What Does Proverbs 11:1 Mean in the King James?
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The measure itself reveals the hand behind it: deception fractures wholeness, while a complete measure delights the LORD.
THE MEANING
Your dealings stand in the LORD’s regard: a measure shaped to deceive is abhorrent, while a complete measure is his delight. Wholeness shows in the honesty of what you give and receive.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A little hidden dishonesty is harmless if no one notices. This verse calls the deceptive measure abhorrent to the LORD, leaving concealment no shelter.
THE ROOT
שְׁלֵמָה
shelemah
GROWS FROM
ש־ל־ם
sh-l-m
To be whole, complete, or intact.
The Hebrew describes the weight as complete: its wholeness is part of what makes it just. The same root reaches into words for wholeness and for making good what is owed, so an honest measure is more than accurate, it leaves nothing crooked or missing.
ALSO GROWS
shalom: Wholeness, well-being.
שָׁלוֹם
The shared root links a complete weight with wholeness: truthful measure helps keep dealings whole.
shillem: Repaid, made good, or recompensed.
שִׁלֵּם
This branch carries the sense of settling what is due; a complete measure gives what is owed without secretly withholding.
THE PATTERN
The measure used in a transaction reveals the integrity of the dealings and returns as a measure in kind.
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.A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.THE THREAD
A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.Both verses use the same Hebrew word for balances, מאזְנַיִם (moznayim), meaning scales. Proverbs 16:11 opens this verse further: the weights in the bag are the LORD’s work, so the measure used in private dealings sits within his regard.
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