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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)The Lord detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

Context of Proverbs 20:23

21An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. 22Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you. The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. 24A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? 25It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s 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 20:10Differing weights and differing measures— the Lord detests them both.
• Ezekiel 45:10You are to use accurate scales, an accurate ephah and an accurate bath.
• Hosea 12:7The merchant uses dishonest scales and loves to defraud.
• Amos 8:5saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”— skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating 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