The Meaning of Proverbs 20:23 Explained

Proverbs 20:23

KJV: Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

YLT: An abomination to Jehovah are a stone and a stone, And balances of deceit are not good.

Darby: Divers weights are an abomination unto Jehovah; and a false balance is not good.

ASV: Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; And a false balance is not good.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Divers weights  [are] an abomination  unto the LORD;  and a false  balance  [is] not good. 

What does Proverbs 20:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 20:16-30 - "the Glory Of Young Men"
What a wonderful thought is given in Proverbs 20:27! We stand like a row of unlighted candles until God's Spirit kindles us. Has the Divine Nature ever bent over your nature, communicating to it its glow and fire? If so, be very careful that no puff of wind shall extinguish that sacred spark; and see that it is supplied with the daily nutriment it requires. The whole paragraph seems to indicate the clear shining of this light, which must not be hidden under a bushel, but placed on the stand, that it may give light to all who come in. So let your light shine that men may admire neither the lamp-stand nor the wick, but the glory of the light of God radiating from you.
Such a soul will be true, Proverbs 20:17; will be wise, Proverbs 20:18; will eschew tale-bearing and flattery, Proverbs 20:19; will honor the parents that gave it birth, Proverbs 20:20; will win a good inheritance by patient industry, Proverbs 20:21; will wait on the salvation of God, Proverbs 20:22; will accept God's guidance, Proverbs 20:24; will follow mercy and truth, Proverbs 20:28; will be strong, and pure, and faithful. Such should be the glory of all young men and maidens if their old age shall be beautiful, Proverbs 20:29. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 20

1  Proper Living

What do the individual words in Proverbs 20:23 mean?

An abomination to Yahweh Differing and [Diverse] weights [are] and scales [are] dishonest not good
תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הוָה אֶ֣בֶן וָאָ֑בֶן וּמֹאזְנֵ֖י מִרְמָ֣ה לֹא־ טֽוֹב

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת  An  abomination  to 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: תֹּועֵבָה  
Sense: a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable.
יְ֭הוָה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֶ֣בֶן  Differing 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶבֶן  
Sense: stone (large or small).
וָאָ֑בֶן  and  [Diverse]  weights  [are] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶבֶן  
Sense: stone (large or small).
וּמֹאזְנֵ֖י  and  scales  [are] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, mdc
Root: מֹאזְנַיִם  
Sense: scales, balances.
מִרְמָ֣ה  dishonest 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִרְמָה  
Sense: deceit, treachery.
טֽוֹב  good 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.

What are the major concepts related to Proverbs 20:23?

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