"... 'treacherous scales' For a similar comment on Israelite merchants, see Amos 8. Verse 9 follows verse 8 in uncovering the dishonest business practices by which Ephraim became rich. This is comparable to Jacob's reputation, and the reference to scales is symbolic of crooked dealing. Ephraim's sin has two aspects; he is greedy and dishonest. He acquired wealth by fraudulent means. Verses 8 and 9 explain what is meant by verse 1, as the repetition of the word mirmd shows. This is his moral-ethical failure. Verse 12 explains his religio-cultic failure. Between these two accusations comes a reminder of Yahweh's kindly dealings from the Exodus down through a long line of prophets. The juxtaposition of the ethical and the religious is typical of Israelite prophecy, and so is a concrete expression like 'treacherous scales,' which identifies a physical instrument of human wickedness, focusing on sin as act and not just disposition. The opposite is the 'balances of sedeq' accurate scales (Leviticus 19:36; Ezekiel 45:10; Job 31:6). The use of such expressions in Wisdom literature, for example, Proverbs 11:1; 20:23, can make them a symbol of any kind of dishonesty. Amos's use of the same phrase (Amos 8:5) points to business practices; it is not just a general symbol ..."