Leviticus 19:35 · Bible study
Leviticus 19:35 Commentary: Justice in Judgment and Commerce
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study the command against unrighteousness in judgment and dishonest weights/measures in Leviticus 19:35, with insights from Calvin, Gill, and others.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The verse prohibits dishonesty in both judicial decisions and commercial transactions involving measures of length, weight, and volume.
- Key words: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, judgment/justice), מִדָּה (middah, measurement), מִשְׁקָל (mishqal, weight), מְשׂוּרָה (mesurah, volume).
- Main debate: Whether “judgment” is a broad term for all justice (Calvin) or a separate category from commercial measures (Keil & Delitzsch).
- Theological theme: Holiness includes integrity in every transaction; God's deliverance from Egypt grounds ethical conduct.
- Best use: Preaching on business ethics, social justice, and the integration of faith and daily work.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume.
WEB World English Bible 2000
“‘You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity.
KJV King James Version 1769
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
`Ye do not do perversity in judgment, in mete-yard, in weight, or in liquid measure;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measure of length, in weight, and in measure of capacity:
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Do not any unjust thing in judgment, in rule, in weight, or in measure.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
No hagáis agravio en juicio, en medida de tierra, ni en peso, ni en otra medida.
Não façais injustiça no juízo, na medida da terra, nem no peso, nem em outra medida.
Vous ne commettrez point d’ iniquité ni dans les jugements, ni dans les mesures de dimension, ni dans les poids, ni dans les mesures de capacité.
Ihr sollt nicht unrecht handeln im Gericht mit der Elle, mit Gewicht, mit Maß.
Gij zult geen onrecht doen in het gericht, met de el, met het gewicht, of met de maat.
Non commetterete ingiustizie nei giudizi, né con le misure di lunghezza, né coi pesi, né con le misure di capacità.
Nie czyńcie nieprawości w sądzie; w rozmierzaniu, w wadze, i w mierze.
Не делайте неправды в суде, в мере, в весе и в измерении:
「你們施行審判，不可 行 不義；在尺、秤、升、斗上也是如此。
Do not make false decisions in questions of yard-sticks and weights and measures.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Leviticus 19:35
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse demands absolute honesty in all human dealings. The prohibition of unrighteousness (עָוֶל, 'avel) covers both formal legal proceedings and the everyday transactions of the marketplace. Calvin notes that the word mishpat can mean “rectitude,” so the verse may generally condemn all injustice before specifying the most injurious forms: false measures of length, weight, and capacity. Gill observes that a measurer is a judge; deception in trade perverts justice just as a corrupt court does. Keil and Delitzsch see here two spheres, judgment proper and social commerce, but both require just dealings. The command is enforced by the repeated refrain “I am Yahweh,” grounding integrity in the character of the God who delivered Israel from Egypt. All commentators connect this to cross-references like Proverbs 11:1 and Deuteronomy 25:13, which declare false weights an abomination.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- 'Judgment' as comprehensive: Calvin argues that mishpat often means rectitude, making the verse a general condemnation of all injustice with weights/measures as prime examples.
- 'Judgment' as separate sphere: Keil & Delitzsch and others see it as a transition from judicial fairness (v.15) to commercial honesty, treating them as distinct but related commands.
What is clear: The verse unequivocally condemns all forms of dishonesty in both public justice and private commerce, linking integrity to the character of the God who redeemed Israel.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship between 'judgment' and weights/measures | Both judicial honesty and honest weights/measures are required by God. | Some commentators (e.g., Calvin) see 'judgment' (mishpat) as a general term for rectitude, making the weights/measures specific applications. Others (e.g., Keil & Delitzsch) treat them as distinct spheres: court justice and commercial ethics. |
| Role of the exodus as motivation | The exodus is the theological foundation for the command; God's redemption compels ethical behaviour. | Some emphasize gratitude as the motivation (Matthew Henry), while others stress covenant obligation and the preservations of community trust (Calvin). |
| Applicability to modern economies | The principle of honesty in all transactions remains binding. | Some see the specific measures (ephah, hin) as culturally bound, while others treat them as transcultural standards for fair trade that must be adapted to each era. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Leviticus 19 stands as a central chapter in the holiness code, calling Israel to mirror God's character in every area of life. The command against unrighteousness in judgment and measures appears near the end of a series of laws covering worship, treatment of neighbors, and care for the vulnerable (vv. 9, 34). Verse 35 moves from protecting the poor and the stranger (vv. 9, 10, 33, 34) to protecting the integrity of commercial life itself.
In the ancient Near East, markets relied on physical standards for length, weight, and volume. The Hebrew terms are specific: middah (measure of length or surface), mishqal (weight, such as shekels), and mesurah (volume, for dry and liquid goods). Adam Clarke notes that standard weights were kept at the sanctuary for verification (Exodus 30:13; 1 Chronicles 23:29). A “just ephah” and “just hin” (v. 36) were the official measures, about a bushel and a gallon and a half respectively, according to Barnes and the Cambridge Bible. To tamper with these was to steal under the guise of trade, corrupting the trust that binds a community.
The verse's placement after the command to love the stranger (v. 34) is significant. Israel had been slaves in Egypt, subjected to arbitrary and oppressive dealings. The exodus became the theological basis for fair treatment: “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt” (v. 36). Honest measures were not merely practical; they were an act of worship, testifying that Israel served a God of justice. Calvin observes that such fraud “differs little from him who utters false coin,” and he cites Roman decrees punishing offenders with banishment. The command thus addresses both the heart and the hands of the covenant community.
