Page 239 - Foundations

Libra

Raymond Capt, in the book The Glory of the Stars, provides the following information on this, the
second of the constellations.

In Greek mythology, Libra represented the balances of Astraea, the Goddess of Justice, in which the
fate of all mortal men must be weighed. The Egyptians identified Libra with the scale beam by means
of which they measured the Nile flood. Sometimes they also associated it with the scales in which the
human heart is to be weighed after death, the scales of justice. In India, Libra was also known as a
balance, shown in their zodiac as a kneeling man holding up a pair of scales.

The scales convey the idea of purchase, and the names of this sign indicate the range of meaning
attached to it. In Hebrew it is called “Monazanaim,” meaning “the scales, weighing”; in Arabic, “Al
Zubena,” meaning “purchase” or “redemption.” In Coptic, “Lambadia,” meaning “station of
propitiation.

The scales in ancient times were used for purchasing goods. Paper money was unknown, as the
ancients dealt in coins, usually of bronze, silver, or gold. These coins were often cut imperfectly, and
individuals would at times trim pieces off of them as a form of skimming, or defrauding, the person
with whom they were conducting business. For this and other reasons, it was common to weigh out
monetary transactions. This way a seller could be insured that he was getting the full amount of
bronze, silver, or gold that he was due. Of course, it was also important to insure that the weights that
were used in the scales to weigh against the coin, were true weights, neither too light, nor too heavy.
The Bible makes frequent mention of using scales to transact business.

Proverbs 16:11
Honest weights and scales are Yahweh's; All the weights in the bag are His work.

Jeremiah 32:9-10
So I bought the field from Hanamel, the son of my uncle who was in Anathoth, and weighed out to
him the money - seventeen shekels of silver. And I signed the deed and sealed it, took witnesses, and
weighed the money on the scales.