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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Micah 6:11 Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/micah/6-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/33_Mic_06_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Micah 6:11 - The Punishment of Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/micah/6-10.htm" title="Micah 6:10">◄</a> Micah 6:11 <a href="/micah/6-12.htm" title="Micah 6:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/micah/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/micah/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/micah/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How can I tolerate your merchants who use dishonest scales and weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/micah/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/micah/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/micah/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Shall I count <i>them</i> pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/micah/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Shall I count pure <i>those</i> with the wicked scales, And with the bag of deceitful weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/micah/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Can I justify dishonest balances, And a bag of fraudulent weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/micah/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Can I justify wicked scales And a bag of deceptive weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/micah/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Can I justify wicked scales And a bag of deceptive weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/micah/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Can I purify wicked scales And a bag of deceptive weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/micah/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Can I [be guiltless and] justify deceptive scales And a bag of dishonest weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/micah/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can I excuse wicked scales or bags of deceptive weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/micah/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can I excuse wicked scales or bags of deceptive weights? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/micah/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall I be pure with wicked balances, and with a bag of deceitful weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/micah/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But I, the LORD, will punish you for cheating with weights and with measures. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/micah/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Shall I be pure with wicked balances, and with a bag of deceitful weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/micah/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I cannot tolerate dishonest scales and bags filled with inaccurate weights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/micah/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How can I forgive those who use false scales and weights? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/micah/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Will I tolerate those who maintain deceptive standards and who use deceitful weights in their business? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/micah/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/micah/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I do not condone the use of rigged scales, or a bag of deceptive weights. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/micah/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Shall I be pure with dishonest scales, and with a bag of deceitful weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/micah/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/micah/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Shall I tolerate dishonest scales, and a bag of deceitful weights? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/micah/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do I reckon [it] pure with balances of wickedness? And with a bag of deceitful stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/micah/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Do I reckon it pure with balances of wickedness? And with a bag of deceitful stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/micah/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall I make clean with the balances of injustice, and with the bag of stones of deceit?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/micah/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Shall I justify wicked balances, and the deceitful weights of the bag? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/micah/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Shall I justify unfaithful balances, and the deceitful weighing of a small bag?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/micah/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Shall I acquit crooked scales, bags of false weights? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/micah/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Can I tolerate wicked scales and a bag of dishonest weights?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/micah/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />How can they justify themselves with the wicked scales and with the bag of deceitful weights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/micah/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />How would they be justified with a balance of evil and with a bag of the weights of deceit?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/micah/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Shall I be pure with wicked balances, And with a bag of deceitful weights?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/micah/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Shall the wicked be justified by the balanced, or deceitful weights in the bag,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/micah/6-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V9AM9A76_xQ?start=989" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/micah/6.htm">The Punishment of Israel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed? <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2135.htm" title="2135: ha·’ez·keh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To be clear, clean or pure. A primitive root; to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent.">Can I excuse</a> <a href="/hebrew/7562.htm" title="7562: re·ša‘ (N-ms) -- Wickedness. From rasha'; a wrong.">dishonest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3976.htm" title="3976: bə·mō·zə·nê (Prep-b:: N-mdc) -- Balances, scales. From 'azan; a pair of scales.">scales</a> <a href="/hebrew/3599.htm" title="3599: ū·ḇə·ḵîs (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Bag, purse. A form for kowc; a cup; also a bag for money or weights.">or bags</a> <a href="/hebrew/4820.htm" title="4820: mir·māh (N-fs) -- Deceit, treachery. From ramah in the sense of deceiving; fraud.">of false</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’aḇ·nê (N-fpc) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">weights?