Encyclopedia entry
Balance
Occurs in Lev. 19:36 and Isa. 46:6, as the rendering of the Hebrew kanch’, which properly means “a reed” or “a cane,” then a rod or beam of a balance. This same word is translated “measuring reed” in Ezek. 40:3, 5; 42:16-18. There is another Hebrew word, mozena’yim, i.e., “two poisers”, also so rendered (Dan. 5:27). The balances as represented on the most ancient Egyptian monuments resemble those now in use. A “pair of balances” is a symbol of justice and fair dealing (Job 31:6; Ps. 62:9; Prov. 11:1). The expression denotes great want and scarcity in Rev. 6:5.
In the Bible
9
Verses where Balance is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- Isaiah 40:12
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?
- Isaiah 40:15
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered a speck of dust on the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust.
- Isaiah 46:6
They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship.
- Job 31:6
let God weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity.
- Leviticus 25:27
he shall calculate the years since its sale, repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it, and return to his property.
- Proverbs 11:1
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
+3 more verses naming Balance.
Scripture on Balance
12
Voices on Balance
13
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.