Deuteronomy 25:14

KJV

Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not have in thine house {H1004} divers measures {H374}{H374}, a great {H1419} and a small {H6996}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are not to have in your house two sets of measures, one big, the other small.

Berean Standard Bible

You shall not have two differing measures in your house, one large and one small.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt not have in thy house diverse measures, a great and a small.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 25:14 issues a stringent divine prohibition against the possession and use of dishonest measuring instruments within one's household, specifically "divers measures"—meaning a set of two different, inconsistent standards, one larger and one smaller. This command is a foundational expression of God's unwavering demand for absolute integrity, fairness, and justice in all commercial and personal dealings within the covenant community of Israel, reflecting His own righteous character and serving to protect the vulnerable from exploitation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 25:14 is embedded within a comprehensive section of Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 22-25) that delineates a wide array of statutes governing the civil, social, and ethical conduct of the Israelite people. These laws are presented not as arbitrary rules, but as practical outworkings of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, demonstrating how a nation consecrated to God should live righteously. This specific verse forms part of a tightly knit legal cluster focused on economic integrity, immediately following the prohibition against "divers weights" in [Deuteronomy 25:13](/deuteronomy/25-13 "Deuteronomy 25:13 - Prohibition of Divers Weights") and preceding the positive command to maintain "a perfect and just weight" in [Deuteronomy 25:15](/deuteronomy/25-15 "Deuteronomy 25:15 - Command for Just Weights"). The emphatic condemnation of dishonesty as an "abomination" in [Deuteronomy 25:16](/deuteronomy/25-16 "Deuteronomy 25:16 - Abomination of Dishonesty") further underscores the gravity of this economic offense within the Deuteronomic legal framework.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the agrarian and trade-based society of ancient Israel, economic transactions were heavily reliant on physical weights and measures for commodities such as grain, oil, wine, and other goods. Unlike modern economies with standardized, government-regulated systems, merchants often maintained their own sets of measuring devices. This decentralized system created significant opportunities for fraud. Unscrupulous individuals might keep two sets of measures: a "great" (larger) measure for purchasing goods (thereby receiving more than they paid for) and a "small" (smaller) measure for selling goods (thereby dispensing less than promised). Such deceptive practices disproportionately harmed the poor and vulnerable, who often lacked the means to verify measurements, leading to their economic disadvantage and social instability. The law, therefore, functioned as a vital safeguard for economic justice and social equity in a society where fair trade was essential for communal well-being.

