Introduction to Proverbs 11:1: The Scales of Righteousness
Proverbs 11:1 presents a powerful moral and theological declaration about honesty in commerce and divine justice. The phrase מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה (moznê mirmāh, “deceitful scales”) serves as a metaphor for fraudulent business practices, which are described as an abomination to YHWH. This verse contrasts dishonest dealings with righteous weights, demonstrating that economic ethics are fundamentally linked to divine favor or disapproval.
מֹאזְנֵ֣י מִ֭רְמָה תֹּועֲבַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה וְאֶ֖בֶן שְׁלֵמָ֣ה רְצֹונֹֽו׃
The Weight of Words: Understanding מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה
מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה תֹּועֲבַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה
- מֹאזְנֵי (moznê) – “Scales” (plural construct form of מֹאזְנַיִם, moznayim, “balances, scales”).
- מִרְמָה (mirmāh) – “Deceit, fraud, treachery” (construct modifying מֹאזְנֵי, forming “scales of deceit”).
- תֹּועֲבַת יְהוָה (tôʿăvat YHWH) – “An abomination to YHWH” (expressing divine condemnation).
וְאֶ֖בֶן שְׁלֵמָ֣ה רְצֹונֹֽו
- אֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה (ʾeven šəlēmāh) – “A full/just stone” (metaphor for honest measurement).
- רְצֹונֹֽו (rəsōnōw) – “His delight” (expressing divine approval).
The Imagery of Weighing: The Function of מֹאזְנֵי
The Economic and Judicial Significance of מֹאזְנֵי
The word מֹאזְנֵי (moznê, “balances/scales”) refers to a weighing instrument used in trade. In the ancient Near East, justice and commerce were deeply connected—weights and measures were a symbol of fairness in transactions.
- Leviticus 19:36 – “You shall have just balances (מֹאזְנֵי צֶדֶק), just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin.”
- Deuteronomy 25:13-15 – “You shall not have in your bag differing weights (אֶבֶן וָאֶבֶן), a large and a small… A full and just weight you shall have.”
Thus, the imagery of deceptive scales is not just about commerce, but justice in all aspects of life.
The Deception of מִרְמָה: How Fraud Undermines Society
Morphological Analysis of מִרְמָה
The noun מִרְמָה (mirmāh) is derived from the root ר-מ-ה (r-m-h), meaning “to deceive, to act treacherously.” It appears frequently in contexts of fraud, trickery, and falsehood:
- Psalm 55:12 – “His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords (מִרְמָה).”
- Micah 6:11 – “Shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales (מֹאזְנֵי רְשַׁע) and with a bag of deceitful weights?”
Theological Implications: Why מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה are an Abomination
The phrase תֹּועֲבַת יְהוָה (tôʿăvat YHWH, “an abomination to YHWH”) is a strong condemnation in biblical language. The term תֹּועֵבָה (tôʿēvāh, “abomination”) is used to describe:
- Idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:25).
- Sexual perversions (Leviticus 18:22).
- Dishonest dealings (Deuteronomy 25:16).
This shows that economic dishonesty is not a minor sin—it is as detestable as idolatry in God’s sight.
Ethical Weights: The Meaning of אֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה
The Symbolism of “A Full Stone”
The contrast in the second half of the verse—אֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה רְצֹונֹֽו (ʾeven šəlēmāh rəsōnōw, “a full stone is His delight”)—introduces an ethical alternative.
- אֶבֶן (ʾeven) – “Stone,” referring to standardized weights.
- שְׁלֵמָה (šəlēmāh) – “Complete, whole, honest.” (Root: שׁ-ל-ם, š-l-m, meaning “to be whole, at peace.”).
The contrast implies that just business practices reflect divine order—YHWH “delights” in honest dealings.
The Role of מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה in Proverbs 11:1
The phrase מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה in Proverbs 11:1 teaches a timeless ethical principle:
Key Takeaways:
- Grammatically, מֹאזְנֵי is in the construct state, forming “scales of deceit.”
- Theologically, dishonest business practices are an abomination, equated with spiritual corruption.
- Ethically, just measures reflect divine justice—economic integrity is a moral obligation.
In a world where unjust weights still exist in various forms, this verse serves as a reminder that true righteousness is measured not just in religious rituals, but in everyday integrity.