</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm">Proverbs 11:1</a></span><br />Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Leviticus 19:35-36</a></span><br />You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. / You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-13.htm">Deuteronomy 25:13-16</a></span><br />You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light. / You shall not have two differing measures in your house, one large and one small. / You must maintain accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5</a></span><br />asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Hosea 12:7</a></span><br />A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-10.htm">Proverbs 20:10</a></span><br />Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-23.htm">Proverbs 20:23</a></span><br />Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/45-10.htm">Ezekiel 45:10</a></span><br />You must use honest scales, a just ephah, and a just bath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-22.htm">Isaiah 1:22-23</a></span><br />Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water. / Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26-29</a></span><br />For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/5-8.htm">Zechariah 5:8-11</a></span><br />“This is Wickedness,” he said. And he shoved her down into the basket, pushing down the lead cover over its opening. / Then I lifted up my eyes and saw two women approaching, with the wind in their wings. Their wings were like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth. / “Where are they taking the basket?” I asked the angel who was speaking with me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-10.htm">Luke 16:10</a></span><br />Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a></span><br />Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:6</a></span><br />and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?</p><p class="hdg">count them pure.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Hosea 12:7</a></b></br> <i>He is</i> a merchant, the balances of deceit <i>are</i> in his hand: he loveth to oppress.</p><p class="hdg">the bag.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/16-11.htm">Proverbs 16:11</a></b></br> A just weight and balance <i>are</i> the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag <i>are</i> his work.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Acquit</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Bag</a> <a href="/amos/8-5.htm">Balances</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-26.htm">Count</a> <a href="/micah/1-14.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/micah/1-14.htm">Deceptive</a> <a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Dishonest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-51.htm">Justify</a> <a href="/amos/6-12.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/micah/5-15.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/amos/8-6.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-26.htm">Reckon</a> <a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Scales</a> <a href="/micah/5-13.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-13.htm">Unjust</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-23.htm">Weights</a> <a href="/micah/6-10.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/micah/6-10.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/micah/3-10.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Acquit</a> <a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Bag</a> <a href="/revelation/6-5.htm">Balances</a> <a href="/luke/1-48.htm">Count</a> <a href="/micah/6-12.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Deceptive</a> <a href="/luke/16-8.htm">Dishonest</a> <a href="/luke/10-29.htm">Justify</a> <a href="/matthew/7-18.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/micah/6-13.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Reckon</a> <a href="/acts/9-18.htm">Scales</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-2.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-9.htm">Unjust</a> <a href="/matthew/23-4.htm">Weights</a> <a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/nahum/1-11.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/nahum/1-2.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Micah 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/6-1.htm">God's punishment for ingratitude;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/6-6.htm">for ignorance,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/6-10.htm">for injustice;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/6-16.htm">and for idolatry.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/micah/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/micah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/micah/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Can I excuse dishonest scales</b><br>This phrase addresses the issue of integrity in business practices, a common theme in the prophetic books. In ancient Israel, scales were used in trade to measure goods accurately. Dishonest scales symbolize corruption and deceit, which God condemns. The Law of Moses explicitly forbids such practices (<a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Leviticus 19:35-36</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/25-13.htm">Deuteronomy 25:13-16</a>), emphasizing God's demand for honesty and fairness. This reflects God's character as just and righteous, and His expectation that His people reflect these attributes in their dealings.<p><b>or bags of false weights?</b><br>False weights were used to cheat customers, a practice that was prevalent in ancient marketplaces. This phrase highlights the broader issue of economic injustice and exploitation. <a href="/proverbs/11.htm">Proverbs 11:1 and 20</a>:23 also condemn false weights, showing that this was a recurring problem. The use of "bags" suggests premeditated deceit, as merchants would carry different sets of weights to manipulate transactions. This imagery serves as a metaphor for the moral and spiritual corruption that God is addressing through the prophet Micah. It also foreshadows the New Testament teachings of Jesus, who emphasized honesty and integrity in all aspects of life (<a href="/matthew/7-12.htm">Matthew 7:12</a>; <a href="/luke/6-31.htm">Luke 6:31</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/micah.htm">Micah</a></b><br>A prophet in the 8th century BC, Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. His messages were directed towards both Israel and Judah, focusing on social justice and true worship.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, where Micah primarily directed his prophecies. During Micah's time, Judah was experiencing social and economic injustices, which the prophet condemned.