Ezekiel 45:12

KJV

And the shekel [shall be] twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the shekel {H8255} shall be twenty {H6242} gerahs {H1626}: twenty {H6242} shekels {H8255}, five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} shekels {H8255}, fifteen {H2568}{H6235} shekels {H8255}, shall be your maneh {H4488}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also the shekel is to be twenty gerahs; your maneh will be the sum of a twenty-shekel piece, a twenty-five-shekel piece and a fifteen-shekel piece.

Berean Standard Bible

The shekel will consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels will equal one mina.

American Standard Version

And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs; twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 45:12 establishes precise, divinely ordained standards for weights and measures within the visionary temple and land distribution, specifically defining the shekel's relation to the gerah and the maneh's composition. This meticulous regulation underscores God's unwavering demand for justice, integrity, and equity in all commercial and sacrificial transactions, ensuring that the restored community operates under principles of absolute fairness and divine order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Ezekiel's grand vision of the new temple and the reorganized land, spanning chapters 40-48. Following the detailed architectural blueprints and priestly regulations, Ezekiel 45 shifts focus to the administration of the land, the prince's offerings, and the temple's economic integrity. Specifically, verses [Ezekiel 45:9-12](/ezekiel/45-9 "Ezekiel 45:9-12 - Divine Call for Justice and Equity") lay down fundamental principles of justice, condemning oppression and demanding righteous judgment. Verse 10 explicitly calls for "just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath," setting the stage for the precise definitions of weights and measures in verse 12. These meticulous details emphasize that God's holiness and order extend beyond the sacred rituals to permeate every aspect of the community's daily life, including its economic dealings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, commerce was a cornerstone of daily life, and the integrity of weights and measures was paramount. Unfortunately, deceptive practices, such as using false balances or short measures, were rampant and often exploited the vulnerable. This was a persistent problem in Israel, frequently condemned by the prophets (e.g., [Amos 8:5](/amos/8-5 "Amos 8:5 - Oppression and Dishonest Gain")). Ezekiel, prophesying during the Babylonian exile, envisions a future restoration where such injustices would be eradicated. By providing exact, divinely sanctioned standards, God ensures that the rebuilt community will operate with unprecedented honesty, reflecting His own righteous character. This vision served as both a rebuke of past failures and a blueprint for a truly just society upon their return.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 45:12 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Order**, demonstrating that God's authority extends to the minutiae of economic life, not just religious rituals. He is the ultimate standard-setter for all human conduct. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Justice and Equity**, emphasizing God's passionate concern for fairness and the protection of the vulnerable from exploitation. This aligns with the repeated biblical call for righteous living in all spheres, as seen in [Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - The Lord Detests Dishonest Scales"). Finally, it speaks to the theme of **Holiness and Integrity**, asserting that the restored community's righteousness must permeate every aspect of their existence, including the marketplace. The purity of the temple is mirrored by the purity of commercial transactions, reflecting a holistic commitment to God's ways.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shekel (Hebrew, _sheqel'_):** From שָׁקַל (shaqal), meaning "to weigh." This term refers to a fundamental unit of weight and currency in ancient Israel, used as a commercial standard. Its precise value could vary, but here its relationship to other units is divinely fixed, emphasizing a consistent and reliable standard.
* **gerahs (Hebrew, _gêrâh'_):** From גָּרַר (garar), meaning "to scrape." Properly, this term refers to a kernel, like a grain or bean, and by extension, a small weight or coin. In this verse, it defines the smallest subdivision of the shekel, specifying that one shekel equals twenty gerahs, a standard ratio also found in [Exodus 30:13](/exodus/30-13 "Exodus 30:13 - The Half-Shekel Offering").
* **maneh (Hebrew, _mâneh'_):** From מָנָה (manah), meaning "to count" or "to apportion." This term denotes a fixed weight or measured amount, specifically a mina or pound. In Ezekiel's vision, the maneh is uniquely defined as 60 shekels, a deviation from the more common 50-shekel maneh found in other ancient Near Eastern systems. This specific definition highlights a divinely ordained, distinct standard for the temple economy, reinforcing the idea of precise, sacred measurements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the shekel [shall be] twenty gerahs":** This clause establishes the foundational relationship between the shekel, a common unit of weight and currency, and its smallest subdivision, the gerah. By mandating that one shekel must consistently equal twenty gerahs, God sets a non-negotiable standard for the smallest units of commercial exchange. This prevents manipulation at the micro-level, ensuring that even the smallest transactions are conducted with absolute accuracy and fairness. It underscores the divine concern for integrity in every detail.
* **"twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.":** This second, more complex clause defines the composition of the maneh, a larger unit of weight. The sum of these three seemingly arbitrary numbers (20 + 25 + 15) equals 60 shekels. This unique definition of the maneh as 60 shekels, rather than the more common 50 shekels found in Babylonian or other ancient systems, is peculiar to Ezekiel's vision. It suggests a distinct, divinely instituted standard for the temple economy, perhaps reflecting a sacred or ideal measure. This precise, divinely prescribed calculation eliminates any ambiguity or potential for fraud in larger transactions, ensuring that all commercial and sacrificial dealings within the restored community adhere to God's exact and righteous standards.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezekiel 45:12 is **Precision and Detail**. The prophet, under divine inspiration, meticulously lists specific numerical relationships between units of weight. This extreme level of detail is not merely technical; it serves a profound theological purpose. It underscores God's absolute control and His demand for exactitude in all matters, especially those pertaining to justice and integrity. The very specificity of the numbers, particularly the unique 60-shekel maneh, also functions as **Symbolism**. It symbolizes a new, divinely ordered reality, distinct from the corrupt practices of the past. This new standard represents a kingdom where righteousness permeates even the most mundane economic transactions, reflecting the perfect order and holiness of God Himself. The passage also employs **Didacticism**, teaching the reader about God's character and His expectations for righteous living through the concrete example of weights and measures.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 45:12 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding commitment to justice and integrity, demonstrating that His holiness extends far beyond the temple courts into the marketplace. This divine concern for honest dealings reveals that ethical conduct in commerce is not merely a societal convention but a fundamental aspect of reflecting God's character. The establishment of precise, unwavering standards for weights and measures underscores that God is a God of order, truth, and fairness, who detests all forms of deception and exploitation. This principle serves as a foundational call for His people to embody righteousness in every sphere of life, recognizing that their economic practices are as much an act of worship as their religious rituals.

* [Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - The Lord Detests Dishonest Scales")
* [Deuteronomy 25:13-16](/deuteronomy/25-13 "Deuteronomy 25:13-16 - Do Not Have Dishonest Weights")
* [Leviticus 19:35-36](/leviticus/19-35 "Leviticus 19:35-36 - Just Measures and Balances")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While modern society no longer uses gerahs, shekels, or manehs, the profound spiritual principles embedded in Ezekiel 45:12 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse challenges us to examine the integrity of our own lives, particularly in areas where precision, honesty, and fairness are paramount. It calls us to reflect God's character in every transaction, whether in business, personal finances, or even in our interactions and commitments. Do we operate with absolute transparency and truthfulness in our work, our financial dealings, and our relationships? Do we give a full measure, or do we cut corners? This passage reminds us that our faith is not compartmentalized; it permeates every aspect of our existence, demanding a holistic commitment to righteousness that honors God in both the sacred and the secular.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life, beyond traditional "business," might I be tempted to use "dishonest scales" or imprecise measures?**
* **How does my commitment to integrity in my daily work or financial dealings reflect God's character to those around me?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure greater transparency and fairness in my personal and professional interactions?**
* **How does the divine concern for meticulous detail in weights and measures inform my understanding of God's care for justice in society today?**

### FAQ

**Why is God so concerned with weights and measures in the Bible?**

Answer: God's concern for weights and measures, as seen in [Ezekiel 45:12](/ezekiel/45-12 "Ezekiel 45:12 - Just Weights and Measures"), stems from His fundamental character as a God of justice, righteousness, and order. In ancient societies, dishonest weights and measures were a common form of exploitation, particularly against the poor and vulnerable. By mandating precise and unchangeable standards, God ensures equity in all commercial transactions, preventing fraud and promoting fairness. This demonstrates that His holiness extends beyond religious rituals into the practical, economic realities of daily life, emphasizing that true worship involves living righteously in every sphere. This concern is echoed throughout the Old Testament, for example, in [Proverbs 16:11](/proverbs/16-11 "Proverbs 16:11 - Just Weights are the Lord's").

**What is the significance of the "60 shekel" maneh in Ezekiel 45:12, as opposed to other common values?**

Answer: The definition of the maneh as 60 shekels in [Ezekiel 45:12](/ezekiel/45-12 "Ezekiel 45:12 - Just Weights and Measures") is unique to Ezekiel's vision. In other ancient Near Eastern systems, a maneh (or mina) was typically equivalent to 50 shekels. This deviation is highly significant. It suggests that Ezekiel's visionary temple economy operates under a distinct, divinely instituted standard, rather than conforming to prevailing regional norms. This "sacred maneh" emphasizes the absolute precision, purity, and divine authority governing all aspects of the restored community. It underscores that the new covenant order, as envisioned by Ezekiel, would be set apart and governed by God's perfect standards, free from the corruptions of the past.

**How does Ezekiel 45:12 apply to Christians today, given we don't use these specific units?**

Answer: While the specific units of gerah, shekel, and maneh are no longer in use, the underlying principles of [Ezekiel 45:12](/ezekiel/45-12 "Ezekiel 45:12 - Just Weights and Measures") are timeless and profoundly applicable to Christians today. The verse calls believers to absolute integrity, honesty, and fairness in all their dealings. This includes ethical business practices, transparent financial transactions, accurate reporting, and fulfilling commitments with precision. It reminds us that God cares about the details of our lives, not just our spiritual disciplines. Our commitment to righteous "weights and measures" in our work, finances, and relationships is a tangible expression of our faith and a reflection of God's character to a watching world. As [Colossians 3:23](/colossians/3-23 "Colossians 3:23 - Work Heartily for the Lord") says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 45:12, with its meticulous divine standards for weights and measures, foreshadows the ultimate standard of righteousness found in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament law prescribed external regulations to govern a people prone to injustice, Christ embodies the perfect fulfillment of every divine standard, living a life of absolute integrity and truthfulness ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He is the true "just balance" and "just measure" by which all things are weighed, revealing the Father's perfect will and character ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). In the New Covenant, believers are not merely called to adhere to external rules, but to be transformed internally by the Spirit, becoming new creations in Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Our righteousness is not based on our own imperfect adherence to a law of weights and measures, but on Christ's perfect righteousness imputed to us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Furthermore, as followers of Christ, we are called to embody His justice and integrity in our daily lives, reflecting His character in our dealings, not out of legalistic compulsion, but out of love and gratitude for the One who gave His full measure for us on the cross ([Ephesians 5:1-2](/ephesians/5-1 "Ephesians 5:1-2 - Imitate God, Walk in Love")). Thus, the precise standards of Ezekiel find their ultimate meaning and power in the person and work of Jesus, who enables us to live lives of true integrity that honor God.

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.

Cross-References

Exodus 30:13

This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel [is] twenty gerahs:) an half shekel [shall be] the offering of the LORD.

Leviticus 27:25

And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.

Numbers 3:47

Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take [them]: (the shekel [is] twenty gerahs:)