What are the dishonest scales in Proverbs 11:1?

Many of Solomon’s proverbs emphasize the importance of maintaining honesty and integrity in all aspects of life. Using “dishonest scales” as a metaphor for fraudulent business practices, Solomon places one’s commercial and professional ethics squarely in the realm of spirituality: “The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights” (Proverbs 11:1, NLT).

In ancient trade and commerce, scales were commonly used to weigh, measure, and assign value to currency, goods, produce, grain, and other commodities. Scales were utilized in most daily marketplace transactions. These scales or balances were constructed of a horizontal bar with a suspended plate at either end. One side held the object to be weighed, and the other bore a counterweight. Unscrupulous merchants used “dishonest scales” (NIV, NLT) or “a false balance” (ESV, KJV, NASB95).

Unprincipled merchants cheated customers by using faulty, unbalanced scales and manipulating weights during transactions. To boost profits, some might use two sets of stone weights when valuing merchandise—utilizing lighter weights when selling goods (offering less product for the stated price) and heavier weights when buying (acquiring more goods for the same price).

The practice of using dishonest scales was strictly prohibited by biblical law: “Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house—one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly” (Deuteronomy 25:13–16; see also Leviticus 19:35–36).

The prophets vehemently condemned the use of dishonest scales, characterizing it as a wicked and disgusting practice to oppress the poor and vulnerable: “What shall I say about the homes of the wicked filled with treasures gained by cheating? What about the disgusting practice of measuring out grain with dishonest measures? How can I tolerate your merchants who use dishonest scales and weights? The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence. Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can no longer tell the truth. ‘Therefore, I will wound you! I will bring you to ruin for all your sins’” (Micah 6:10–13, NLT; see also Ezekiel 45:10; Hosea 12:7; Amos 8:5).

Wisdom literature echoes the law and the prophets in condemning deceitfulness and duplicity: “False weights and unequal measures—the Lord detests double standards of every kind” (Proverbs 20:10, NLT; see also Proverbs 16:11; 20:23). As God’s people, we are accountable to Him in all our dealings with others (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:15). Whenever we have the opportunity, “we should do good to everyone” (Galatians 6:10; see also Ephesians 4:28). Instead of selfishly harming and cheating people for personal gain, we must be above reproach, dealing fairly and accurately in business.

Jesus took these principles of honesty and integrity in business a step further, teaching His followers not to be greedy but generous and compassionate toward everyone: “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High. . . . You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. . . . Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:35–38, NLT).

God is interested in every facet of our character. He hates when we resort to dishonest gain but “loves a person who gives cheerfully” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NLT). In passages such as Proverbs 11:1, the Bible emphasizes God’s extreme displeasure with fraudulent or unfair business practices and His intense delight in fairness, accuracy, honesty, and integrity. Instead of using dishonest scales, God’s children “should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others” (1 Timothy 6:18, NLT).