Overview
The Bible addresses weights across 33 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Genesis and Exodus. Closely related themes include Measures, Dishonesty, Honesty and Money. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Abraham, Ephron and David.
Key Bible verses about weights
Old Testament
Genesis
And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; earring: or, jewel for the forehead
And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
Exodus
This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD.
And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:
Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.
Leviticus
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
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
And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.
Deuteronomy
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. divers: Heb. a stone and a stone
Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. divers: Heb. an ephah and an ephah
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.
2 Samuel
And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance. in great: Heb. very great
And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
Nehemiah
And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments. some: Heb. part.
And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.
Job
Proverbs
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. A false: Heb. Balances of deceit just: Heb. perfect stone
A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. the weights: Heb. the stones
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. Divers weights: Heb. A stone and a stone divers measures: Heb. an ephah and an ephah
Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. a false: Heb. balance of deceit
Ezekiel
And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it.
Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:
And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.
Micah
Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? Are: or, Is there yet unto every man an house of the, etc scant: Heb. measure of leanness
Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? count: or, be pure with, etc
New Testament
People in the Bible and weights
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying weights for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 23:16, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Proverbs, Genesis and Exodus each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Abraham, Ephron and David and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Measures, Dishonesty, Honesty and Money.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about weights?
The Bible addresses weights across 33 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Genesis and Exodus. Closely related themes include Measures, Dishonesty, Honesty and Money. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Abraham, Ephron and David.
How many Bible verses are about weights?
The Bible references weights in 33 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention weights?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 23:16: “And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with weights?
Abraham, Ephron and David.
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