Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of being "weighed" often carries significant spiritual and moral implications. The act of weighing is frequently used metaphorically to describe the evaluation of one's character, actions, or spiritual state by God. This theme is evident in various passages throughout the Scriptures, where the imagery of scales and balance is employed to convey divine judgment and righteousness.
Old Testament ReferencesOne of the most notable instances of weighing in the Bible is found in the Book of Daniel. In
Daniel 5:27, during the account of Belshazzar's feast, the mysterious writing on the wall is interpreted by Daniel: "TEKEL: You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient." . This pronouncement signifies God's judgment upon Belshazzar, indicating that his reign and life have been evaluated and found lacking in righteousness and obedience to God.
The concept of weighing is also present in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.
Proverbs 16:2 states, "All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed by the LORD." . This verse highlights the divine ability to discern the true intentions and motivations of the human heart, beyond outward appearances.
In
Job 31:6, Job appeals to God for justice, saying, "let God weigh me with honest scales, and He will know my integrity." . Here, Job expresses his confidence in his own righteousness and seeks divine vindication, trusting that God's judgment is fair and accurate.
New Testament ReferencesWhile the New Testament does not frequently use the specific term "weighed," the underlying principle of divine evaluation is present. In the teachings of Jesus, the idea of being assessed by God is implicit in His parables and teachings. For example, in the Parable of the Talents (
Matthew 25:14-30), the servants are evaluated based on their stewardship of the master's resources, reflecting the broader theme of accountability before God.
The Apostle Paul also touches on this theme in his epistles. In
1 Corinthians 4:4-5, Paul writes, "My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart." . This passage underscores the belief that ultimate judgment and evaluation belong to God, who alone can weigh the true nature of human actions and intentions.
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical theme of being weighed by God emphasizes the importance of living a life that aligns with divine standards of righteousness and justice. It serves as a reminder of the omniscience and omnipotence of God, who sees beyond human facades and evaluates the heart. This concept encourages believers to pursue integrity, humility, and obedience, knowing that their lives are subject to God's perfect judgment.
In summary, the biblical motif of weighing underscores the seriousness of divine evaluation and the call for individuals to live in accordance with God's will, as their lives and actions are ultimately subject to His righteous scrutiny.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Weigh.
Greek
5007. talanton -- a balance, hence that which isweighed, ie a...... 5006, 5007. talanton. 5008 . a balance, hence that which is
weighed,
ie a talent (about 3000 shekels in weight). Part of Speech
...2476. histemi -- to make to stand, to stand
... firm (4), standing (53), standing firm (1), stands (6), stood (27), stood still
(1), stood upright (1), stop (1), stopped (5), taking his stand (1),weighed (1...
514. axios -- of weight, of worth, worthy
... something "weighs in" on . 514 ("weighed-in") "properly means, '' hence ',' ',
befitting, , " (J. Thayer). [514 () is the root...
4987. soreuo -- to heap on
... up, load. Word Origin from soros (a heap) Definition to heap on NASB Word
Usage heap (1),weighed down (1). heap, load. From another...
142. airo -- to raise, take up, lift
... away (5), take...away (4), taken (3), taken...away (1), taken away (12), takes away
(7), taking (1), took (2), took...away (1), took away (3),weighed anchor (1...
4289. prothumos -- willing, ready
... before" and 2372 , "passion") -- properly, pre-disposed (positively inclined);
enthusiastically willing; eager, "ready-to-go"; free, notweighed down by pre...
Strong's Hebrew
8254. shaqal -- to weigh... 8253, 8254. shaqal. 8255 . to weigh. Transliteration: shaqal Phonetic Spelling:
(shaw-kal') Short Definition:
weighed. Word Origin a prim.
...8625a. teqal -- to weigh
... to weigh. Transliteration: teqal Short Definition:weighed. Word Origin (Aramaic)
corresponding to shaqal Definition to weigh NASB Word Usageweighed (1)....
8625. tqal -- to weigh
... Tekel, beweighed (Aramaic) corresponding to shaqal; to balance -- Tekel, beweighed.
see HEBREW shaqal. 8624, 8625. tqal. 8625a . Strong's Numbers.
5537. sala -- to weigh
... sala. 5538 . to weigh. Transliteration: sala Phonetic Spelling: (saw-law') Short
Definition:weighed.... root Definition to weigh NASB Word Usageweighed (1)....
5543. Calluw -- an Israelite priest
... Or Calluw; {sal-loo'}; or Caluw {sal-loo'}; or Callay {sal-lah'-ee}; from calah;
weighed; Sallu or Sallai, the name of two Israelites -- Sallai, Sallu, Salu....
