King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 45:10 Mean?

Ezekiel 45:10 in the King James Version says “Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath. — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.

Ezekiel 45:10 · KJV


Context

8

In the land shall be his possession in Israel: and my princes shall no more oppress my people; and the rest of the land shall they give to the house of Israel according to their tribes.

9

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. exactions: Heb. expulsions

10

Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.

11

The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer.

12

And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath—God commands honest weights and measures using three Hebrew terms: mo'znei-tsedeq (מֹאזְנֵי־צֶדֶק, "balances of righteousness"), eifat-tsedeq (אֵיפַת־צֶדֶק, "ephah of righteousness"), and bat-tsedeq (בַּת־צֶדֶק, "bath of righteousness"). The emphatic repetition of tsedeq (righteousness/justice) elevates commercial honesty to a matter of holiness, not mere ethics.

Israel had repeatedly violated this (Amos 8:5, Micah 6:10-11), using false weights to defraud. In the restored temple economy, worship and marketplace must align—tsedeq in the sanctuary demands tsedeq in the shop. An ephah (dry measure, ~22 liters) and bath (liquid measure, ~22 liters) represented daily transactions. God cares about grain sales and oil purchases because economic justice reflects His character. Jesus' rebuke of temple merchants (Matthew 21:12-13) and James's warning against fraud (James 5:4) continue this ethical demand.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylonian exile resulted partly from Israel's systemic injustice (Ezekiel 22:12, 29). Merchants used multiple sets of weights—heavier for buying, lighter for selling—accumulating wealth through incremental theft. Archaeological discoveries have found ancient weights varying significantly, confirming widespread commercial fraud in the ancient Near East.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's concern for accurate business measurements reveal His character?
  2. In what ways might Christians today use 'false balances' in their professional or personal dealings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
מֹֽאזְנֵי1 of 8

balances

H3976

(only in the dual) a pair of scales

צֶ֖דֶק2 of 8

Ye shall have just

H6664

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

וְאֵֽיפַת3 of 8

ephah

H374

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

צֶ֖דֶק4 of 8

Ye shall have just

H6664

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

וּבַת5 of 8

bath

H1324

a bath or hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids

צֶ֖דֶק6 of 8

Ye shall have just

H6664

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

יְהִ֥י7 of 8
H1961

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

לָכֶֽם׃8 of 8
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 45:10 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 Ezekiel 45:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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