Lexical Summary mozen: Balance, scales Original Word: מֹאזֵן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance a pair of scales From 'azan; (only in the dual) a pair of scales: see HEBREW 'azan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom azan Definition balances, scales NASB Translation balance (1), balances (5), scale (1), scales (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מאזן] noun [masculine] dual balances, scales (Arabic  , Aramaic (Nasar.)  ) — מאֹזְנַיִם (נָֿ֑יִם) Isaiah 40:15 4t.; construct מאֹזְנֵי Leviticus 19:36 9t. — balances, for weighing money Jeremiah 32:10 ׳וָאֶשְׁקֹל הַכֶּסֶף בְּמ; hair Ezekiel 5:1 (מִשְׁקָל ׳מ); ׳שַׁחַק מ) Isaiah 40:15 dust of bal., simile of insignificance of nations before ׳י; figurative, calamity Job 6:2; men Psalm 62:10; hills Isaiah 40:12 (שָׁקַל בַּמֶּלֶס ׳הָרִים וּגְבָעוֺת בְּמ); צֶדֶק ׳א Leviticus 19:36 ("" ׳אַבְנֵיצֿ, ׳אֵיפַת צ, ׳הִין צ), Ezekiel 45:10 ("" ׳אֵיפַתצֿ, ׳בַּתצֿ) compare Proverbs 16:11 (מִשְׁמָּט ׳מֶּלֶס וּמ); figurative Job 31:6 ׳יִשְׁקְלֵנִי בְּמ צֶדֶק; opposed to מִרְמָה ׳מ Proverbs 11:1 ("" אֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה); Proverbs 20:23 ("" אֶבֶן וָאָ֑בֶן) Amos 8:5 ("" לְהַקְטִין אֵיפָה וּלְהַגְדִּיל שֶׁקֶל) Hosea 12:8; רֶשַׁע ׳מ Micah 6:11 ("" אַבְנֵי מִרְמָה). Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage Mōʾzên, translated “scales” or “balances,” appears fifteen times across Law, Wisdom, Prophets, and Poetry. It always denotes a weighing instrument, yet each context expands the metaphor beyond commerce. The Mosaic Law requires “honest scales, honest weights” (Leviticus 19:36), establishing a benchmark for covenant ethics. Wisdom literature applies the same imagery to personal integrity: “Let God weigh me in honest scales, and He will know my integrity” (Job 31:6), while exposing social corruption: “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 11:1). Prophets press the indictment further—Hosea, Amos, and Micah decry merchants who “cheat with dishonest scales” (Amos 8:5) and warn of divine judgment. Isaiah broadens the image cosmically: God “weighed the mountains in a balance” (Isaiah 40:12), proving that even creation rests on His precise standard. Themes of Justice and Righteousness 1. Moral Equity: Accurate scales symbolize the unchanging righteousness of God. Human dealings must mirror His character; otherwise, they face the same measure of judgment they corrupt. Historical and Cultural Background Archaeology has uncovered stone weights stamped with Hebrew letters, attesting to a standardized system developed during the monarchy. Scales hung from cords with pans on either side, and merchants carried “weights in the bag” (Proverbs 16:11). Varied sets—one light for selling, one heavy for buying—enabled fraud. Biblical law countered this tendency by rooting honest measurement in the character of Yahweh who delivered Israel from Egypt; liberation demanded a just marketplace. Theological Significance God’s sovereignty over the cosmos (Isaiah 40:12-15) frames every human transaction. Just scales are not mere economic tools but sacramental tokens declaring that all of life is lived coram Deo. Whenever Israel used false measures, they distorted the divine image they were called to display. Conversely, faithfulness in so small a matter prefigures the ultimate balance of judgment where Christ alone tips the scale toward mercy for those who trust Him. Practical Ministry Application • Personal Integrity: Believers examine motives and methods, ensuring transparency in finance, business, and relationships. Summary Mōʾzên stands as a tangible reminder that God weighs both deeds and destinies. Whether measuring silver in Jeremiah 32:10 or nations in Isaiah 40:15, the same unerring standard applies. Honest scales delight the Lord; deceitful ones provoke His wrath. Therefore, every follower of Christ is summoned to live, labor, and worship on the level, confident that the Judge of all the earth will do right. Forms and Transliterations בְּֽמֹאזְנַ֥יִם בְּמֹ֣אזְנֵי בְּמֹאזְנַ֥יִם בְּמֹאזְנָֽיִם׃ בְמֹאזְנֵי־ במאזני במאזני־ במאזנים במאזנים׃ וּמֹאזְנֵ֖י וּמֹאזְנֵ֣י ומאזני מֹ֧אזְנֵי מֹֽאזְנֵי־ מֹאזְנֵ֣י מֹאזְנֵ֥י מֹאזְנַ֖יִם מאזני מאזני־ מאזנים bə·mō·zə·na·yim bə·mō·zə·nā·yim bə·mō·zə·nê ḇə·mō·zə·nê- bemozeNayim bəmōzənayim bəmōzənāyim bəmōzənê ḇəmōzənê- beMozenei mō·zə·na·yim mō·zə·nê mō·zə·nê- mōzənayim mōzənê mōzənê- mozenei mozNayim Moznei ū·mō·zə·nê ūmōzənê umozNei vemozeneiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 19:36 HEB: מֹ֧אזְנֵי צֶ֣דֶק אַבְנֵי־ NAS: just balances, just KJV: Just balances, just weights, INT: balances just weights Job 6:2 Job 31:6 Psalm 62:9 Proverbs 11:1 Proverbs 16:11 Proverbs 20:23 Isaiah 40:12 Isaiah 40:15 Jeremiah 32:10 Ezekiel 5:1 Ezekiel 45:10 Hosea 12:7 Amos 8:5 Micah 6:11 15 Occurrences |
    |