The term "measuring-line" appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, symbolizing judgment, construction, and divine order. It is often associated with God's precise standards and the establishment of boundaries, both physical and spiritual.

Old Testament References

1. Construction and Restoration: In the context of construction and restoration, the measuring-line is a tool used to ensure accuracy and precision. In the book of Zechariah, the prophet sees a man with a measuring-line in his hand, symbolizing the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Zechariah 2:1-2 states, "Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. 'Where are you going?' I asked. 'To measure Jerusalem,' he replied, 'and to determine its width and length.'"

2. Judgment and Destruction: The measuring-line is also used metaphorically to signify judgment. In Isaiah 28:17 , God declares, "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place." Here, the measuring-line represents God's standard of justice against which all are measured.

3. Divine Order and Sovereignty: The measuring-line is a symbol of God's sovereignty and the divine order He establishes. In Job 38:5 , God challenges Job, saying, "Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?" This rhetorical question emphasizes God's role as the Creator who sets the boundaries of the earth.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention a "measuring-line," the concept of divine measurement and judgment is present. The idea of God measuring and evaluating is seen in passages that discuss the final judgment and the establishment of God's kingdom.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

The measuring-line serves as a powerful symbol of God's authority and the standards by which He governs the world. It underscores the importance of alignment with divine principles and the consequences of deviating from them. The imagery of the measuring-line calls believers to reflect on their own lives, ensuring they are in accordance with God's righteous standards.

Applications in Christian Life

For Christians, the concept of the measuring-line can be applied to personal spiritual growth and community life. It encourages believers to measure their actions and thoughts against the teachings of Scripture, striving for holiness and integrity. In the church, it serves as a reminder of the need for order, unity, and adherence to biblical truth.

In summary, the measuring-line in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol representing God's judgment, precision, and the establishment of His divine order. It calls believers to live according to God's standards and to participate in the building of His kingdom with faithfulness and accuracy.6957b. qav -- a line
... a line. Transliteration: qav Short Definition: line. Word Origin from qavah Definition
a line NASB Word Usage circumference* (1), line (16), measuring line (3). ...
/hebrew/6957b.htm - 5k

2256. chebel -- cord, territory, band
... Or chebel {khay'-bel}; from chabal; a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring
line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as ...
/hebrew/2256.htm - 6k

2256a. chebel -- cord, territory, band
... territory, band NASB Word Usage allotment (1), coast (1), cord (2), cords (13),
group (2), line (4), lines (2), measurement (1), measuring line (1), noose (1 ...
/hebrew/2256a.htm - 5k

Some Miscellaneous Matters Respecting the Face of the Land.
... to their praise, because, measuring with a line, they collected and gave a corner
out of every row": that is, meeting with a measuring line, they yielded the ...
/.../from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 98 some miscellaneous matters.htm

Hidden and Revealed
... last acknowledge for the dwelling-place of God, and enemies of that Jehovah before
whom they finally bow down, he feels that he has no measuring-line to fathom ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/hidden and revealed.htm

The Geometry of Prayer
... and the cursed death of the Cross." That was His descent from heaven to earth; and
it was a descent of a kind, and of a degree, that no measuring-line of man ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/ii the geometry of prayer.htm

'The End of the Lord'
... worshipper. He had tried to fathom the bottomless, and been angry because
his short measuring-line had not reached the depths. But ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the end of the lord.htm

Valentine Weigel and Nature Mysticism
... The reason is that "Truth runs into no one by a pipe!"[24] "In the Church of
men"the man-made Church"the measuring-line," or standard, he says, is the ...
/.../chapter viii valentine weigel and.htm

"The Prophets of God Helping Them"
... See verses 18-21. "I lifted up mine eyes again," Zechariah said, "and looked,
and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 46 the prophets of.htm

The Price of Power.
... an insatiable appetite. It grows hungrier by that on which it feeds. Its
capacity is beyond the measuring line. If given free rein ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the price of power.htm

Who are My Brethren?
... With their short measuring line they could not fathom the mission which He came
to fulfill, and therefore could not sympathize with Him in His trials. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 33 who are my.htm

Malachi.
... 2. The four horns and four carpenters, 1:18-21. 3. The man with the measuring
line, Ch.2. 4. Joshua, the High Priest, and Satan, Ch.3. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxiii malachi.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Measuring-line (4 Occurrences)
Measuring-line. Measuring, Measuring-line. Measuring-reed .
Multi-Version Concordance Measuring-line (4 Occurrences). ...
/m/measuring-line.htm - 7k

Line (131 Occurrences)
... tapeline. 25. (n.) A measuringline or cord. 26. (n ... kanon). See also MEASURING
LINE; WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. James Orr. MEASURINGLINE. (qaw ...
/l/line.htm - 43k

Measuring (42 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MEASURINGLINE. ... (BBE). Isaiah 28:17 I will make
justice the measuringline, and righteousness the plumb line. ...
/m/measuring.htm - 22k

Weights (14 Occurrences)
... yards. The measuring-line was used also, but whether it had a fixed length
we do not know. See SABBATH DAY'S JOURNEY; MEASURINGLINE. ...
/w/weights.htm - 21k

Measures (50 Occurrences)
... yards. The measuring-line was used also, but whether it had a fixed length
we do not know. See SABBATH DAY'S JOURNEY; MEASURINGLINE. ...
/m/measures.htm - 35k

Onward (25 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV). Jeremiah 31:39 The measuringline shall go out further straight onward
to the hill Gareb, and shall turn about to Goah. (WEB ASV). ...
/o/onward.htm - 13k

Goath (1 Occurrence)
... Goath (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 31:39 And the measuringline shall yet go forth over
against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath. ...
/g/goath.htm - 7k

Go'ah (1 Occurrence)
... Go'ah (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 31:39 The measuringline shall go out further straight
onward to the hill Gareb, and shall turn about to Goah. (See RSV). ...
/g/go'ah.htm - 6k

Goah (1 Occurrence)
... Goah (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 31:39 The measuringline shall go out further straight
onward to the hill Gareb, and shall turn about to Goah. ...
/g/goah.htm - 7k

Gareb (3 Occurrences)
... NIV). Jeremiah 31:39 The measuringline shall go out further straight onward
to the hill Gareb, and shall turn about to Goah. (WEB ...
/g/gareb.htm - 8k

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