King James Version

What Does Leviticus 19:36 Mean?

Leviticus 19:36 in the King James Version says “Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. weights: Heb. stones”

Leviticus 19:36 · KJV

Context

34

But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

35

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

36

Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. weights: Heb. stones

37

Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.

Read Leviticus 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

This verse falls within the section on Various Laws of Holiness. Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18).


Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18). Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  2. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  3. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
מֹ֧אזְנֵי1 of 18

“balances”

H3976

(only in the dual) a pair of scales

צֶ֖דֶק2 of 18

“Just”

H6664

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

אַבְנֵי3 of 18

“weights”

H68

a stone

צֶ֖דֶק4 of 18

“Just”

H6664

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

אֵ֥יפַת5 of 18

“ephah”

H374

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

צֶ֖דֶק6 of 18

“Just”

H6664

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

וְהִ֥ין7 of 18

“hin”

H1969

a hin or liquid measure

צֶ֖דֶק8 of 18

“Just”

H6664

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

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה9 of 18
H1961

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

לָכֶ֑ם10 of 18
H0
אֲנִי֙11 of 18
H589

i

יְהוָ֣ה12 of 18

“shall ye have I am the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם13 of 18

“your 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

אֲשֶׁר14 of 18
H834

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

הוֹצֵ֥אתִי15 of 18

“which brought you out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶתְכֶ֖ם16 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ17 of 18

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃18 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Leviticus 19:36 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 Leviticus 19:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 20:2Proverbs 11:1Proverbs 20:10Deuteronomy 25:13-15

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Leviticus 19 →

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