Lexical Summary peles: Balance, scales Original Word: פֶלֶס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scales, weight From palac; a balance -- scales, weight. see HEBREW palac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a balance, scale NASB Translation balance (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶּ֫לֶס noun [masculine] balance, scale; — literal Proverbs 16:11: figurative Isaiah 40:11 (in both "" מאֹוְנַיִם). Topical Lexicon Entry Title: פֶלֶס (Peles) – The Symbol of Divine Weighing and Human IntegrityKey Occurrences • Proverbs 16:11 Scriptural Overview In its two appearances, פֶלֶס functions as a literal “balance” or “scale.” Yet each context draws distinct theological emphases. Proverbs 16:11 roots honest commerce in the character of the Lord: “Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern”. Isaiah 40:12 employs the same instrument to exalt God’s cosmic sovereignty: “Who … weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?”. Historical Background Balances in the ancient Near East consisted of a horizontal beam suspended from a central point, with pans for goods and standardized stone weights. Archaeological finds from Israelite sites (eighth–seventh centuries B.C.) reveal inscribed shekel weights, underscoring how commerce, temple offerings, and royal taxation relied on precise measurement. Because cheating could be subtle—using heavier stones when buying and lighter ones when selling—Israel’s law repeatedly condemned “differing weights” (Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16). Against this backdrop, פֶלֶס embodies both social ethics and divine prerogative. Theological Themes 1. Divine Ownership of Standards Proverbs 16:11 affirms that standards of fairness originate with God, not humans. He “owns” the peles; therefore, integrity is an act of worship, not merely social contract. 2. God’s Universal Sovereignty Isaiah’s rhetorical questions magnify God’s incomparability. The same instrument that weighs coins for a market-stall can, in His hand, weigh mountains. Creation itself is subject to the measuring authority symbolized by the peles. 3. Justice as Reflection of God’s Character Scripture elsewhere condemns dishonest scales (Proverbs 11:1; 20:23; Amos 8:5), but פֶלֶס in Proverbs 16:11 provides the positive counterpart: righteousness demonstrated through equity. Ethical commerce becomes a testimony to God’s righteousness before the watching nations. 4. From External Weights to Internal Weighing While פֶלֶס is concrete, its imagery extends to moral evaluation: “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart” (Proverbs 21:2). The precision expected in the marketplace foreshadows the exactness of divine judgment (Daniel 5:27). Applications for Christian Living • Business Integrity Believers engaged in trade, accounting, or pricing display the gospel when they refuse hidden mark-ups and deceptive practices. The peles reminds disciples that every transaction occurs coram Deo—before the face of God. • Stewardship and Generosity Because the Lord “owns the scales,” He also owns the resources measured on them. Recognizing His ultimate ownership tempers greed and fosters cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). • Trust in God’s Measurement of Circumstances Isaiah’s cosmic peles assures the weary that their trials are not random; the One who weighs mountains apportions burdens with precise wisdom (1 Peter 5:6-7). Christological Reflections Jesus Christ fulfills the ideal of true measure. At the cross He bore the full “weight” of human sin so that believers might receive the “weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). In Him the scales of divine justice and mercy balance perfectly, inviting sinners to trade the heavy yoke of guilt for His light yoke (Matthew 11:28-30). Related Passages for Further Study Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 20:10; Amos 8:4-8; Micah 6:11; Daniel 5:27; Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 4:17. Summary פֶלֶס, though mentioned only twice, unites themes of ethical commerce, divine justice, and cosmic sovereignty. It calls every generation to honor God by practicing meticulous honesty and to rest in the assurance that the One who weighs the mountains also weighs—rightly and graciously—the affairs of every human heart. Forms and Transliterations בַּפֶּ֙לֶס֙ בפלס פֶּ֤לֶס ׀ פלס bap·pe·les bappeles pe·les pelesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 16:11 HEB: פֶּ֤לֶס ׀ וּמֹאזְנֵ֣י מִ֭שְׁפָּט NAS: A just balance and scales KJV: A just weight and balance INT: balance and scales A just Isaiah 40:12 2 Occurrences |
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