* **Key Themes:** The prohibition against "divers measures" contributes significantly to several foundational themes woven throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Justice and Righteousness**, asserting that God's character is inherently just and that He demands His people reflect this attribute in their daily interactions, extending even to commercial dealings. This law is not merely about commerce but about establishing a society where justice is an intrinsic part of its fabric, echoing the prophetic call for justice to "roll down like waters" ([Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Holiness and Integrity in Daily Life**. For Israel to be a holy nation, set apart for God, their conduct in even the most mundane activities, like buying and selling, had to be free from deceit. This expands the concept of holiness beyond ritual purity to encompass ethical behavior in all spheres. Finally, the strong condemnation in [Deuteronomy 25:16](/deuteronomy/25-16 "Deuteronomy 25:16 - Abomination of Dishonesty") underscores **God's Abhorrence of Deceit and Exploitation**, viewing such practices as an "abomination" that not only undermines the covenant community's trust but also dishonors His holy name.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004 (bayith), meaning a house in its greatest variation of applications, including family, household, or dwelling. In this context, "in thine house" emphasizes the personal responsibility of the individual Israelite, indicating that the mere possession of dishonest measures, even if not actively used in the marketplace, is forbidden. It speaks to the internal integrity of the household as the basic unit of society.
* **measures (Hebrew, _ʼêyphâh'_):** From H374 (ʼêyphâh), specifically denoting an ephah, a dry measure roughly equivalent to half a bushel. However, in the context of this law and its parallel concerning "weights" in [Deuteronomy 25:13](/deuteronomy/25-13 "Deuteronomy 25:13 - Prohibition of Divers Weights"), "measures" here functions as a synecdoche, representing all forms of volumetric measures (dry or liquid) and, by extension, any instrument used for commercial exchange. The emphasis is on the integrity of the measuring instrument itself, regardless of its specific type.
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** From H1419 (gâdôwl), meaning great in any sense, including size or quantity. In this verse, "a great" measure refers to a volumetric measure that is larger than the true or just standard. Such a measure would be used by a dishonest merchant when *buying* goods, allowing them to receive more product than they were paying for, thereby defrauding the seller.
* **small (Hebrew, _qâṭân'_):** From H6996 (qâṭân), meaning diminutive, literally (in quantity, size, or number). Here, "a small" measure refers to a volumetric measure that is smaller than the true or just standard. This measure would be used by a dishonest merchant when *selling* goods, allowing them to dispense less product than promised, thereby defrauding the buyer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not have in thine house":** This opening imperative sets a strict boundary. It is not merely a prohibition against using dishonest measures in public commerce, but against even possessing them within one's private dwelling. This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the command, demanding internal integrity and a rejection of fraudulent intent at its very source. The household is presented as the foundational unit where righteousness must begin.
* **"divers measures":** This is the core of the prohibition, referring to the practice of maintaining two different, inconsistent standards for measuring goods. The term "divers" implies a deliberate, fraudulent scheme where one measure is used to gain an unfair advantage when buying (a larger one), and another when selling (a smaller one). This highlights the deceptive intent behind such a practice.
* **"a great and a small":** This phrase further clarifies the nature of the "divers measures" by specifying the two deceptive standards. It explicitly names the two tools of fraud: one that is "great" (larger than the true standard, used when buying to receive more) and one that is "small" (smaller than the true standard, used when selling to give less). This detail leaves no ambiguity regarding the fraudulent intent and the exploitative nature of such practices.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 25:14 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful ethical injunction. The most prominent is **Legal Prohibition**, expressed through the direct negative command, "Thou shalt not have." This imperative mood, characteristic of Mosaic Law, underscores the absolute and non-negotiable nature of the divine injunction, leaving no room for compromise. The phrase "a great and a small" functions as a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting extremes (great and small) are used to encompass the entire spectrum of dishonest measures, implying any deviation from a single, just standard. This literary technique emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prohibition, covering all forms of volumetric deceit. The verse also employs **Didacticism**, serving as a clear moral instruction aimed at shaping the character of the Israelite community, emphasizing the importance of **Ethical Consistency** and integrity in all transactions, both public and private.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 25:14 serves as a profound theological statement, revealing God's character as fundamentally just, righteous, and concerned with the practical outworking of covenant faithfulness in daily life. It teaches that true worship and devotion extend beyond ritual and sacrifice into the most mundane aspects of human interaction, particularly economic dealings. God's meticulous concern for honest weights and measures demonstrates His deep care for social justice, ensuring that the weak, the poor, and the vulnerable are not exploited by the powerful or deceitful. Dishonesty in commerce is not merely a breach of human ethics; it is an offense against God Himself, for it undermines the trust, equity, and love for neighbor that should characterize a community living under His benevolent rule. This command reflects the truth that God is a God of order, truth, and equity, and He expects His people to embody these attributes, thereby reflecting His glory and character to the surrounding nations.

