Proverbs 11:1 kjv

A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Proverbs 11:1 nkjv

Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.

Proverbs 11:1 niv

The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.

Proverbs 11:1 esv

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.

Proverbs 11:1 nlt

The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales,
but he delights in accurate weights.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 1 Meaning

Proverbs 11:1 unequivocally declares God's severe disapproval of dishonesty, particularly in commercial dealings, while affirming His pleasure in uprightness. It portrays a false, deceptive weighing scale as an abhorrent practice to the Creator, juxtaposing it with a perfectly true and just weight that brings Him delight. This principle extends beyond commerce to all areas of life, reflecting a divine standard for truthfulness and integrity.

Proverbs 11 1 Context

Proverbs, as part of the Old Testament's wisdom literature, frequently addresses practical matters of daily life, emphasizing that genuine piety permeates all aspects of existence, including commerce. Proverbs 11:1 serves as an opening proverb in a chapter filled with antithetical parallelisms that contrast the righteous with the wicked, highlighting their respective consequences and relationship with God. This verse immediately sets a tone for divine ethics, demonstrating that God is intimately concerned with how His people conduct their business. In the ancient Near East, the marketplace was fundamental to society, and scales with weights were the primary means of transaction. Without standardized government weights, individual merchants often kept their own sets, creating ample opportunity for deception. The verse, therefore, acts as a divine polemic against the pervasive sin of economic dishonesty, elevating the standards of justice from human expediency to divine commandment, asserting God's authority over commercial ethics and reflecting His own righteous character.

Proverbs 11 1 Word analysis

• "A false balance": Hebrew mo'znei mirmah (מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה).

  • Mo'znayim (מֹאזְנַיִם): Dual form of mo'zen, meaning "balances" or "scales." It implies a set of two pans, the standard instrument for weighing in the ancient world.
  • Mirmah (מִרְמָה): "deceit," "fraud," "treachery." This word indicates intentional manipulation and suggests a profound moral corruption in the act.

• "is an abomination": Hebrew to'avah (תּוֹעֵבָה).

  • To'avah: A powerful theological term meaning "something utterly detestable," "loathsome," or "repugnant" to God. It signifies practices contrary to God's nature, holiness, or covenant, elevating commercial fraud to a grave offense against the Lord Himself.

• "to the LORD": Hebrew Yahweh (יְהוָה).

  • Yahweh: The personal, covenant name of God in the Old Testament, revealed to Moses. Its inclusion here means this is not just human ethics but a divine decree from the Holy God of Israel.

• "but a just weight": Hebrew even shlemah (אֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה).

  • Even (אֶבֶן): "stone," referring to the actual counterweights used on scales. It emphasizes the tangible standard.
  • Shlemah (שְׁלֵמָה): "complete," "whole," "perfect," "sound," "true." From the root shalem (שלם), it implies accuracy, integrity, and being unadulterated, standing in direct contrast to "deceit."

• "is his delight": Hebrew retzono (רְצוֹנוֹ).

  • Retzon: "delight," "pleasure," "favor," "will," "acceptance." This term expresses God's positive affirmation and enjoyment, signifying that uprightness brings joy and approval to God's heart.

• Words-Group Analysis

  • "A false balance is an abomination to the LORD": This phrase highlights God's intrinsic moral character as utterly opposed to deceit. It criminalizes dishonest business practices in the strongest theological terms, categorizing them not merely as illegal or immoral but as an offense against divine holiness, inviting judgment.
  • "but a just weight is his delight": This clause provides the antithetical complement, revealing God's benevolent response to integrity. It shows that obedience to His standards of truth brings divine favor and joy. This motivates righteous living not just from fear of judgment, but from a desire to please and honor the Creator.

Proverbs 11 1 Bonus section

This verse is often cited in discussions of biblical economics and business ethics, underscoring that faith is not compartmentalized from daily transactions. The repeated emphasis on "just weights and measures" throughout the Pentateuch, prophetic books, and Proverbs signals its critical importance in divine law. It reveals that societal justice begins with individual integrity. The phrase to'avah ("abomination") is a term used for offenses so grievous they pollute the land or invoke God's direct intervention, linking commercial fraud with serious spiritual contamination. Conversely, "his delight" points to God's benevolent oversight, encouraging human activity that aligns with His nature, suggesting that ethical commerce is an act of worship and stewardship that receives divine blessing and approval.

Proverbs 11 1 Commentary

Proverbs 11:1 establishes a foundational ethical principle rooted in God's nature: the demand for absolute integrity, particularly in commerce. A "false balance" represents any form of deceptive practice, signifying God's intense loathing for dishonesty. This "abomination" is not a minor distaste but an affront to His holy character. Conversely, a "just weight"—symbolizing perfect accuracy and fairness—brings Him "delight," reflecting His profound love for righteousness. This verse teaches that seemingly small acts of deceit have significant spiritual implications, connecting practical ethics directly to one's relationship with God. It extends beyond the marketplace to encompass all areas where truth and fairness are at stake, calling believers to embody divine integrity in every transaction and interaction, viewing their conduct not merely through human standards but through the pure lens of God's perfect justice.

• Examples: Using exact measurements in sales; transparent reporting of income; fulfilling contracts precisely; giving full credit for work done; refusing to overcharge or underdeliver.