Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
Proverbs 20:23 · KJV
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Other translations

WEB

Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

KJV

Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

Word study

Divers weights ʼeben H68
are an abomination tôwʻêbah H8441
unto the LORD; Yᵉhôvâh H3068
and a false mirmâh H4820
balance môʼzên H3976
is not lôʼ H3808
good. ṭôwb H2896

Commentary

Matthew Henry

This is to the same purport with what was said Pro 20:20. 1. It is here repeated, because it is a sin that God doubly hates (as lying, which is of the same nature with this sin, is mentioned twice among the seven things that God hates, Pro 6:17, Pro 6:19), and because it was probably a sin very much practised at that time in Israel, and therefore made light of as if there were no harm in it, under pretence that, being commonly used, there was no trading without it. 2. It is here added, A false balance is not good, to intimate that it is not only abominable to God, but unprofitable to the sinner himself; there is really no good to be got by it, no, not a good bargain, for a bargain made by fraud will prove a losing bargain in the end.

John Gill

Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord,.... See Gill on Pro 20:10; which is here repeated for the further confirmation of it, and that it might be taken notice of and avoided; and perhaps this sin of using false weights and measures was common with the Jews;

and a false balance is not good; in the sight of God; but an abomination, as in Pro 11:1; nor is it good for men in the issue; for though they may gain by it at present, it will prove a loss to them in the end, since it will bring a curse on all they get.

JFB

(Compare Pro 20:10; Pro 11:1).

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