Proverbs 16:11 kjv

A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

Proverbs 16:11 nkjv

Honest weights and scales are the LORD's; All the weights in the bag are His work.

Proverbs 16:11 niv

Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

Proverbs 16:11 esv

A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

Proverbs 16:11 nlt

The LORD demands accurate scales and balances;
he sets the standards for fairness.

Proverbs 16 verses

Proverbs 16 11 Meaning

Proverbs 16:11 declares that precise and ethical standards of measurement, symbolized by the balance and weights, are not arbitrary human creations but are instituted and owned by the Lord. This means that God demands absolute integrity and fairness in all commercial transactions, as the very tools and principles of such dealings originate from Him and are subject to His sovereign authority and righteous character.

Proverbs 16 11 Context

Proverbs 16 stands within a broader collection of wise sayings primarily attributed to Solomon, focusing on various aspects of life, character, and governance. Chapter 16, specifically, is a rich exposition on God's sovereignty over human plans, decisions, and speech. Verses such as 16:1 ("The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord") and 16:9 ("The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps") highlight God's ultimate control. Within this overarching theme of divine sovereignty, verse 11 fits seamlessly by extending God's dominion to the sphere of commercial honesty and ethical standards.

In ancient Israel, as in many ancient societies, trade heavily relied on physical scales and sets of stone weights. The temptation for merchants to use lighter weights when selling and heavier weights when buying, or to employ "differing weights," was a pervasive challenge to integrity. The Old Testament Law strongly and repeatedly forbade such practices (Lev 19:35-36; Deut 25:13-16). Proverbs 16:11 directly reinforces these legal strictures by elevating the principle to a divine mandate rather than just a legal or social convention.

Historically and culturally, the verse functions as a direct polemic against any belief or practice that permitted deceit for profit, whether justified by expediency, a polytheistic worldview that had amoral deities, or a self-centered approach to commerce. It challenges the notion that business ethics are purely human constructs or that manipulating standards for personal gain is acceptable. Instead, it firmly roots justice in the marketplace in the unchanging character and sovereign decree of Yahweh, presenting honest measures as reflecting divine order and dishonesty as an offense against God Himself.

Proverbs 16 11 Word analysis

• "A just balance": (מֹאזְנֵי צֶדֶק - mo'z'nei tzedeq)

  • מֹאזְנֵי (mo'z'nei): Plural form for "balances" or "scales," referring to the instrument for weighing goods. Its plural nature might suggest the two pans of a balance, implying a requirement for proper equilibrium.
  • צֶדֶק (tzedeq): Signifies "justice," "righteousness," "equity," or "correctness." This word imbues the physical instrument with a profound moral quality, demanding that it be used with impartial accuracy.
  • Significance: It stresses that fairness and rectitude are integral to the very instruments of trade, aligning commercial tools with divine moral standards.

• "and scales": (וָפֶלֶס - va'peles)

  • וָ (va-): "And," linking to the previous concept.
  • פֶלֶס (peles): Can mean "level," "plumb line," or "steelyard balance," often referring to the crossbar or beam of the balance or perhaps the standard of measurement itself. Its inclusion further emphasizes precision, exactness, and consistency in weighing, moving beyond the simple concept of a balance to include all components necessary for accuracy.
  • Significance: This reiterates and strengthens the emphasis on perfect accuracy and a universally applied standard in all measurements.

• "are the LORD's": (לַיהוָה - la'Yahweh)

  • לַ (la-): A preposition meaning "to," "for," or "belonging to."
  • יְהוָה (Yahweh): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, absolute sovereignty and divine ownership.
  • Significance: This is the central declaration. It states that not only are just standards morally good, but they are divinely owned and originate from the God of Israel. They are not merely ethical human principles but a part of God's character and dominion.

• "all the weights": (כָּל־אַבְנֵי - kol-avnei)

  • כָּל־ (kol-): "All," "every," a comprehensive quantifier.
  • אַבְנֵי (avnei): "Stones of" (from even, "stone"). In ancient times, pre-measured stones served as counterweights for the balance. These weights often varied and could be tampered with.
  • Significance: Refers to the physical, quantifiable units of measurement. The inclusion of "all" underscores that every single unit, not just the instrument, must conform to God's standard of justice, allowing for no partiality or manipulation.

• "in the bag": (כִּיס - kis)

  • כִּיס (kis): "Bag," "purse," or "pouch." This refers to the portable container merchants used to carry their set of weights.
  • Significance: Specifies the context and portability of the weights, bringing the divine principle directly into the realm of daily, practical commerce. It implies God's oversight extends even to the tools carried for transactions, leaving no room for hidden deceit.

• "are His work": (מַעֲשֵׂהוּ - ma'asehu)

  • מַעֲשֵׂהוּ (ma'asehu): "His doing," "His making," "His handiwork," "His act." This denotes divine authorship, decree, and active establishment.
  • Significance: This asserts that God not only possesses and approves of just weights, but He also established the very principles of fairness and accuracy they represent. It's His decree, woven into the fabric of creation and moral order, ensuring that right measuring and ethical exchange reflect His divine character.

• "A just balance and scales are the LORD's": This phrase firmly establishes that the fundamental tools and principles of honest commerce are under God's dominion. It means ethical trading is not a human invention but a divine expectation, intrinsically linked to the character and ownership of God.

• "all the weights in the bag are His work": This part emphasizes the detailed application of God's sovereignty. It moves from the general concept of 'balances' to the specific 'weights' themselves, and their storage place. This signifies that every individual unit, every tiny aspect of an economic transaction, is divinely ordered and falls under God's watchful eye and is His specific design and decree for human interaction.

Proverbs 16 11 Bonus section

The concept of "weights in the bag" (Hebrew: kis) being "His work" is particularly poignant when compared with other Proverbs that condemn "differing weights" (Prov 20:10, 23). While "differing weights" imply having two sets of weights—one for cheating and one for honest dealings—Proverbs 16:11 presents a singular set of just weights, now emphatically declared to be God's handiwork. This reframing serves to purify the very instruments of commerce. It asserts that true weights, untampered and consistent, reflect God's unchanging nature and His insistence on truth and order. Thus, every honest measure becomes an embodiment of God's character and a testament to His rule, moving the practice of trade from a potentially morally neutral or corruptible activity to one consecrated by divine ownership and design. This principle applies not only to ancient physical balances but to all modern systems of measurement, pricing, and evaluation, challenging believers to seek justice and truth in all economic and social structures.

Proverbs 16 11 Commentary

Proverbs 16:11 presents a foundational truth about divine sovereignty extending to the minute details of daily commerce. It reveals that the Lord not only demands integrity in human dealings but is also the very originator and owner of the standards by which true justice operates. A "just balance" (accuracy in measurement) and "weights" (the established standards) are not human inventions or conventions open to manipulation; they are divinely established principles reflecting God’s own righteous character. Therefore, an honest transaction is not merely a social courtesy but an act of obedience and worship. Conversely, any form of deception in the marketplace, from altered scales to counterfeit weights, is not simply a transgression against fellow human beings, but an offense against God, whose very work establishes justice in all things. This verse teaches that economic ethics are ultimately theological, as all spheres of life fall under His sovereign design and watchful eye.

For practical usage, this verse instructs us:

• Business Integrity: Always deal honestly in all financial and commercial interactions. Your word, your prices, your product's quality, and your service must be genuine.
• Personal Ethics: Apply principles of truth and fairness in all personal relationships and transactions, recognizing that God observes all.
• Work Ethic: Fulfill responsibilities and perform duties with integrity and diligence, as unto the Lord.