the marketplace. It asserts that honesty in commerce is not merely good business practice but a fundamental expression of one's covenant relationship with the LORD. The command for "full and just" weights and measures implies zero tolerance for any form of economic deceit, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. This ethical standard was radical in the ancient world, directly opposing the prevalent practices of deception for personal gain. God, as the righteous judge and the Giver of the land, demands that His people reflect His character in their dealings. The promise of "long days in the land" signifies that national longevity, stability, and prosperity are inextricably linked to a society's adherence to justice. This command builds trust within the community, reflects God's own unchangeable nature, and establishes a society grounded in equity. In application, it means believers are called to scrupulous honesty in all transactions, understanding that their work, goods, and services are a reflection of their worship and a testament to God's standard.