A cord weighted with lead that is used in building to check that vertical structures are true. It is used symbolically to refer to the divine standard against which God, the builder of his people, tests and judges them. It also symbolises the standards by which God will rebuild his people.
The plumb-line as the measuring tool of a structure
Zechariah 1:16, Zechariah 4:9–10 Using the plumb-line Zerubbabel will carry out his God-given task of building the temple. See also Jeremiah 31:38–40; Zechariah 2:1–2
Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there My house will be rebuilt, declares the LORD of Hosts, and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.’
“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”
God's plumb-line reveals the nation's failure
Although built true, Israel has become corrupt
Amos 7:7–8 See also Isaiah 1:21–24, Isaiah 5:1–2, Isaiah 5:7, Isaiah 59:14
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:
God's testing brings judgment
2 Kings 21:13 See also Isaiah 34:11; Lamentations 2:8
I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes out a bowl— wiping it and turning it upside down.
God will rebuild his people
God's promise to rebuild Israel
Jeremiah 31:4 See also Psalm 69:35–36, Psalm 147:2; Isaiah 54:11–12
Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out in joyful dancing.
They will be rebuilt true to God's plumb-line
Isaiah 28:16–17 See also Psalm 51:18–19; Isaiah 1:25–26; Psalm 89:14, Psalm 97:2, Psalm 99:4; Isaiah 16:5
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. 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.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.