Proverbs 20:10

20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures 1  –

the Lord abhors 2  both of them.

Proverbs 20:23

20:23 The Lord abhors 3  differing weights,

and dishonest scales are wicked. 4 

1 tn The construction simply uses repetition to express different kinds of weights and measures: “a stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah.”

2 tn Heb “an abomination of the Lord.” The phrase features a subjective genitive: “the Lord abhors.”

sn Behind this proverb is the image of the dishonest merchant who has different sets of weights and measures which are used to cheat customers. The Lord hates dishonesty in business transactions.

3 tn Heb “an abomination of the Lord.” This expression features a subjective genitive: “the Lord abhors.”

4 tn Heb “not good.” This is a figure known as tapeinosis – a deliberate understatement to emphasize a worst-case scenario: “it is wicked!” (e.g., 11:1; 20:10).