Proverbs Chapter 11

“A false balance [is] abomination to the Lord, etc.] Under which are included all false weights and measures, and all fraudulent practices in commerce and dealing; which are forbidden by the Lord, and are abominable to him, as being injurious to the estates and properties of men: and more especially must be abominable in professors of religion, as being contrary to the grace of God; for though there may be common honesty where there is not the grace of God, yet there cannot be the true grace of God where there is not honesty; for the grace of God teaches to deny all such worldly lusts; but a just weight [is] his…”

“(Pro. 11:1-31) (Compare Margin). The Hebrews used stones for weights. just--complete in measure.”

“This emphatic reproduction of the old rule of Deuteronomy 25:13-14 is perhaps a trace of the danger of dishonesty incidental to the growing commerce of the Israelites. The stress laid upon the same sin in Proverbs 16:11; Proverbs 20:10; bears witness to the desire of the teacher to educate the youth of Israel to a high standard of integrity, just as the protest of Hosea against it Hosea 12:7 shows the zeal of the prophet in rebuking what was becoming more and more a besetting sin. A just weight - literally, as in the margin, indicating a time when stones rather than metal were used as a standard of weight.…”

“A false balance - The use of all false weights and measures in commerce. Proverbs 11:8”

“11:1 Here, honest practices are applied to the business world (see also 16:11; 20:10, 23; Lev 19:35-37; Deut 25:13-15; Ezek 45:10; Hos 12:7-8; Mic 6:11). • Scales were often made of two metal bowls suspended from a crossbar. The unit of currency, the shekel, comes from the verb meaning “to weigh” (see Amos 8:5-6).”

“A false balance is: Heb. Balances of deceit, are, Pro 16:11, Pro 20:10, Pro 20:23; Lev 19:35, Lev 19:36; Deu 25:13-16; Hos 12:7; Amo 8:5, Amo 8:6; Mic 6:10, Mic 6:11 a just weight: Heb. a perfect stone, Pro 16:11; Eze 45:10-12 Proverbs 11:2”

“The next three proverbs treat of honesty, discretion, and innocence or dove-like simplicity: 1 Deceitful balances are an abomination to Jahve; But a full weight is His delight. The very same proverb, with slightly varied expression, is found in Pro 20:23; and other such like proverbs, in condemnation of false and in approbation of true balances, are found, Pro 20:10; Pro 16:11; similar predicates, but connected with other subjects, are found at Pro 12:22; Pro 15:8. "An abomination to Jahve" is an expression we have already twice met with in the introduction, Pro 3:32; Pro 6:16, cf. Pro 8:7; תּועבה is, like תּועה,…”