Job 31:6
Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.
Original Language Analysis
יִשְׁקְלֵ֥נִי
Let me be weighed
H8254
יִשְׁקְלֵ֥נִי
Let me be weighed
Strong's:
H8254
Word #:
1 of 6
to suspend or poise (especially in trade)
צֶ֑דֶק
in an even
H6664
צֶ֑דֶק
in an even
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
3 of 6
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
Cross References
Daniel 5:27TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.Matthew 7:23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.1 Samuel 2:3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.Isaiah 26:7The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.Psalms 139:23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:Psalms 1:6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.Job 6:2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!Proverbs 16:11A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.Joshua 22:22The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)Micah 6:11Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern imagery frequently used balances/scales for judgment (Egyptian afterlife judgment weighed hearts against feather of truth). Biblical imagery similarly employs weighing for divine judgment (Daniel 5:27). Job's invitation for God to weigh him demonstrates confidence—unlike his friends who assume divine weighing already condemned him. The passage anticipates final judgment when God will weigh all and vindicate the righteous.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Job's invitation for divine weighing teach about the confidence a clear conscience brings?
- How should the reality of final judgment affect our daily lives and moral choices?
Analysis & Commentary
Job requests: 'Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.' The phrase mo'znei-tsedeq (מֹאזְנֵי־צֶדֶק, even balance) refers to honest, accurate scales. Shakal (שָׁקַל, weighed) means to weigh out or measure. Job invites divine assessment, confident in his innocence. The phrase 'that God may know' uses yada (יָדַע, know), not implying God lacks knowledge but expressing confidence that divine examination will vindicate. Tummah (תֻּמָּה, integrity) means completeness or innocence. Job's confidence in divine scrutiny demonstrates clear conscience.