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/dishonest_scales_and_false_weights.htm">Dishonest Scales and False Weights</a></b><br>These are metaphors for deceit and corruption in business practices. In ancient times, scales and weights were used in trade, and dishonest measures were a way to cheat others.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_standard_of_justice.htm">God's Standard of Justice</a></b><br>God demands honesty and integrity in all aspects of life, including business and trade. Dishonest practices are not just a social issue but a spiritual one, as they reflect a heart that is not aligned with God's righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_corruption.htm">The Consequences of Corruption</a></b><br>Corruption and deceit lead to societal decay. When individuals and businesses engage in dishonest practices, it erodes trust and justice, leading to broader societal harm.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_integrity.htm">Personal Integrity</a></b><br>As Christians, we are called to live with integrity in all areas of life. This includes being honest in our dealings, whether in business, personal relationships, or any other area.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>If we find ourselves guilty of dishonest practices, God calls us to repentance. True repentance involves turning away from sin and making restitution where possible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_character.htm">Reflecting God's Character</a></b><br>Our actions should reflect God's character. By living honestly and justly, we bear witness to God's righteousness and justice in the world.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_micah_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Micah 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'fields_are_white'_mean.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on inflation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/micah_1_7_vs._other_views_on_idolatry.htm">Micah 1:7 – How does the text’s condemnation of idol worship align with other passages that appear to offer different perspectives or degrees of tolerance for pagan practices? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_proverbs_11_1_be_proven_scientifically.htm">Proverbs 11:1 states that the Lord detests dishonest scales--how can this moral stance be proven scientifically or historically?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_ancient_trade_accuracy.htm">Proverbs 20:10 condemns dishonest scales--what historical or archaeological evidence challenges or supports the accuracy of such transactions in ancient times?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/micah/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">Shall I count them pure</span>?--Rather, <span class= "ital">Can I be innocent with the deceitful balances?</span> The enactments about weights were very stringently expressed in the Law, both affirmatively and negatively: <span class= "ital">e.g.,</span> in <a href="/context/leviticus/19-35.htm" title="You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in length, in weight, or in measure.">Leviticus 19:35-36</a>, "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." And, "thou shalt not have in thy house divers weights," . . . and "divers measures, a great and small" (<a href="/context/deuteronomy/25-13.htm" title="You shall not have in your bag divers weights, a great and a small.">Deuteronomy 25:13-14</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/micah/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Shall I count them pure?</span> literally, <span class="accented">Shall I be pure?</span> The clause is obscure. The Authorized Version regards the speaker as the same as in ver. 10, and translates with some violence to the text. It may be that the prophet speaks as the representative of the awakened transgressor, "Can I be guiltless with such deceit about me?" But the sudden change of personification and of state of feeling is very harsh. Hence some follow Jerome in regarding God as the speaker, and rendering, "Shall I justify the wicked balance?" others, the Septuagint, Syriac, and Chaldee, <span class="greek">Αἰ</span> <span class="greek">δικαιωθήσεται ἐν ζυγῷ ἄνομος</span>; "Shall the wicked be justified by the balance?" Cheyne is inclined to read the verb in the second person, "Canst thou (O Jerusalem) be pure?" since in the next verse the prophet proceeds, "the rich men thereof" (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> of Jerusalem). If we retain the present reading, "Can I be innocent?" we must consider the question as put, for effect's sake, in the mouth of one of the rich oppressors. Jerome's translation is contrary to the use of the verb, which is always intransitive in kal. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/micah/6-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Can I excuse</span><br /><span class="heb">הַאֶזְכֶּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ha·’ez·keh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2135.htm">Strong's 2135: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be translucent, to be innocent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dishonest</span><br /><span class="heb">רֶ֑שַׁע</span> <span class="translit">(re·ša‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7562.htm">Strong's 7562: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wickedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">scales</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמֹ֣אזְנֵי</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mō·zə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - mdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3976.htm">Strong's 3976: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pair of scales</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or bags</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְכִ֖יס</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·ḵîs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3599.htm">Strong's 3599: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cup, a bag for, money, weights</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of false</span><br /><span class="heb">מִרְמָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(mir·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4820.htm">Strong's 4820: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deceit, treachery</span><br /><br /><span class="word">weights?</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/micah/6-11.htm">OT Prophets: Micah 6:11 Shall I be pure with dishonest scales (Mc Mic. Mi)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/micah/6-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Micah 6:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Micah 6:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/micah/6-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Micah 6:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Micah 6:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>