balance Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
balance in Easton's Bible Dictionary
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.
balance in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
The emblem of justice (Job 31:6; Psalm 62:9; Proverbs 11:1) the test of truth and honesty. The emblem of scarcity, food being weighed out Revelation 6:5). Mozenaim, "double scales" (Genesis 23:16). Qaneh, "the beam of a balance" (Isaiah 46:6). Peles, "scales" (Isaiah 40:12): literally, "the beam", or else the aperture in which the tongue or beam moves.