Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage in Ancient Times:Balances, also known as scales, were instruments used in ancient times for weighing goods, precious metals, and other commodities. They typically consisted of a beam with a central pivot and two pans suspended at equal distances from the pivot. The use of balances was crucial in trade and commerce, ensuring fair transactions and accurate measurements.
Biblical References:Balances are mentioned several times throughout the Bible, often symbolizing justice, fairness, and integrity. The use of honest balances is emphasized as a reflection of righteous behavior and divine standards.
Old Testament:In the Old Testament, balances are frequently associated with justice and righteousness.
Leviticus 19:36 states, "You must maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This command underscores the importance of honesty in trade and the broader moral implications of using just measures.
Proverbs 11:1 further highlights this theme: "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." Here, the use of honest balances is directly linked to divine approval, while deceitful practices are condemned.
In the prophetic literature, balances are used metaphorically to convey God's judgment. For instance, in
Daniel 5:27, during the interpretation of the writing on the wall, Daniel tells Belshazzar, "TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient." This imagery illustrates the divine assessment of human actions.
New Testament:The New Testament continues to reflect on the moral and ethical implications of balances. In
Revelation 6:5, during the opening of the third seal, a rider on a black horse is described: "And I looked, and behold, a black horse, and its rider had a pair of scales in his hand." This passage is often interpreted as a symbol of economic hardship and scarcity, where the balance represents the careful measurement and rationing of resources.
Symbolism and Moral Implications:Balances in the Bible are not merely tools for physical measurement but carry significant symbolic weight. They represent the divine standard of justice and the expectation of honesty and integrity in human dealings. The consistent biblical emphasis on honest scales serves as a reminder of the moral responsibility to uphold fairness and truth in all aspects of life.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, where the biblical narrative unfolds, trade was a vital part of daily life. The integrity of balances was essential for maintaining trust in economic transactions. The biblical injunctions against dishonest scales reflect a broader cultural concern for justice and equity, values that were integral to the social and religious fabric of Israelite society.
Conclusion:While the Bible's references to balances are rooted in the practicalities of ancient commerce, they transcend their immediate context to offer enduring lessons on justice, integrity, and divine judgment. Through the imagery of balances, Scripture calls believers to reflect God's righteousness in their dealings with others, ensuring that their actions align with His standards of truth and fairness.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
BalancesReference to balances is found in (Leviticus 19:36) They were in common use, gold and silver being paid out and received by weight. Reference is also made in (Micah 6:11;Hosea 12:7) to the dishonest practice of buying by heavier and selling by lighter weights.
Greek
2218. zugos -- a yoke... Word Origin from zeugnumi (to yoke) Definition a yoke NASB Word Usage pair
of scales (1), yoke (5). pair of
balances, yoke. From
...Strong's Hebrew
3976. mozen --balances, scales... 3975b, 3976. mozen. 3977 .
balances, scales. Transliteration: mozen
Phonetic Spelling: (mo-zane') Short Definition: scales. Word
...3977. mozanya -- a scale, balance
... scales (1).balances. (Aramaic) corresponding to mo'zen --balances. see HEBREW
mo'zen. 3976, 3977. mozanya. 3978 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Weighed in theBalances
... Weighed in theBalances. In the fifth chapter of Daniel we read the history of King
Belshazzar.... Tekel"Thou art weighed in thebalances, and art found wanting....
Eighth Commandment
... Do you give short weight or measure? See what God says in His Word: "Shall I count
them pure with the wickedbalances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?...
The Answer on the Way to Keep Control Over Abstinence.
... him who thus deceives himself by unfair considerations, saying: "But vain are the
children of men: the children of men are liars upon thebalances that they...
God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.
... carnage shall ensue. "And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat
on him had a pair ofbalances in his hand. And I heard...
The Climax of Ecclesiastes' Exercises Seems to have Been Reached...
... How thoroughly thebalances of the sanctuary reverse the estimation of the world.
But, then, how may we become rich in that true, real sense?...
What have I Done?
... and may not therefore tell the truth; but when God shall try you he will make no
allowances; when the everlasting Jehovah grasps thebalances of justice and...
Asa
... men who have holes enough in their armour, God knows, easy to be hit by
respectabilities sitting in their lounge-chairs, and having largebalances at their...
The Scales of Judgment
... "Tekel; Thou art weighed in thebalances, and art found wanting.""Daniel
5:27.... "Thou art weighed in thebalances and art found wanting,"....
The First vision "On Earth"
... Black Horse. Famine. The rider,balances in hand. (Matthew 24.-7-). b vi.7, 8.
The Fourth Seal. The Livid Horse. Pestilence. (Matthew 24.-7-)....
Psalm LXII.
... unto Him, by lifting up your souls: "God is our helper."...Nevertheless, vain are
the sons of men, and liars are the sons of men in thebalances, in order...
Thesaurus
Balances (15 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Balances (15 Occurrences).
... And I beheld, and lo a black
horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of
balances in his hand. (KJV WBS).
...Balance (12 Occurrences)
... 5:27). Thebalances as represented on the most ancient Egyptian monuments
resemble those now in use. A "pair ofbalances" is a symbol...
Weighed (44 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Job 6:2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity
laid in thebalances!... In thebalances they will go up....
Ephah (55 Occurrences)
... It corresponds to the bath in liquid measure and was the standard for measuring
grain and similar articles since it is classed withbalances and weights...
Weigh (24 Occurrences)
... NIV). Jeremiah 32:10 I subscribed the deed, and sealed it, and called
witnesses, and weighed him the money in thebalances. (Root...
Honest (34 Occurrences)
... justify the wicked. (See NIV). Leviticus 19:36 You shall have justbalances,
just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am Yahweh...
Weights (14 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Leviticus 19:36 You shall have justbalances, just weights, a just ephah,
and a just hin. I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt....
Vexation (36 Occurrences)
... one. (ASV DBY RSV). Job 6:2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all
my calamity laid in thebalances! (See JPS ASV RSV). Job...
Lighter (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS NIV). Psalms 62:9 Surely men of low degree are just a breath,
and men of high degree are a lie. In thebalances they will go up....
Witnessed (21 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Jeremiah 32:10 And I write in a book, and seal, and cause witnesses
to testify, and weigh the silver inbalances; (See NIV)....
Resources
How should a Christian view fascism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does selah mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Belshazzar? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
