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 gained easily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. 22Do not say, “I will pay back evil!” Wait for the Lord, so that he may vindicate you. The Lord abhors differing weights, and dishonest scales are wicked. 24The steps of a person are ordained by the Lord – so how can anyone understand his own way? 25It is a snare for a person to rashly cry, “Holy!” and only afterward to consider what he has vowed.

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 20:10Diverse weights and diverse measures – the Lord abhors both of them.
• Ezekiel 45:10You must use just balances, a just dry measure (an ephah), and a just liquid measure (a bath).
• Hosea 12:7The businessmen love to cheat; they use dishonest scales.
• Amos 8:5You say, “When will the new moon festival be over, so we can sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, so we can open up the grain bins? We’re eager to sell less for a higher price, and to cheat the buyer with rigged 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