Proverbs 20:23

Proverbs 20:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.
• New International Version (NIV)The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, And dishonest scales are not good.

Context of Proverbs 20:23

21An inheritance quickly obtained in the beginning will never be blessed in the end. 22Do not say, “I’ll get even with you!” Wait for the Lord, and he will save you. A double standard of weights is disgusting to the Lord, and dishonest scales are no good. 24The Lord is the one who directs a person’s steps. How then can anyone understand his own way? 25It is a trap for a person to say impulsively, “This is a holy offering!” and later to have second thoughts about those vows.

Proverbs 20:23 word by word

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הוָה אֶ֣בֶן וָאָ֑בֶן וּמֹאזְנֵ֖י מִרְמָ֣ה לֹא־טֽוֹב׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Divers weightsאֶ֫בֶן'eben · stoneH68
• an abominationתּוֹעֵבַהtô‛êbah tô‛êbah · abominationH8441
• unto the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• and a falseמִרְמָהmirmâh · deceitH4820
• balanceמֹאזֵןmô'zên · balanceH3976
• not goodטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:23

• Proverbs 20:10A double standard of weights and measures— both are disgusting to the Lord.
• Ezekiel 45:10You must have honest scales and honest dry and liquid measures.
• Hosea 12:7⌞The Lord says,⌟ “The merchants use dishonest scales. They love to cheat people.
• Amos 8:5You say to yourselves, “When will the New Moon Festival be over so that we can sell more grain? When will the day of rest—a holy day, be over so that we can sell more wheat? We can shrink the size of the bushel baskets, increase the cost, and cheat with dishonest scales.

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:23

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 A bargain made by fraud will prove a losing bargain in the end.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23This proverb's message appears in three other proverbs (see Proverbs 11:1; 16:11; 20:10).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. (Compare Pr 20:10; 11:1).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:23

• Abomination
• Balances
• Dishonesty
• Honesty
• Measure
• Weights

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Balance

Commentaries on Proverbs 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings