Leviticus 19:35

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"'Don't be dishonest when measuring length, weight or capacity.

Berean Standard Bible:

You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume.

American Standard Version:

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Ye shall do{H6213} no unrighteousness{H5766} in judgment{H4941}, in meteyard{H4060}, in weight{H4948}, or in measure{H4884}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Deuteronomy 25:15

  • [But] thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 25:13

  • ¶ Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.

Matthew 7:2

  • For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Leviticus 19:15

  • Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: [but] in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Proverbs 20:10

  • ¶ Divers weights, [and] divers measures, both of them [are] alike abomination to the LORD.

Proverbs 16:11

  • ¶ A just weight and balance [are] the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag [are] his work.

Proverbs 11:1

  • ¶ A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD: but a just weight [is] his delight.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Leviticus 19:35

1. **Themes:**
- **Honesty and Integrity:** The verse emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in all transactions, both in business and in the administration of justice. It calls for fairness and truthfulness, regardless of the context or the parties involved.
- **Ethical Business Practices:** It specifically addresses the use of accurate measurements and weights in trade, highlighting the prohibition of fraudulent practices that could deceive or cheat others.
- **Divine Justice:** The command underscores that God's standards of justice are to be upheld in all human interactions, suggesting that integrity in judgment is a reflection of one's relationship with God.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Covenant with Israel:** Leviticus is part of the Torah, the foundational legal and religious texts of ancient Israel. This verse falls within the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), which outlines various laws given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, intended to set them apart as a holy nation.
- **Early Legal System:** At the time, Israel was transitioning from a tribal society to a nation-state with a centralized legal system. The directive against unrighteousness in judgment would have been crucial in establishing trust in the fairness of the legal process and in commercial transactions.
- **Cultural Relevance:** False weights and measures were common tools of deception in the ancient Near East. This command served to counteract such practices among the Israelites, reinforcing the importance of honesty in daily life.

In summary, Leviticus 19:35 addresses themes of honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior in both legal and commercial interactions, reflecting God's expectation of justice and fairness within the historical context of early Israelite society.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
  2. Strong's Number: H5766
    There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֶוֶל
    Transliteration: ʻevel
    Pronunciation: eh'-vel
    Description: or עָוֶל; and (feminine) עַוְלָה; or עוֹלָה; or עֹלָה; from עֲוַל; (moral) evil; iniquity, perverseness, unjust(-ly), unrighteousness(-ly); wicked(-ness).
  3. Strong's Number: H4941
    There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
    Transliteration: mishpâṭ
    Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
    Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.
  4. Strong's Number: H4060
    There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִדָּה
    Transliteration: middâh
    Pronunciation: mid-daw'
    Description: feminine of מַד; properly, extension, i.e. height or breadth; also a measure (including its standard); hence a portion (as measured) or a vestment; specifically, tribute (as measured); garment, measure(-ing, meteyard, piece, size, (great) stature, tribute, wide.
  5. Strong's Number: H4948
    There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִשְׁקָל
    Transliteration: mishqâl
    Pronunciation: mish-kawl'
    Description: from שָׁקַל; weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act); (full) weight.
  6. Strong's Number: H4884
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מְשׂוּרָה
    Transliteration: mᵉsûwrâh
    Pronunciation: mes-oo-raw'
    Description: from an unused root meaning apparently to divide; a measure (for liquids); measure.