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

Old Testament References

1. Construction and Division: The measuring line is frequently mentioned in the context of construction and the division of land. In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet describes a vision of a new temple, where a man with a measuring line measures the temple's dimensions (Ezekiel 40:3-5). This imagery underscores the precision and orderliness of God's plans.

2. Judgment and Destruction: The measuring line is also a symbol of judgment. In Isaiah 28:17, God declares, "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line." Here, the measuring line represents God's standard of justice against which all are measured. Similarly, in 2 Kings 21:13, God speaks of stretching over Jerusalem "the measuring line of Samaria and the plumb line of the house of Ahab," indicating impending judgment and destruction.

3. Restoration and Hope: Conversely, the measuring line can symbolize hope and restoration. In Zechariah 2:1-2, a man with a measuring line is seen measuring Jerusalem, signifying the city's future expansion and prosperity. This vision reassures the exiles of God's promise to restore and protect His people.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention a "measuring line," the concept of measurement and divine standards is present. In Revelation 11:1, John is given a measuring rod and told to measure the temple of God, the altar, and the worshipers. This act signifies God's protection and the delineation of His people from those who oppose Him.

Symbolic Meaning

The measuring line serves as a powerful symbol of God's authority and sovereignty. It represents His ability to define, judge, and restore according to His divine will. The imagery of the measuring line emphasizes the importance of aligning with God's standards and the assurance of His plans for justice and redemption.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the measuring line underscores the themes of divine justice, order, and hope. It reminds believers of the importance of living according to God's standards and the assurance of His ultimate plan for restoration. The measuring line also highlights the precision and intentionality of God's actions, whether in judgment or in blessing.

Conclusion

The concept of the measuring line in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol of God's interaction with His creation. It reflects His standards of justice, His plans for restoration, and His sovereign authority over all things. Through the imagery of the measuring line, believers are called to recognize the importance of aligning with God's divine order and to trust in His promises for the future.Measuring Line

MEASURING LINE

(qaw, qeweh): The usual meaning is simply line, rope or cord, in Isaiah 28:10, 13, but the line was used for measurement, as is evident from such passages as 1 Kings 7:23 Job 38:5 Jeremiah 31:39. Whether the line for measuring had a definite length or not we have no means of knowing. In Isaiah 44:13 it refers to the line used by the carpenter in marking the timber on which he is working, and in Zechariah 1:16 it refers to the builder's line.

Figuratively: It signifies destruction, or a portion of something marked off by line for destruction, as in 2 Kings 21:13; or for judgment, as in Isaiah 28:17.

H. Porter

6957b. qav -- a line
... Word Origin from qavah Definition a line NASB Word Usage circumference* (1), line
(16), measuring line (3). 6957a, 6957b. qav. 6958 . Strong's Numbers.
/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

2339. chut -- thread, cord, line
... cord, fillet, line, thread. From an unused root probably meaning to sew; a string;
by implication, a measuring tape -- cord, fillet, line, thread. 2338, 2339 ...
/hebrew/2339.htm - 6k

6961. qaveh -- a line
... line From qavah; a (measuring) cord (as if for binding) -- line. see HEBREW
qavah. 6960b, 6961. qaveh. 6961a . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6961.htm - 5k

6957. qav -- line
... qav {kawv}; from qavah (compare qaveh); a cord (as connecting), especially for
measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord -- line. ...
/hebrew/6957.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
... [8] "Of the Life of Christ, That is, Of True Faith which is the Rule, Square, Levell
or Measuring Line of the Holy City of God and of the Inhabitants thereof ...
/.../chapter viii valentine weigel and.htm

"The Prophets of God Helping Them"
... "I lifted up mine eyes again," Zechariah said, "and looked, and behold a man with
a measuring line in his hand. Then said I, Whither goest thou? ...
/.../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 Saint Having Turned to God the Father, Explains Why He Does ...
... From whence, I ask, shall I measure Thee? The prophet saw a line of flax with which
the angel measured Jerusalem. An angel was measuring, not Arius. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xix the saint having.htm

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Measuring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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