Quranic root
وزن
w · z · n
The root centers on adjusting and determining a thing's measure, yielding balance, proportion, and fair assessment.
From weighing and the amount measured, the lexical field extends to physical equilibrium, proportionate creation, equitable judgment, and soundness of opinion; isolated technical usages are also recorded.
- Maqāyīs · row 5099
- Mufradāt · row 1572
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 7
- Quran senses
- 23
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
وَزَنَ
wazana
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 3 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To weigh something; to determine its amount, measure, or weight.
The Quranic imperative is used for weighing in commercial dealings. In وَزَنُوهُمْ, the construction means to weigh something for or on behalf of them; the construction itself does not make the verb mean to cheat.
- Mufradāt · row 1572
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:35word 5
“and weigh”
Quran 83:3word 4
“they weigh (for) them”
مِيزَان
mīzān
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 16 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A weighing instrument: a balance, scale, or pair of scales; also the weight or measure of a thing.
The noun can refer literally to an instrument used for weighing or to the weight determined by it. The Quranic form group includes both singular and plural surface forms under this citation.
- Lane · entry 30481
- Mufradāt · row 1572
Selected Quran examples
Quran 6:152word 14
“and the weight”
A balance or standard of just assessment by which people or their deeds are reckoned.
In moral and eschatological contexts, مِيزَان and مَوَازِين refer to the balance or balances of justice. The singular and plural are explained in relation to the reckoner or reckoners being considered.
- Mufradāt · row 1572
Selected Quran examples
Quran 55:7word 4
“the balance”
Quran 21:47word 2
“the scales”
مَوْزُون
mawzūn
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Measured, proportioned, or well-balanced.
In 15:19, the expression describes what is brought forth from the earth. It has been interpreted either specifically of measured substances such as metals or more broadly of all things created in due proportion.
- Mufradāt · row 1572
Selected Quran examples
Quran 15:19word 11
“well-balanced”
وَزْن
wazn
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 3 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Weighing; the determination of a thing's amount, measure, or weight.
The Quranic weighing expressions may concern physical measure and may also serve as the basis for an equitable standard.
- Mufradāt · row 1572
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:8word 1
“And the weighing”
Equitable measure or just assessment in conduct and reckoning.
The weighing is explicitly extended to observing fairness in human actions and speech, and to just accounting for people; this accounts for translations involving justice or fairness.
- Mufradāt · row 1572
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:8word 1
“And the weighing”
Quran 55:9word 2
“the weight”
Weight, worth, or significance assigned in reckoning.
In the negative expression concerning the Day of Resurrection, having no weight means having no recognized value or significance.
- Mufradāt · row 1572
Selected Quran examples
Quran 18:105word 14
“any weight”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 6:152وَٱلْمِيزَانَand the weight
- 7:8وَٱلْوَزْنُAnd the weighing
- 7:8مَوَٰزِينُهُۥhis scales
- 7:9مَوَٰزِينُهُۥhis scales
- 7:85وَٱلْمِيزَانَand the weight
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 10 Classical meanings
وَزَنَ
To be heavy, outweigh, or preponderate.
- Lane · entry 30474
وَازَنَ
To be equal in weight with, or equiponderant to, something.
Used in the construction of one thing being equiponderant with another.
- Lane · entry 30475
اِتَّزَنَهُ
To take or receive something by weight.
A Form VIII construction with the thing taken or received as its object.
- Lane · entry 30476
الوَزْنُ
A star in the left foreleg of Centaurus.
A specialized astronomical name.
- Lane · entry 30477
وَازِنٌ
Having full weight; heavy or complete in weight.
It may describe a full-weight or heavy dirham and, more generally, something of full weight.
- Lane · entry 30479
وَزَّانٌ
A person who weighs things; a weigher.
- Lane · entry 30480
مِيزَان
In the expression قام مِيزَانُ النَّهَارِ, the midpoint of the day; midday.
A conventional expression for the day reaching its midpoint.
- Mufradāt · row 1572
- Maqāyīs · row 5099
وَزِينٌ
Balanced or sound in judgment; of an opinion, moderate and well-considered.
It may be attributed to a person in connection with weighty judgment and strength of intellect.
- Maqāyīs · row 5099
وَزِينٌ
Prepared or kneaded colocynth used as food.
An isolated, expressly exceptional lexical usage.
- Maqāyīs · row 5099
وَزْن
A chunk or lump of dates.
An isolated lexical usage reported for a piece of dates.
- Maqāyīs · row 5099
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
مِيزَان may denote a literal weighing instrument or weight, and in Quranic moral and eschatological contexts a just standard of assessment; context determines the appropriate English rendering.
The interpretation of مَوْزُون in 15:19 is reported both specifically for measured substances and broadly for creation made in due proportion.