Textual Notes
The consulted commentaries note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text is consistent across manuscripts, with the definite article present on each of the four categories (ba-), emphasizing the specific standards of justice, measurement, weight, and volume.
Reception History
Jewish tradition, as represented by the commentator Jarchi (cited by Gill), understands this command as extending to all who handle measures, making them judges of integrity. In the Christian tradition, Calvin connected it to Roman legal precedents, showing that even pagan societies recognized the gravity of false measures. The verse has been a staple of moral instruction, reinforcing that worship and commerce are inseparable. It appears in Reformed catechetical teaching on the Eighth Commandment and continues to be used in ethical discussions on business integrity today.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Justice is a seamless garment. The same word mishpat covers court and marketplace. God does not separate “spiritual” integrity from commercial honesty.
- God sees the hidden scale. Even small deceptions in weights and measures are an abomination to Him (Proverbs 11:1). Nothing escapes His notice.
- Honest trade flows from a delivered people. The exodus grounds our ethics. Because God rescued Israel from oppressive Egypt, they were to treat others with fairness and generosity.
Five-point outline
- The comprehensive call: no unrighteousness in any judgment, whether legal or commercial.
- The precise application: measures of length, weight, and volume, the three main axes of ancient trade.
- The temptation: using dual standards to gain an edge, buying cheap and selling dear with dishonest tools.
- The heart issue: dishonesty reveals distrust in God's provision. It says, “I need to cheat to survive.”
- The motivation: “I am Yahweh.” Our identity shapes our integrity. We are people of a just God, called to image Him.
Illustration hooks
- A contractor uses slightly thinner drywall to save money but charges for standard thickness. The small cheat undermines trust.
- A farmer fills grain sacks with a shallow measure, knowing the buyer won't check. Each bag shortchanges the neighbor.
- Online sellers who inflate shipping costs or misrepresent product size are the modern version of false measures.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God really care about small business practices like rounding up hours or minor price adjustments?
- How do I maintain integrity when everyone else seems to cheat?
- Is it enough to be honest in “spiritual” matters if I cut corners in my work?
Leading a Discussion
This verse connects our worship to our work. It asks whether we treat the checkout counter as a holy place. As you read Leviticus 19:35, 36 together, notice how God ties honest measures to His own character and to the exodus. The question is not just about ancient scales but about every transaction in your life today.
Discussion questions
- What does “unrighteousness in judgment” mean in your daily context, both in official decisions and in informal dealings?
- Have you ever been tempted to use a “light weight” in some area, even something small? What was that temptation rooted in?
- Why do you think God specifically mentions measures of length, weight, and volume? What does that say about His attention to detail?
- How does the exodus (verse 36) serve as a motivation for honesty? What does that teach us about the connection between salvation and ethics?
- Read Proverbs 11:1 and 20:10. What do these verses reveal about God’s feelings toward dishonest business practices?
- How can a church cultivate a culture of integrity in finances, hiring, and everyday interactions without being legalistic?
- What is one specific step you could take this week to ensure your “measures” are just, in whatever sphere of life you occupy?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Leviticus 19:15 | “‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness. |
| Deuteronomy 25:13 | You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light. |
| Deuteronomy 25:15 | You shall have a perfect and just weight. You shall have a perfect and just measure, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. |
| Proverbs 11:1 | A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight. |
| Proverbs 16:11 | Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. |
| Proverbs 20:10 | Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh. |
| Ezekiel 22:12 | In you have they taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by oppression, and have forgotten me,” says the Lord Yahweh. |
| Ezekiel 22:13 | “‘“Behold, therefore I have struck my hand at your dishonest gain which you have made, and at the blood which has been shed within you. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights that "unrighteousness" in this verse refers specifically to four areas of daily life: civil judgments in court, linear measures, weights, and measures of capacity. He explains the Hebrew terms behind each category, stressing that strict justice must govern every transaction and legal decision between people.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes points out that the closing phrase "I am the Lord your God" formally concludes the entire list of commands in this chapter, not just the immediately preceding verse. He explains that all these precepts rest on Israel's election by Yahweh, who freed them from bondage in Egypt.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin takes the word "judgment" in a broad sense to include all dishonest dealings, not just courtroom verdicts. He argues that cheating with weights and measures strikes at the foundation of human society, making it nearly as serious as counterfeiting.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator defines the ancient units of measure literally: ephah as a bushel, hin
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The note treats dishonest scales, measures, and lengths as a direct form of unjust judgment. It insists that cheating in trade is not a minor offense but a violation of God's command for equity in all dealings, making everyday commerce a matter of divine justice.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that dishonest weights and measures are not just theft but a form of unrighteous judgment. Citing Jewish tradition, he explains that anyone who measures deceitfully acts as a corrupt judge, bringing defilement, profaning God’s name, and driving away the divine presence from the land.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch see the command to do no wrong in judgment as extending to all trade and commerce, requiring honest scales and measures. They highlight the specific prohibition against keeping two kinds of weights or measures, one for buying and one for selling. This command, they note, was frequently condemned by the prophets.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry sees the command as a safeguard against idolatry and immorality, tying Sabbath observance and reverence for the sanctuary together. He then applies the principle to Christian gatherings: though no place is holy by divine institution, the promise of Christ's presence in solemn assemblies still demands respectful behavior.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley draws a careful distinction between two kinds of measurement used in ancient practice. "Mete-yard" applies to measuring land or dry goods like cloth and ribbon, while "measure" refers to liquids or pour-able dry items such as corn or wine.