Proverbs 20:10

20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures 1  –

the Lord abhors 2  both of them.

Proverbs 20:23

20:23 The Lord abhors 3  differing weights,

and dishonest scales are wicked. 4 

1 tn The construction simply uses repetition to express different kinds of weights and measures: “a stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah.”

2 tn Heb “an abomination of the Lord.” The phrase features a subjective genitive: “the Lord abhors.”

3 tn Heb “an abomination of the Lord.” This expression features a subjective genitive: “the Lord abhors.”

4 tn Heb “not good.” This is a figure known as tapeinosis – a deliberate understatement to emphasize a worst-case scenario: “it is wicked!” (e.g., 11:1; 20:10).