Lexical Summary qaveh: Line, cord, measuring line Original Word: קָוֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance line From qavah; a (measuring) cord (as if for binding) -- line. see HEBREW qavah Topical Lexicon Term and Scope קָוֶה (qaveh) denotes a “measuring line,” the cord used by builders and surveyors to establish dimensions, boundaries, and symmetry. In the Hebrew canon it functions both literally, in architectural description, and figuratively, in prophetic assurance of divine order and restoration. Scriptural Occurrences • 1 Kings 7:23 – Solomon’s craftsmen employed a qaveh to verify that “a line of thirty cubits encircled” the bronze Sea, underscoring care, precision, and excellence in the house of the Lord. Historical and Architectural Significance Temple builders worked without modern instruments; the qaveh was indispensable. Its use in 1 Kings 7:23 reveals advanced engineering and a commitment to proportionality that reflected the perfection of God whom the Temple served. The cord ensured that every dimension submitted to a standard outside human whim—a physical illustration of living under divine authority. Prophetic Function Jeremiah and Zechariah move the word from workmanship to eschatological promise. Desolation had left Jerusalem in ruins, yet the same line once used in Solomon’s day would revisit the city, not for demolition but for reconstruction. The imagery affirms: 1. Precision – God’s restoration is as exact as His judgment. Theological Themes Order and Holiness: Measuring implies assessment; nothing escapes divine scrutiny. Restoration and Hope: Stretching the line over ruined spaces showcases God’s resolve to redeem what sin has marred. Boundaries and Liberty: While the line sets limits, it simultaneously defines the area within which covenant life flourishes. Typological and Eschatological Echoes Revelation 11:1 and Revelation 21:15 portray a similar instrument measuring the temple and the New Jerusalem. The qaveh thus foreshadows final realities where God dwells with His people in perfect dimensions, proportions, and harmony. Ministry Applications • Preaching: Employ the qaveh motif to illustrate that rebuilding lives or congregations must align with God’s revealed pattern, not cultural trends. Christological Reflection The ultimate qaveh is the incarnate Word. Jesus Christ is both the standard and the Builder, ensuring that every stone—“living stones” (1 Peter 2:5)—finds its ordained place in the spiritual house God is raising. Summary קָוֶה unites craftsmanship, prophecy, and eschatology. Whether circling a bronze basin or outlining the New Jerusalem, it proclaims a God who measures, orders, restores, and perfects—all according to His unwavering word. Forms and Transliterations וְקָ֥ו וְקָו֙ וקו קָ֤ו קו Kav qāw veKav wə·qāw wəqāwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 7:23 HEB: [וּקְוֵה כ] (וְקָו֙ ק) שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים NAS: and thirty cubits in circumference. INT: cubits height line and thirty cubits Jeremiah 31:39 Zechariah 1:16 3 Occurrences |
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