Leviticus 19 36

Leviticus 19:36 kjv

Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:36 nkjv

You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:36 niv

Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:36 esv

You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:36 nlt

Your scales and weights must be accurate. Your containers for measuring dry materials or liquids must be accurate. I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19 verses

Leviticus 19 36 Meaning

Leviticus 19:36 commands the Israelites to maintain complete integrity and accuracy in their commercial dealings, specifically regarding scales, weights, and measures. This verse emphasizes the requirement for "honest" or "righteous" standards in all transactions involving quantity. The command is anchored in God's identity as the LORD their God, who delivered them from Egypt, implying that such just practices are a foundational response to His gracious salvation. It reflects that holiness permeates all aspects of life, including business and commerce.

Leviticus 19 36 Context

Leviticus 19, often referred to as the "Holiness Code," outlines practical expressions of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. The chapter begins with the foundational command, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (v. 2). Subsequent verses detail how this holiness is to be lived out across various aspects of daily life: worship, social interactions, treatment of the vulnerable, and even agricultural practices. Verse 36 specifically addresses economic integrity within the community. It falls within a section (v. 33-37) dealing with fair treatment of foreigners and the overarching principle of God's character as the basis for Israel's ethical conduct. The immediate context shows how holiness extends beyond cultic rituals into the marketplace, asserting that everyday commercial transactions are also subject to divine ethical standards.

Leviticus 19 36 Word analysis

• Honest (צֶדֶק, tsedeq): This Hebrew term signifies "righteousness," "justice," "equity," or "uprightness." It’s not merely about precision or accuracy, but moral rectitude. The measures must embody what is right and just in God's eyes. It implies a moral standard that goes beyond mere legal compliance.
• Scales (מֹאזְנֵי, moʼzenei): Plural for "balances" or "scales." These were instruments for weighing goods, typically involving two pans balanced on a beam. The command ensures fairness in the primary tool of exchange.
• Weights (אַבְנֵי, avnei): Literally "stones." Weights were often made of stone. This refers to the standard units used to calibrate the scales. Dishonest weights could mean having heavier ones for buying and lighter ones for selling.
• Ephah (אֵיפָה, ’ephah): A dry measure, primarily for grain (like flour or barley). It was a common unit for staple food items. Its size varied but was approximately 0.6 bushels or 22 liters.
• Hin (הִין, hin): A liquid measure, typically for oil or wine. It was a common unit for precious liquids. Its size was roughly 1 gallon or 3.6 liters. The inclusion of both dry and liquid measures signifies the comprehensiveness of the command over all types of commercial goods.
• I am the LORD your God (אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, Ani Yahweh Eloheikhem): This is a powerful self-declaration and legislative formula in the Pentateuch. It serves as a foundational motivation clause, linking the command directly to God’s covenantal identity.
• Who brought you out of the land of Egypt (אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם, ’asher hotseiti etkem me’eretz Mitzrayim): This refers to the Exodus, Israel's formative redemptive act. It reminds them of their past enslavement and God's powerful deliverance, creating an obligation to live righteously as a freed people under His covenant, contrasting their newfound freedom with the oppression they experienced and the self-serving practices of pagan societies.

• "Honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin": This repetition and comprehensive list demonstrate that the principle of "righteousness" applies universally to all tools and standards of measurement. It addresses the common methods of economic deception in the ancient world, where merchants would often use two sets of measures – one short measure for selling to maximize profit, and one large measure for buying to minimize cost.
• "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt": This motive clause is crucial. It roots ethical commercial practice not in abstract moralism, but in God's saving grace and His covenant with Israel. Because God liberated them from slavery and established them as His people, their entire way of life, including their economic conduct, must reflect His holy character. This forms a polemic against the opportunistic and exploitative practices often found in the surrounding pagan cultures that were not grounded in divine revelation or covenant.

Leviticus 19 36 Bonus section

This verse underscores that righteousness (צֶדֶק, tsedeq) is not compartmentalized; it is expected in public square commerce just as it is in the sanctuary. It establishes that ethical commerce is not merely a social construct for maintaining order, but an outworking of covenant loyalty to the Deliverer. The Hebrew phrase "full and just weight" (Deut 25:15) implies not just accuracy, but generosity where possible and never short-changing. The concept of using a "heavy stone" for buying and a "light stone" for selling was a well-known fraudulent practice this law directly condemns, protecting consumers and the poor from exploitation. This principle laid a foundational moral groundwork for fair market systems, far ahead of its time, emphasizing trust and integrity as vital for a flourishing society blessed by God.

Leviticus 19 36 Commentary

Leviticus 19:36 reveals that God's concern for holiness extends to every facet of human life, even seemingly mundane commercial transactions. It elevates economic honesty from mere good business practice to a divine command, fundamental to righteous living and an expression of one's relationship with God. The mandate for "honest scales" and "honest measures" is a call to radical integrity, ensuring that fairness and justice permeate all buying and selling. This principle directly challenges the widespread ancient Near Eastern practice of deceitful trading, making Israel's economic life a distinct witness to God's character. The motivation clause, reminding them of the Exodus, highlights that liberation from slavery in Egypt entailed liberation into responsible, ethical living under God's law. For a community to truly reflect God's holiness, justice must be visible in every exchange, fostering trust and well-being within society, especially for the vulnerable.

Examples:

• A baker consistently uses the exact amount of flour and other ingredients in a loaf of bread that is advertised.
• A seller ensures their produce is weighed accurately, without using tricks to short-change the customer.
• An online vendor accurately describes the product, including any flaws, ensuring the buyer receives exactly what they expect.