4489. moneh -- a counted number, time
... time. From manah; properly, somethingweighed out, ie (figuratively) a portion of
time, ie An instance -- time. see HEBREW manah. 4488, 4489. moneh. 4490 ....
4490. manah -- part, portion
... From manah; properly, somethingweighed out, ie (generally) a division; specifically
(of food) a ration; also a lot -- such things as belonged, part, portion....
4948. mishqal -- weight
... Word Origin from shaqal Definition weight NASB Word Usage full (1), rationed amounts
(1), weigh (1),weighed (4), weighing (3), weight (39). full weight....
3515. kabed -- heavy
... 11), huge (1), large (4), large number (1), much (1), numerous (1), rich (1), severe
(7), slow (2), sorrowful (1), stubborn (1), thick (1),weighed down (1)....
8505. takan -- to regulate, measure, estimate
... root Definition to regulate, measure, estimate NASB Word Usage directed (1), firmly
set (1), marked off (1), meted (1), right (9),weighed (2), weighs (3)....
Library
Weighed and Wanting
Weighed and Wanting. <.Weighed and Wanting Dwight L. Moody. Produced by Keith
G Richardson Table of Contents. Title Page. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS....
Weighed, and Found Wanting
... THE BOOK OF NUMBERSWEIGHED, AND FOUND WANTING. 'And all the congregation
lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that...
Certain Articles to be Diligently Examined andWeighed. Because...
... FIFTH PART CERTAIN ARTICLES TO BE DILIGENTLY EXAMINED ANDWEIGHED. BECAUSE
SOME CONTROVERSY HAS ARISEN CONCERNING THEM AMONG EVEN...
Weighed in the Balances
Weighed and Wanting. <....Weighed in the Balances. In the fifth chapter
of Daniel we read the history of King Belshazzar....
Weighed and Wanting
Weighed and Wanting. <.... Title Page.Weighed and Wanting Addresses
on the Ten Commandments. BY. DL MOODY. "Tekel: Thou art...
Of the Ways in which Our Soul isWeighed Down.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter V. Of the ways in which our
soul isweighed down. But we should notice the ways in...
Cicero and Others of the Wisest Men Teach the Immortality of the...
... Cicero and Others of the Wisest Men Teach the Immortality of the Soul, But in an
Unbelieving Manner; And that a Good or an Evil Death Must BeWeighed from the...
Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot For, and Judas Bargains for his...
... a And theyweighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. [There had been coined shekels
since the time of Simeon, or 143 bc, before that the money wasweighed....
The Ten Commandments.
Weighed and Wanting. <....
The Handwriting Blotted Out
Weighed and Wanting. <.... You must accept Christ as your Savior, or you
will never be fit to beweighed. My friend, have you got Him?...
Thesaurus
Weighed (44 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Weigh. Multi-Version Concordance
Weighed (44 Occurrences). Matthew 26:15 and said, "What
...Weigh (24 Occurrences)
... 14:26 When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year's end that he cut
it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it); heweighed the hair...
Balance (12 Occurrences)
... a just balance" (Proverbs 16:11); "a pair of balances" (Revelation 6:5, etc.), as
well as in the plur., eg "just balances" (Leviticus 19:36), "weighed in the...
Balances (15 Occurrences)
... Job 6:2 "Oh that my anguish wereweighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!...
Daniel 5:27 TEKEL; you areweighed in the balances, and are found wanting....
Altogether (56 Occurrences)
... geth'-er: Representing five Hebrew and three Greek originals, which variously signify
(1) "together"; ie all, eg `all men, high and low,weighed together in...
Grief (252 Occurrences)
... fool's wrath," the Revised Version (British and American) "vexation"; so also Proverbs
27:3); Job 6:2, "Oh that my grief were thoroughlyweighed," the Revised...
Grieve (29 Occurrences)
... fool's wrath," the Revised Version (British and American) "vexation"; so also Proverbs
27:3); Job 6:2, "Oh that my grief were thoroughlyweighed," the Revised...
Window (24 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Window (24 Occurrences). Acts 20:9 A certain young man
named Eutychus sat in the window,weighed down with deep sleep....
Tekel (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryWeighed (Dan.... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV).
Daniel 5:27 TEKEL; you areweighed in the balances, and are found wanting....
Eu'tychus (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eu'tychus (1 Occurrence). Acts 20:9 A certain young man
named Eutychus sat in the window,weighed down with deep sleep....
Resources
Was Goliath one of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “mene mene tekel upharsin”? What is the meaning of the handwriting on the wall? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the transmigration of souls? | GotQuestions.orgWeighed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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