Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place. New Living Translation I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away. English Standard Version And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.” Berean Standard Bible I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place. King James Bible Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. New King James Version Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place. New American Standard Bible “I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the secret place. NASB 1995 “I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place. NASB 1977 “And I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the level; Then hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters shall overflow the secret place. Legacy Standard Bible I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of falsehood, And the waters will overflow the secret place. Amplified Bible “I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the mason’s level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And waters will flood over the secret [hiding] place. Christian Standard Bible And I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the mason’s level.” Hail will sweep away the false refuge, and water will flood your hiding place. Holman Christian Standard Bible And I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the mason’s level.” Hail will sweep away the false refuge, and water will flood your hiding place. American Standard Version And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place. Contemporary English Version Justice and fairness will be the measuring lines that help me build." Hailstones and floods will destroy and wash away your shelter of lies. English Revised Version And I will make judgment the line, and righteousness the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. GOD'S WORD® Translation I will make justice a measuring line and righteousness a plumb line. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and floodwaters will wash away your hiding place. Good News Translation Justice will be the measuring line for the foundation, and honesty will be its plumb line." Hailstorms will sweep away all the lies you depend on, and floods will destroy your security. International Standard Version And I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and floods will overflow your hiding place. NET Bible I will make justice the measuring line, fairness the plumb line; hail will sweep away the unreliable refuge, the floodwaters will overwhelm the hiding place. New Heart English Bible I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. Webster's Bible Translation Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place. World English Bible I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I have put judgment for a line, "" And righteousness for a plummet, "" And hail sweeps away the refuge of lies, "" And waters overflow the secret hiding place. Young's Literal Translation And I have put judgment for a line, And righteousness for a plummet, And sweep away doth hail the refuge of lies, And the secret hiding-place do waters overflow. Smith's Literal Translation And I set judgment to the line and justice to the weight: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of falsehood, and the waters shall overflow the covering. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I will set judgment in weight, and justice in measure: and hail shall overturn the hope of falsehood: and waters shall overflow its protection. Catholic Public Domain Version And I will establish judgment in weights, and justice in measures. And a hailstorm will overturn hope in what is false; and waters will inundate its protection. New American Bible I will make judgment a measuring line, and justice a level.— Hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters shall flood the hiding place. New Revised Standard Version And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I will make justice to the measuring line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I shall set judgment for measurement and righteousness to the scale, and hail shall beat the false hope and water shall overflow the refuge OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And I will make justice the line, And righteousness the plummet; And the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters shall overflow the hiding-place. Brenton Septuagint Translation And I will cause judgement to be for hope, and my compassion shall be for just measures, and ye that trust vainly in falsehood shall fall: for the storm shall by no means pass by you, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Cornerstone in Zion…16So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken. 17I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place. 18Your covenant with death will be dissolved, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be trampled by it.… Cross References Psalm 118:22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 1 Peter 2:6-8 For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” / To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” / and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed. Romans 9:33 as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Zechariah 10:4 The cornerstone will come from Judah, the tent peg from him, as well as the battle bow and every ruler together. Acts 4:11 This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ... Luke 20:17-18 But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? / Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” Isaiah 8:14-15 And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare. / Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be ensnared and captured.” Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken. Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?” Amos 7:7-8 This is what He showed me: Behold, the Lord was standing by a wall true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand. / “Amos, what do you see?” asked the LORD. “A plumb line,” I replied. “Behold,” said the Lord, “I am setting a plumb line among My people Israel; I will no longer spare them: Zechariah 4:7 What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Treasury of Scripture Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. judgment Isaiah 10:22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. 2 Kings 21:13 And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. Psalm 94:15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. and the hail Isaiah 28:2,15 Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand… Isaiah 25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Isaiah 32:2,18,19 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land… and the waters Isaiah 30:28 And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err. Job 22:16 Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood: Daniel 11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. Jump to Previous Appoint Covered Decision Flowing Hail Hiding Hiding-Place Ice-Storm Judgment Justice Level Line Measuring Measuring-Line Overflow Overwhelm Plumb Plummet Refuge Right Righteousness Safe Secret Sweep Water Waters Weight WordsJump to Next Appoint Covered Decision Flowing Hail Hiding Hiding-Place Ice-Storm Judgment Justice Level Line Measuring Measuring-Line Overflow Overwhelm Plumb Plummet Refuge Right Righteousness Safe Secret Sweep Water Waters Weight WordsIsaiah 28 1. The prophet threatens Ephraim for their pride and drunkenness5. The residue shall be advanced in the kingdom of Christ 7. He rebukes their error 9. Their unwillingness to learn 14. And their security 16. Christ the sure foundation is promised 17. Their security shall be tried 23. They are incited to the consideration of God's providence I will make justice the measuring line This phrase indicates God's standard for judgment. In ancient construction, a measuring line ensured structures were built correctly. Similarly, God's justice is the standard by which all actions are evaluated. This reflects the biblical theme that God is a just judge (Psalm 9:8). The imagery of a measuring line is also found in Amos 7:7-8, where God uses a plumb line to assess Israel's faithfulness. and righteousness the level Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies and water will flood your hiding place Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often warned by prophets like Isaiah to return to God and uphold justice and righteousness. 3. God The speaker in this verse, declaring His standards of justice and righteousness and the consequences of failing to adhere to them. 4. Hail and Water Symbolic elements used to describe God's judgment against falsehood and deceit. 5. Refuge of Lies Represents the false security and deceptive practices that the people of Judah relied upon instead of trusting in God. Teaching Points God's StandardsJustice and righteousness are non-negotiable standards set by God. They serve as the measuring line and plumb line for our lives. The Consequences of Deceit Relying on falsehoods and deceitful practices will ultimately lead to destruction, as symbolized by hail and water. Building on Truth Just as a building must be constructed with a true plumb line, our lives must be built on the truth of God's Word. Self-Examination Regularly examine your life against God's standards of justice and righteousness to ensure you are not building on a refuge of lies. Trust in God True security comes from trusting in God and His righteous standards, not in the deceptive practices of the world. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 28:17?2. How does Isaiah 28:17 define righteousness as a "measuring line" in our lives? 3. What does "justice as the plumb line" teach about God's standards? 4. How can we apply the concept of "hail will sweep away your refuge"? 5. Connect Isaiah 28:17's themes with Jesus' teachings on justice and righteousness. 6. How can we ensure our lives align with God's "measuring line" and "plumb line"? 7. How does Isaiah 28:17 define justice and righteousness in a modern context? 8. What is the significance of the "measuring line" and "plumb line" in Isaiah 28:17? 9. How does Isaiah 28:17 challenge our understanding of divine justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 28? 11. What does "plumb line" mean in the Bible? 12. What defines the concept of retribution theology? 13. Amos 7:7–9 – How can the vision of the plumb line be reconciled with the lack of physical artifacts or direct records of such an event? 14. How does the promise of a 'new name' for Jerusalem in Isaiah 62:2 reconcile with other biblical passages that describe unchanging divine names? What Does Isaiah 28:17 Mean Justice the measuring line“I will make justice the measuring line” (Isaiah 28:17a) • God speaks as the Master Builder, laying out His plumb line of justice so that every life and institution must align with His standards (see Amos 7:7-8). • This is not merely an abstract ideal but a concrete requirement: wrongs must be righted, innocence protected, oppression judged (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8). • By declaring that justice is the “measuring line,” the Lord reveals that anything out of true with His just character will be exposed and corrected, much as a builder straightens a wall that leans. • Psalm 89:14 says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne”; this verse in Isaiah shows the same foundation now applied to the people of Israel—and by extension to us—so that societal and personal conduct cannot deviate without consequence. Righteousness the level “and righteousness the level” (Isaiah 28:17b) • A level ensures a surface is even; God’s righteousness demands that every relationship, motive, and action be upright and balanced (Proverbs 11:1; 2 Samuel 23:3). • In the coming reign of Messiah, righteousness governs (Isaiah 11:4-5), but here the message is immediate: the people’s crooked ways will be tested against God’s perfectly level standard. • When hearts are right with Him, the “level” brings peace and stability (Isaiah 32:17). When hearts are crooked, the very instrument of righteousness exposes the tilt. • For believers today, Christ becomes our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30), enabling us to walk steadily rather than teeter under our own faulty alignment. Hail sweeping away the refuge of lies “Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies” (Isaiah 28:17c) • The leaders in Isaiah’s day trusted deceptive alliances and empty religious formalities (Isaiah 28:14-15). God pictures hail—sudden, hard, destructive—pounding those false shelters. • Hail often symbolizes divine judgment (Isaiah 30:30; Revelation 16:21). Its force strips away the flimsy coverings we use to hide sin or compromise. • Any worldview, tradition, or personal excuse that contradicts God’s Word is a “refuge of lies.” The storm of truth shatters them, leaving no hiding place (Job 38:22-23). • Jesus’ parable of the house on sand (Matthew 7:26-27) echoes this warning: impressive façades collapse when storms test their foundation. Water flooding the hiding place “and water will flood your hiding place.” (Isaiah 28:17d) • After the hail crushes, a flood rushes in—relentless, inescapable, overwhelming (Isaiah 8:7-8; Jeremiah 46:8). God’s judgment is thorough; it reaches every corner. • Water imagery also recalls the days of Noah, when only those inside God’s appointed ark survived (Matthew 24:38-39). Likewise, only those hidden in Christ remain secure when judgment comes (Colossians 3:3). • The verse exposes the futility of secret sins and underground plots; what is concealed will be uncovered and washed away (Luke 12:2-3). • Yet water can cleanse as well as destroy. For the repentant, the same flood becomes a picture of renewal (Ezekiel 36:25; John 7:38). summary Isaiah 28:17 sets God’s construction code over every life: justice is the plumb line, righteousness the level. Anything misaligned—no matter how cleverly hidden—faces hail and flood, images of swift and total judgment. Our only safe refuge is to build on the sure foundation God provides, aligning ourselves with His justice through faith in Christ and walking in His righteousness day by day. (17) Judgment also will I lay to the line . . .--Rather, I make judgment for a line, and righteousness for a plummet. The architectural imagery is continued. The "elect corner stone" shall come up to the standard of perfection, laid four-square (Revelation 21:16); and, therefore, should be the true place of refuge; while? the boast of the scorners, which the prophet repeats in the words that follow, should prove a false one. They would see their place of refuge swept away by the great waters. (Comp. Matthew 7:26-27.) Their treaty with death and Hades should be treated as null and void, They should be trampled under foot by the invading armies.Verse 17. - Judgment also will I lay to the line, said righteousness to the plummet; rather, justice also will I set for my rule, and righteousness for my plumb-line; i.e. I will execute justice and judgment on the earth with all strictness and exactness. The scorners had implied that, by their clever devices, they would escape the judgment of God (ver. 15). The hail (comp. ver. 2). The storm of Assyrian invasion will overwhelm Egypt, which is a "refuge of lies," false and untrustworthy (see the comment on ver. 15). The hiding-place. Mr. Cheyne adds, "of falsehood," supposing a word to have fallen out of the text. Such an addition seems almost required to complete the parallelism of the two clauses, and also for the balance between this verse and ver. 15.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I will makeוְשַׂמְתִּ֤י (wə·śam·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set justice מִשְׁפָּט֙ (miš·pāṭ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style the measuring line לְקָ֔ו (lə·qāw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6957: A cord, for, measuring, a rule, a rim, a musical string, accord and righteousness וּצְדָקָ֖ה (ū·ṣə·ḏā·qāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively the level.” לְמִשְׁקָ֑לֶת (lə·miš·qā·leṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4949: A leveling instrument, a level Hail בָרָד֙ (ḇā·rāḏ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1259: Hail will sweep away וְיָעָ֤ה (wə·yā·‘āh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3261: To sweep together your refuge מַחְסֵ֣ה (maḥ·sêh) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4268: Refuge, shelter of lies, כָזָ֔ב (ḵā·zāḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3577: A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing and water מַ֖יִם (ma·yim) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen will flood יִשְׁטֹֽפוּ׃ (yiš·ṭō·p̄ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7857: To gush, to inundate, cleanse, to gallop, conquer your hiding place. וְסֵ֥תֶר (wə·sê·ṯer) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5643: A covering, hiding place, secrecy Links Isaiah 28:17 NIVIsaiah 28:17 NLT Isaiah 28:17 ESV Isaiah 28:17 NASB Isaiah 28:17 KJV Isaiah 28:17 BibleApps.com Isaiah 28:17 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 28:17 Chinese Bible Isaiah 28:17 French Bible Isaiah 28:17 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 28:17 I will make justice the measuring line (Isa Isi Is) |
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