Leviticus 19:35-36 - Exposition

These verses, beginning with the same words as Leviticus 19:15 , Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment , contain another and wider application of that principle. Leviticus 19:15 prohibited unrighteousness in the judge, or in one who was in the position of a judge; these verses forbid it in merchants and tradesmen. It is the more necessary to condemn dishonesty, in unmistakable terms, as men who make a profession of religion, and therefore would be shocked at stealing, have often less scruple in cheating. Here and in Deuteronomy, where the Law is repeated, a religious sanction is given to the command; "For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God" ( Deuteronomy 25:16 ). Cf. Proverbs 11:1 , "A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight;" and Proverbs 20:10 , "Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord;" see also Micah 6:10 , Micah 6:11 and Ezekiel 45:10 .