* [Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - A False Balance is an Abomination to the Lord")
* [Leviticus 19:35-36](/leviticus/19-35-36 "Leviticus 19:35-36 - Just Measures and Weights Commanded")
* [Micah 6:10-11](/micah/6-10-11 "Micah 6:10-11 - Woe to Unjust Measures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific context of physical weights and measures may seem distant in our modern digital and service-based economies, the ethical principle embedded in Deuteronomy 25:14 remains profoundly relevant and universally applicable. This verse calls believers to a radical commitment to integrity and transparency in all areas of life, extending far beyond literal commerce. It challenges us to honestly examine whether we operate with "divers measures" in our personal, professional, and spiritual lives—perhaps one standard for our own convenience or benefit and another, less rigorous one, for others. This might manifest as intellectual dishonesty in our studies, selective truth-telling in conversations, unfair labor practices, misleading advertising, or even maintaining inconsistent moral standards depending on our social circle or audience. The divine call is to cultivate a consistent, unwavering commitment to truth, fairness, and equity in every interaction, reflecting the unchanging character of God. Our witness to the world is deeply compromised if our words and actions do not align with a single, just standard, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life, beyond financial transactions, might I be tempted to operate with "divers measures" or inconsistent standards of truth and fairness?**
* **How does my commitment to integrity in daily dealings reflect my understanding of God's character and His call to justice and righteousness?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to ensure my interactions, both personal and professional, are marked by absolute honesty and a single, unwavering standard of truth?**
* **How can the church community encourage and uphold a culture of integrity that actively resists the subtle and overt pressures to compromise truth and exploit others?**

### FAQ

**Why is God so concerned with something seemingly mundane like weights and measures?**

Answer: God's concern for weights and measures, as vividly illustrated in [Deuteronomy 25:14](/deuteronomy/25-14 "Deuteronomy 25:14 - Prohibition of Divers Measures"), reveals His comprehensive interest in all aspects of human life, not merely the spiritual or ritualistic. This seemingly mundane detail is deeply significant because it touches upon fundamental principles of justice, fairness, and love for one's neighbor. Dishonest practices in commerce directly harm the vulnerable, exploit trust, and undermine the social fabric of a community. For God, who is perfectly just and righteous ([Psalm 89:14](/psalm/89-14 "Psalm 89:14 - Righteousness and Justice are the Foundation of Your Throne")), any act of deceit or exploitation is an affront to His character and a violation of the covenant He established with His people. Therefore, promoting honest measures is a practical expression of worship, a tangible demonstration of righteousness in the world, and a safeguard for communal well-being.

**How does this apply to me today, since I don't use physical weights and measures in my daily life?**

Answer: While the literal context of physical weights and measures has largely changed, the underlying principle of [Deuteronomy 25:14](/deuteronomy/25-14 "Deuteronomy 25:14 - Prohibition of Divers Measures") remains timeless and universally applicable. Today, "divers measures" can manifest in various forms of dishonesty and inconsistency in our words, actions, and intentions. This includes misrepresenting products or services, inflating prices, deceptive advertising, intellectual dishonesty in academic or professional settings, manipulating data, or even presenting a false persona in social interactions. It calls us to be scrupulously honest in all our dealings—financial, relational, and professional. It challenges us to have a single, consistent standard of truth and integrity that governs our words, actions, and intentions, ensuring that we do not seek unfair advantage or exploit others in any context. The essence is a call to unwavering integrity in a world often tempted by deceit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 25:14, with its uncompromising demand for perfect integrity in measures, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of perfect righteousness, the very standard by which all truth and justice are measured. Unlike those who would employ "divers measures" for personal gain, Jesus lived a life of absolute consistency and truth, utterly without deceit or partiality ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ Committed No Sin")). His teachings consistently condemned hypocrisy and called for genuine integrity of heart, as powerfully illustrated in His woes against the scribes and Pharisees who outwardly appeared righteous but inwardly were full of lawlessness ([Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Furthermore, Christ's atoning work on the cross establishes a new covenant where believers are not merely commanded to be righteous, but are graciously empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of integrity, reflecting His character and fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled")). The New Testament call to "put away falsehood and speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor" ([Ephesians 4:25](/ephesians/4-25 "Ephesians 4:25 - Put Away Falsehood")) is a direct outworking of our new identity in Christ, who is Himself "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). In Him, we find both the grace and the power to live by a single, just measure, honoring God and serving our neighbors with unwavering honesty and love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.