Portion for Reading: Deut 23-25Msg: Deut 25:13-16
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.
A Brief History of Measurement
One of the earliest types of measurement concerned that of length. These measurements were usually based on parts of the body. A well documented example (the first) is the Egyptian cubit which was derived from the length of the arm from the elbow to the outstretched finger tips. By 2500 BC this had been standardised in a royal master cubit made of black marble (about 52 cm). This cubit was divided into 28 digits (roughly a finger width) which could be further divided into fractional parts, the smallest of these being only just over a millimetre.
In England units of measurement were not properly standardised until the 13th century, though variations (and abuses) continued until long after that. For example, there were three different gallons (ale, wine and corn) up until 1824 when the gallon was standardised.
In the U S A the system of weights and measured first adopted was that of the English, though a few differences came in when decisions were made at the time of standardisation in 1836. For instance, the wine-gallon of 231 cubic inches was used instead of the English one (as defined in 1824) of about 277 cubic inches. The U S A also took as their standard of dry measure the old Winchester bushel of 2150.42 cubic inches, which gave a dry gallon of nearly 269 cubic inches.
Even as late as the middle of the 20th century there were some differences in UK and US measures which were nominally the same. The UK inch measured 2.53998 cm while the US inch was 2.540005 cm. Both were standardised at 2.54 cm in July 1959, though the U S continued to use 'their' value for several years in land surveying work - this too is slowly being metricated.
Lenzen states that, 'The Hebrews, like the Babylonians, had two weight standards, one double the weight of the other'. He then provides substantiating ancient quotations or modern scientific assessments in support of his contention. The light Desert Talent is, therefore, simply ½ the value of the heavy Desert Talent. There was, yet, another variation within the system called the Jerusalem standard, which was also divided into "heavy & light" categories.
THE EGYPTIAN WEIGHTS STANDARD.
Figure 3: The 8 stone weights shown are "Beqa weights", which were formerly used in the Nubian gold fields and inscribed with the "Nub" sign (the hieroglyph for gold). Donald L. Lenzen states that, 'The Beqa was multiplied decimally up to 2000 units and divided binarily down to 1/16th shekel'.
The 8 stone weights shown are accompanied by signs, which indicate that they represent 1/3, ½, 1, 1½, 2, 3, 6 & 10 Beqa. Lenzen compares the weight values of four official, carefully marked, Egyptian stone weights to arrive at his average for a Beqa @ 196.65 grains. The stones, all notably inscribed with the names of a king or governor, range from the eras of 2250 BC to 1450 BC. Donald Lenzen's estimate is shown at the left.
Figure 3: The 8 stone weights shown are "Beqa weights", which were formerly used in the Nubian gold fields and inscribed with the "Nub" sign (the hieroglyph for gold). Donald L. Lenzen states that, 'The Beqa was multiplied decimally up to 2000 units and divided binarily down to 1/16th shekel'.The 8 stone weights shown are accompanied by signs, which indicate that they represent 1/3, ½, 1, 1½, 2, 3, 6 & 10 Beqa. Lenzen compares the weight values of four official, carefully marked, Egyptian stone weights to arrive at his average for a Beqa @ 196.65 grains. The stones, all notably inscribed with the names of a king or governor, range from the eras of 2250 BC to 1450 BC. Donald Lenzen's estimate is shown at the left.
Leviticus 19:35-37 parallels this teaching:
Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt.
This is commonly referred to as the principle of "equal weights and measures." Remember, to deal fairly and honestly is our minimal obligation under the Golden Rule. To deal generously and better than expected is our maximal obligation which transforms the Golden Rule into the Platinum Rule.
The light Hebrew Shekel was set to half the grain weight of the heavy Shekel, or something in the close proximity of 131.18 grains.
Deut 25:13-16
A law against deceitful weights and measures: they must not only not use them, but they must not have them, not have them in the bag, not have them in the house (v. 13, 14); for, if they had them, they would be strongly tempted to use them. They must not have a great weight and measure to buy by and a small one to sell by, for that was to cheat both ways, when either was bad enough; as we read of those that made the ephah small, in which they measured the corn they sold, and the shekel great, by which they weighed the money they received for it, Amos viii. 5.
A law against deceitful weights and measures: they must not only not use them, but they must not have them, not have them in the bag, not have them in the house (v. 13, 14); for, if they had them, they would be strongly tempted to use them. They must not have a great weight and measure to buy by and a small one to sell by, for that was to cheat both ways, when either was bad enough; as we read of those that made the ephah small, in which they measured the corn they sold, and the shekel great, by which they weighed the money they received for it, Amos viii. 5.
But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, v. 15. That which is the rule of justice must itself be just; if that be otherwise, it is a constant cheat. This had been taken care of before, Lev. xix. 35, 36.
This law is enforced with two very good reasons:—
1. That justice and equity will bring down upon us the blessing of God. The way to have our days lengthened, and to prosper, is to be just and fair in all our dealings Honesty is the best policy.
2. That fraud and injustice will expose us to the curse of God, v. 16. Not only unrighteousness itself, but all that do unrighteously, are an abomination to the Lord. And miserable is that man who is abhorred by his Maker. How hateful, particularly, all the arts of deceit are to God, Solomon several times observes, Prov. xi. 1; xx. 10, 23; and the apostle tells us that the Lord is the avenger of all such as overreach and defraud in any matter, 1 Thess. iv. 6.
Sources: Mathew Henry Commentary