Leviticus 19:35 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Use fair standards in judgment and in commerce; be honest in weights and measures.
The Context of Leviticus 19:35
Returns to the theme of commercial justice and honest dealing.
What Does Leviticus 19:35 Mean?
A meteyard was a measuring stick; the command addresses honesty in all forms of measurement—distance, weight, volume. Dishonest scales and measurements were tools of fraud, particularly dangerous to the poor who depended on fair dealing. This law protects economic justice.
The repetition of the justice theme shows its centrality to holiness. Righteousness in commerce is not separate from righteousness in judgment; both flow from the same commitment to truth and fairness. A holy community must be one where no one is cheated.
Leviticus 19:35 in the Original Language
ephah (אֵפָה), 'measure' — a standard dry measure, roughly a bushel; one of the key units for grain and produce.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 19:35
What does Leviticus 19:35 mean?
Use fair standards in judgment and in commerce; be honest in weights and measures.
What is the context of Leviticus 19:35?
Returns to the theme of commercial justice and honest dealing.