Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the concept of weighing was integral to daily life, commerce, and spiritual symbolism. The act of weighing involved the use of scales and balances to measure the weight of goods, precious metals, and other items. This practice is frequently mentioned in the Bible, both in literal and metaphorical contexts.Literal Use of Weighing Weighing was essential in trade and commerce, ensuring fair transactions. The Bible emphasizes the importance of honest weights and measures as a reflection of integrity and righteousness. In Leviticus 19:35-36 , God commands, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall 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 directive underscores the moral obligation to conduct business with fairness and honesty. Proverbs 11:1 further reinforces this principle: "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." The use of accurate weights is not merely a matter of economic fairness but is also seen as pleasing to God, reflecting His nature of justice and truth. Metaphorical Use of Weighing Beyond its literal application, weighing is often used metaphorically in Scripture to convey spiritual truths. The concept of God weighing the hearts and actions of individuals is a recurring theme. In 1 Samuel 2:3 , Hannah declares, "Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed." This passage highlights God's omniscience and His ability to judge the true intentions and character of individuals. Similarly, 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 serves as a reminder that while humans may justify their actions, God discerns the underlying motives and evaluates them according to His perfect standard. Weighing in Prophetic and Apocalyptic Literature In prophetic literature, the imagery of weighing is often used to convey divine judgment. The book of Daniel provides a notable example in the account of Belshazzar's feast. During the feast, a mysterious hand writes on the wall, and Daniel interprets the message, saying, "You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient" (Daniel 5:27). This pronouncement signifies God's judgment on Belshazzar's reign, leading to the fall of Babylon. In the apocalyptic vision of Revelation, the concept of weighing is implicit in the imagery of the third horseman of the apocalypse, who holds a pair of scales in his hand (Revelation 6:5). This symbolizes economic scarcity and the careful rationing of resources, reflecting a time of divine judgment and testing. Conclusion The biblical concept of weighing, both in its literal and metaphorical senses, serves as a powerful symbol of justice, integrity, and divine judgment. It calls believers to live with honesty and righteousness, knowing that God, the ultimate judge, weighs the hearts and actions of all. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A corruption of Way, used only in the phrase under weigh.2. (v. t.) To bear up; to raise; to lift into the air; to swing up; as, to weigh anchor. 3. (v. t.) To examine by the balance; to ascertain the weight of, that is, the force with which a thing tends to the center of the earth; to determine the heaviness, or quantity of matter of; as, to weigh sugar; to weigh gold. 4. (v. t.) To be equivalent to in weight; to counterbalance; to have the heaviness of. 5. (v. t.) To pay, allot, take, or give by weight. 6. (v. t.) To examine or test as if by the balance; to ponder in the mind; to consider or examine for the purpose of forming an opinion or coming to a conclusion; to estimate deliberately and maturely; to balance. 7. (v. t.) To consider as worthy of notice; to regard. 8. (v. i.) To have weight; to be heavy. 9. (v. i.) To be considered as important; to have weight in the intellectual balance. 10. (v. i.) To bear heavily; to press hard. 11. (v. i.) To judge; to estimate. 12. (n.) A certain quantity estimated by weight; an English measure of weight. See Wey. Greek 916. bareo -- to weigh down ... to weigh down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: bareo Phonetic Spelling: (bar-eh'-o) Short Definition: I weight, load, burden Definition: I weight, load ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/916.htm - 7k 2599a. katabareo -- to weigh down 2599b. katabaruno -- to weigh down 2599. katabareo -- to weigh down 514. axios -- of weight, of worth, worthy 2476. histemi -- to make to stand, to stand 1912. epibareo -- to put a burden on 5412. phortizo -- to load 142. airo -- to raise, take up, lift Strong's Hebrew 6424. palas -- to weigh, make level... 6423, 6424. palas. 6425 . to weigh, make level. Transliteration: palas Phonetic Spelling: (paw-las') Short Definition: level. ... make, ponder, weigh. ... /hebrew/6424.htm - 6k 8254. shaqal -- to weigh 5537. sala -- to weigh 239. azan -- to weigh, test, prove 8625a. teqal -- to weigh 5541b. salah -- to weigh, balance 8625. tqal -- to weigh 3513. kabad -- to be heavy, weighty, or burdensome 8505. takan -- to regulate, measure, estimate 5187. natil -- laden Library Who Shall Weigh the Recompense of Abraham? whom I Marvelled at ... Weigh in the Balance. Bowed with a Burden None Can Weigh Save Thee, That a Man Should Weigh Each Thought and Each Stirring after that ... The Answer on the Way to Keep Control Over Abstinence. Epistle xxv. To John, Bishop of Constantinople, and the Other ... "But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C. A Short Method to Know God's Will. I am Told, to Take Another Point, that one of his Followers ... Our Friends Take it Amiss that I have Spoken of the Origenists as ... Thesaurus Weigh (24 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) A corruption of Way, used only in the phrase under weigh. 2. (vt) To bear up; to raise; to lift into the air; to swing up; as, to weigh anchor. ... /w/weigh.htm - 14k Ponder (10 Occurrences) Balance (12 Occurrences) Equal (70 Occurrences) Deliberate (2 Occurrences) Balances (15 Occurrences) Weighed (44 Occurrences) Weeps (7 Occurrences) Quantity (18 Occurrences) Upharsin (1 Occurrence) Resources What is the Remnant Fellowship? | GotQuestions.orgDo women have to remain silent in church? | GotQuestions.org What does selah mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Weigh: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Weigh (24 Occurrences)Luke 11:46 1 Corinthians 7:21 1 Corinthians 14:29 Exodus 22:17 2 Samuel 14:26 1 Kings 20:39 1 Chronicles 20:2 Ezra 8:25 Ezra 8:26 Ezra 8:29 Esther 4:7 Job 31:6 Job 33:7 Psalms 38:4 Psalms 58:2 Isaiah 26:7 Isaiah 46:6 Isaiah 55:2 Jeremiah 32:9 Jeremiah 32:10 Ezekiel 5:1 Ezekiel 33:10 Zephaniah 1:11 Zechariah 11:12 Subtopics Related Terms |
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