King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 25:13 Mean?

Deuteronomy 25:13 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights , a great and a small. divers: Heb. a stone and a stone — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights , a great and a small. divers: Heb. a stone and a stone

Deuteronomy 25:13 · KJV


Context

11

When men strive together one with another , and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

12

Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.

13

Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights , a great and a small. divers: Heb. a stone and a stone

14

Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures , a great and a small. divers: Heb. an ephah and an ephah

15

But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small—prohibiting dishonest merchants who carried two sets of weights: heavy ones for buying (getting more goods for payment) and light ones for selling (giving less goods for payment). The Hebrew even va-even (אֶבֶן וָאֶבֶן, 'stone and stone') refers to stone weights used with balance scales. Having multiple weights enabled fraud, cheating customers and suppliers alike.

This continues Leviticus 19:35-36 and appears again in Proverbs 11:1, 16:11, 20:10, 23. Weights and measures were fundamental to commerce—grain, oil, wine, and precious metals all sold by weight. Fraud corrupted the marketplace and violated the justice God demanded. The law required one accurate standard for all transactions, reflecting God's own unchanging righteousness as the standard for His people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Given circa 1406 BC before Israel engaged in agricultural and commercial economy in Canaan. Ancient markets lacked standardized regulation; merchants supplied their own weights and measures. This invited abuse, especially against illiterate peasants who couldn't verify accuracy. Archaeological discoveries of ancient weights show significant variation, suggesting fraud was indeed common. Israel's law demanded commercial honesty as religious obligation, unlike pagan cultures separating marketplace ethics from religion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do dishonest business practices violate God's character and damage society's trust?
  2. What modern equivalents exist to 'diverse weights'—deceptive practices in commerce or communication?
  3. How should Christians ensure integrity in business dealings, contracts, and financial representations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
לֹֽא1 of 8
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִהְיֶ֥ה2 of 8
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְךָ֛3 of 8
H0
בְּכִֽיסְךָ֖4 of 8

Thou shalt not have in thy bag

H3599

a cup; also a bag for money or weights

וָאָ֑בֶן5 of 8

divers weights

H68

a stone

וָאָ֑בֶן6 of 8

divers weights

H68

a stone

גְּדוֹלָ֖ה7 of 8

a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּקְטַנָּֽה׃8 of 8

and a small

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 25:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 25:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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