In biblical times, balances, or scales, were essential tools used for weighing money, commodities, and other goods. The use of balances is frequently mentioned in the Bible, highlighting their importance in trade, justice, and daily life. The concept of weighing money with balances underscores the biblical emphasis on fairness, honesty, and integrity.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 23:16 · "Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard current among the merchants."
This passage illustrates the practice of weighing silver to ensure the correct amount was paid in transactions. Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah demonstrates the use of balances in legal and commercial agreements.

2. Leviticus 19:35-36 · "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt."
Here, God commands the Israelites to use honest measures, including balances, as a reflection of His justice and righteousness. The use of just balances is a divine mandate, emphasizing the moral obligation to conduct business with integrity.

3. Proverbs 11:1 · "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight."
This proverb contrasts dishonest scales with accurate weights, highlighting God's disdain for deceit and His pleasure in honesty. The use of balances in this context serves as a metaphor for moral and ethical conduct.

4. Ezekiel 45:10-12 · "You must use honest scales, a just ephah, and a just bath. The ephah and the bath shall be the same size, with the bath containing a tenth of a homer and the ephah a tenth of a homer; their standard shall be the homer. The shekel will consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels will equal one mina."
Ezekiel's instructions for honest scales and measures reflect the importance of standardization and fairness in economic transactions. The prophet's message underscores the need for integrity in the community's dealings.

5. Amos 8:5 · "You say, 'When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may open the grain market? We can reduce the ephah, increase the shekel, and cheat with dishonest scales.'"
The prophet Amos condemns those who exploit religious observances to engage in dishonest trade practices. The manipulation of balances and measures is portrayed as a grave injustice, reflecting a broader societal corruption.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Balances in ancient times typically consisted of a beam with pans suspended from each end. Weights were placed in one pan, and the item to be weighed was placed in the other. The accuracy of balances was crucial for fair trade, and standardized weights were often used to ensure consistency.

The biblical emphasis on honest balances reflects a broader concern for justice and righteousness in society. The use of balances as a metaphor for moral conduct is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating the connection between economic practices and spiritual values.

In summary, balances were not merely tools for commerce but also symbols of ethical behavior and divine justice. The biblical mandate for honest scales serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of integrity in all aspects of life.Isaiah 46:6
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he makes it a god: they fall down, yes, they worship.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 32:10
And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
Nave's Topical Index

Eighth Commandment
... See if you will prove light when weighed against the ... and the shekel great, and
falsifying the balances by deceit? ... A man who takes money that does not belong to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/eighth commandment.htm

Third Commandment
... you do if you were put into the balances of the ... I pawned it and spent the money,
but I did not ... put this commandment into the scales, and step in to be weighed? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/third commandment.htm

Cyrus.
... Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting. ... and that he would build up the
Holy City and Temple, and let the captives go free without money or price ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xii cyrus.htm

John Wycliffe.
... be spended; for he taketh ever money out of our ... before the divine tribunal, and weighed
their sophistries and deceptions in the balances of eternal ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /5 john wycliffe.htm

John Wycliffe
... be spended; for he taketh ever money out of our ... before the divine tribunal, and weighed
their sophistries and deceptions in the balances of eternal ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 5 john wycliffe.htm

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... uncle's son and weighed to him seventeen silver shekels.10. And I subscribed the
deed and sealed it and took witnesses, weighing the money in the balances.11. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

Last Things
... That is the man to make money"Balaam. ... day shall I see the handwriting on the wall,
"Mene, Tekel, Upharsin"""Thou art weighed in the balances, and found ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/last things.htm

Unsound Spiritual Trading
... poor fellow, he never could keep accounts or manage money matters, yet he ... and from
it there shall be no appeal: "Thou art weighed in the balances and found ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/unsound spiritual trading.htm

God, the All-Seeing One
... If it is some little piece of money we desire to ... into the fire, and then thrusts
it into the balances. ... by saying, "Mene, mene, tekel" thou art weighed in the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/god the all-seeing one.htm

God, the All-Seeing One
... If it is some little piece of money we desire to ... into the fire, and then thrusts
it into the balances. ... by saying, "Mene, mene, tekel"thou art weighed in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/god the all-seeing one.htm

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