Mo'zen (מֹאזֶן) refers to balance scales — the ancient instrument of measurement and justice. Typically appearing in the dual form mozna'im (a pair of scales), it represents the fundamental tool of commerce and law. Accurate scales were commanded by God; false scales were abomination. The image of scales pervades the wisdom literature as a symbol of divine justice and human accountability.
The scales of mo'zen carry moral weight throughout Scripture. Proverbs declares that 'honest scales and balances belong to the LORD' (16:11). Job boldly invites God to weigh him: 'Let God weigh me in honest scales' (31:6). Daniel's vision applies this directly: 'TEKEL — you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting' (5:27). From commerce to eschatology, the balance scales represent accountability before a God who measures with perfect justice.
Isaiah's vision of God weighing mountains on mo'zen (40:12) transforms the image from commerce to cosmology — the same God who demands honest scales in the marketplace holds the universe itself in perfect balance. Revelation 6:5 (the rider with scales) draws on this tradition: divine justice measuring out scarcity and abundance. The scales are always God's.