Jerusalem: Archaeologists find “cheat weight” from First Temple era

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Archaeologists excavating in Jerusalem’s Old City have unearthed a weight that was likely used to cheat traders some 2,700 years ago in the First Temple period, the Jerusalem Post (JP) reports.

Made of limestone, the weight is only the second of its kind to have been unearthed in Israel, JP reports. It is14 mm. in diameter and 12 mm. in height, and is engraved to show it weighs two gerahs (0.944 grams). However, the weight is actually more than three times heavier than it claims to be, weighing around 3.61 grams.

According to Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Eli Shukron and Hagai Cohen Kolonimus, the discrepancy likely indicates the weight was used to cheat customers. Such a practice is described in the Bible: “Do not have two differing weights in your bag – one heavy, one light,” Deuteronomy 25:13-16 says. “Do not have two differing measures in your house – one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.”

Another example is found in Leviticus 19:36, which reads: “The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not p“Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.”

The excavation findings will be published in full on Friday, as part of the book of the City of David Research Conference of the Megalim Institute, JP said.

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