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מֹאזֵן

𐤌𐤀𐤆𐤍

môʼzên

H3976 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אזן to weigh, to balance, to listen (in broader root usage)

Definition

A weighing instrument; specifically, a device for determining the weight of items by balancing them against standardized weights. Most commonly appears as a dual form (indicating two-pans), referring to a pair of scales or balances. In biblical usage, denotes not only the physical object but also serves as a symbol of justice, equity, commercial integrity, and fairness in transactions.

Semantic Range

pair of scales, balances (instrument), symbol of justice or equity, mechanism for weighing in commerce, metaphor for moral assessment

Root / Etymology

From the root אָזַן (ʾ-z-n), which primarily means 'to weigh' or 'to give ear, listen' in other forms. The noun מֹאזֵן (môʼzên) is specifically derived as the instrument used for weighing; its formation in dual points to the typical two-pan design of ancient balances.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מֹאזֵן is attested primarily in poetic or wisdom literature and legal contexts, such as Proverbs and prophetic literature, where scales symbolize justice and fair dealing (e.g., Proverbs 11:1, 'A false balance is an abomination to YHWH'). The instrument was fundamental to commerce in ancient Israel and the broader ancient Near East, reflecting standard practice in trade and market regulation. Compared to related terms such as מִשְׁקָל (weight, measure by weight), מֹאזֵן focuses on the mechanism of weighing rather than the weight itself. In later periods, the term comes to be associated metaphorically with assessment or judgment. Standard English translations typically use 'balances' or 'scales,' which correspond well to the instrument's function, but may not always capture its symbolic resonance of moral evaluation in Hebrew literature. The word is not used to describe coinage or monetary systems but rather the tools for honest measurement.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָזַן; (only in the dual) a pair of scales; balances.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אזן (ʾ-z-n) — to weigh, to balance, to listen

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H238 אָזַן I will cause to listen
H239 אָזַן and he listened attentively
H240 אָזֵן your broad-blade
H241 אֹזֶן their ear
H244 אׇזְנִי the Oznite

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3976-04 מֹ֧אזְנֵי mozeney HNcmdc just balances pair of scales of 6
H3976-01 בְּ/מֹאזְנָֽיִם bemozenayim HR/Ncmda in the balances in paired scales 4
H3976-05 וּ/מֹאזְנֵ֣י umozeney HC/Ncmdc and scales and weighing-scales of 2
H3976-02 בְּ/מֹ֣אזְנֵי bemozeney HR/Ncmdc with scales in weighing-scales of 1
H3976-06 בְ/מֹאזְנֵי vemozeney HR/Ncmdc in balances of in balances of 1
H3976-03 מֹאזְנַ֖יִם mozenayim HNcmda on the scales pair of balance-scales 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3976-04 Leviticus 19:36 מֹ֧אזְנֵי mozeney HNcmdc just balances pair of scales of
H3976-01 Isaiah 40:12 בְּ/מֹאזְנָֽיִם bemozenayim HR/Ncmda in a balance in paired scales
H3976-03 Isaiah 40:15 מֹאזְנַ֖יִם mozenayim HNcmda on the scales pair of balance-scales
H3976-01 Jeremiah 32:10 בְּ/מֹאזְנָֽיִם bemozenayim HR/Ncmda in the scales in paired scales
H3976-04 Ezekiel 5:1 מֹאזְנֵ֥י mozeney HNcmdc balances pair of scales of
H3976-04 Ezekiel 45:10 מֹֽאזְנֵי mozeney HNcmdc just balances pair of scales of
H3976-04 Hosea 12:8 מֹאזְנֵ֥י mozeney HNcmdc scales pair of scales of
H3976-04 Amos 8:5 מֹאזְנֵ֥י mozeney HNcmdc the balances pair of scales of
H3976-02 Micah 6:11 בְּ/מֹ֣אזְנֵי bemozeney HR/Ncmdc with scales in weighing-scales of
H3976-01 Psalms 62:10 בְּ/מֹאזְנַ֥יִם bemozenayim HR/Ncmda in-balances in paired scales
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