King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 25:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 25:15 in the King James Version says “But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthen... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 25:15 · KJV


Context

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.

16

For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

17

Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have—the positive command after negative prohibitions. The Hebrew even shelemah va-tzedek (אֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה וָצֶדֶק) means 'complete/whole and righteous weight.' Perfect indicates accuracy and wholeness; just means righteous, fair, conforming to God's standard. That thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee—honest commerce was connected to national longevity in the Promised Land.

The promise links economic justice to covenant blessing. Societies built on fraud self-destruct as trust collapses and relationships fracture. Conversely, integrity creates sustainable prosperity—honest markets benefit all participants, enabling exchange and specialization. The land tenure promise appears throughout Deuteronomy, always conditioned on obedience. Commercial honesty wasn't peripheral ethics but covenant core—reflecting God's character in everyday business demonstrated covenant faithfulness as much as sacrifice and Sabbath.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Delivered circa 1406 BC before Israel possessed the land and could forfeit it through disobedience. The conditional land promise pervades Deuteronomy—obedience brings longevity, rebellion brings exile (see Deuteronomy 28). This wasn't crude prosperity gospel but covenant reality: God gave the land, and sustained possession required continued faithfulness. Later prophets (Amos, Micah, Hosea) condemned marketplace fraud as contributing to Israel's judgment and exile, fulfilling this warning.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does commercial integrity affect a nation's stability and prosperity, both ancient and modern?
  2. What's the connection between daily ethical choices (like honest business) and spiritual standing before God?
  3. How can Christians promote 'just weights' in modern complex economies (accurate advertising, fair contracts, transparent pricing)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
אֶ֣בֶן1 of 20

weight

H68

a stone

שְׁלֵמָ֛ה2 of 20

But thou shalt have a perfect

H8003

complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly

וָצֶ֖דֶק3 of 20

and just

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

יִֽהְיֶה4 of 20
H1961

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

לָּ֔ךְ5 of 20
H0
אֵיפָ֧ה6 of 20

measure

H374

an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general

שְׁלֵמָ֛ה7 of 20

But thou shalt have a perfect

H8003

complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly

וָצֶ֖דֶק8 of 20

and just

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

יִֽהְיֶה9 of 20
H1961

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

לָּ֑ךְ10 of 20
H0
לְמַ֙עַן֙11 of 20
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יַֽאֲרִ֣יכוּ12 of 20

may be lengthened

H748

to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)

יָמֶ֔יךָ13 of 20

shalt thou have that thy days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עַ֚ל14 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה15 of 20

in the land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר16 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֥ה17 of 20

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ18 of 20

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹתֵ֥ן19 of 20

giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָֽךְ׃20 of 20
H0

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 25:15 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 25:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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