What does the Bible say about measures?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible commands honesty and fairness in all measures, condemning deceitful weights and calling His people to reflect His righteous character in daily dealings. Proverbs 20:10, Leviticus 19:35, and Deuteronomy 25:14-15 reject unequal measures as an abomination to the Lord, while promising blessing to those who deal truthfully. Micah 6:10 exposes dishonest scales as evidence of covenant unfaithfulness and injustice toward neighbors. Scripture also records practical measures for offerings, food, oil, and grain, such as the ephah and hin in Leviticus 14:10-15 and Exodus 16:36. These details remind us that ordinary commerce and household life belong under God's lordship, and that faith expresses itself in upright love for others.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Unjust, an abomination to God Proverbs 20:10
- The Jews not to be unjust in Leviticus 19:35; Deuteronomy 25:14; Deuteronomy 25:15
- The Jews often used unjust Micah 6:10
- Of liquids and solids
- Log Leviticus 14:10; Leviticus 14:15
- Cab 2 Kings 6:25
- Omer or tenth-deal (the tenth of an ephah) Exodus 16:36; Leviticus 5:11; Leviticus 14:10
- Hin Exodus 29:40
- Bath or ephah Isaiah 5:10; Ezekiel 45:11
- Homer or Cor Isaiah 5:10; Ezekiel 45:14
- Firkin John 2:6
- Of length
- Handbreadth Exodus 25:25; Psalms 39:5
- Span Exodus 28:16; 1 Samuel 17:4
- Cubit Genesis 6:15; Genesis 6:16; Deuteronomy 3:11
- Fathom Acts 27:28
- Furlong Luke 24:13; John 11:13
- Mile Matthew 5:41
- Distances measured by rods and lines 2 Samuel 8:2; Jeremiah 31:39; Ezekiel 40:3; Revelation 21:16
- Were regulated by the standard of the sanctuary 1 Chronicles 23:29
- Illustrative
- (Correcting in measure,) of mitigated afflictions Jeremiah 30:11
- (Drinking tears in great measure,) of severe afflictions Psalms 80:5
- (Weighing the waters in a measure,) of God’s infinite wisdom Job 28:23; Job 28:25
- (Measuring the dust of the earth,) of God’s greatness Isaiah 40:12
- (The measure of our days,) of the shortness of life Psalms 39:4
- (Drinking water, by measure) of severe famine Ezekiel 4:11; Ezekiel 4:16
- (The measure of the stature of Christ,) of perfection Ephesians 4:13
- (Opening the mouth without measure,) of the insatiableness of hell Isaiah 5:14
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