Zechariah 2:1 Study Bible: I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and look, a man with a measuring line in his hand.

◄ Zechariah 2:1 ►

Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Then I lifted up my eyes
This phrase signifies a moment of divine revelation and spiritual awakening. In the Hebrew context, "lifting up one's eyes" often indicates a readiness to receive a vision or message from God. It suggests an intentional act of looking beyond the immediate, earthly circumstances to perceive the divine. This action is reminiscent of other biblical figures who received visions, such as Abraham and Ezekiel, indicating a continuity of God's communication with His people.

and saw a man
The "man" here is often interpreted as an angelic being, a messenger of God. In the Hebrew tradition, angels frequently appear in human form to deliver God's messages. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God uses intermediaries to communicate His will. The presence of this "man" signifies the importance of the message about to be delivered, emphasizing God's active involvement in the affairs of His people.

with a measuring line
The "measuring line" is a tool used for construction and surveying, symbolizing preparation and planning. In the prophetic context, it represents God's intention to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic books, such as Ezekiel and Revelation, where measuring lines are used to denote divine order and protection. It underscores the theme of restoration and hope, assuring the Israelites of God's plans to reestablish their city and His covenant with them.

in his hand
The phrase "in his hand" indicates control and authority. The man holding the measuring line signifies that the forthcoming actions are under divine direction. In biblical symbolism, the hand often represents power and capability. This assures the audience that the rebuilding of Jerusalem is not just a human endeavor but is orchestrated by God's sovereign power. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to bring His promises to fruition.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Zechariah
The prophet who receives the vision. He is a post-exilic prophet, encouraging the Israelites during the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

2. The Man with the Measuring Line
A symbolic figure representing God's intention to measure and restore Jerusalem. This imagery is often associated with divine planning and protection.

3. Jerusalem
The city central to the vision, symbolizing God's people and His plans for their future restoration and protection.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty and Planning
The vision of the measuring line emphasizes God's meticulous planning and control over the future of His people. Just as He measured Jerusalem, He has a plan for each of our lives.

Restoration and Protection
The act of measuring signifies not only restoration but also protection. God is actively involved in safeguarding His people, ensuring their spiritual and physical well-being.

Hope in God's Promises
This vision serves as a reminder of the hope we have in God's promises. Despite current circumstances, God is working towards a future of restoration and blessing for His people.

Active Participation in God's Work
As God measures and plans, we are called to participate actively in His work, aligning our lives with His divine purposes and contributing to the building of His kingdom.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of a measuring line in Zechariah 2:1 reflect God's sovereignty and meticulous planning for His people?

2. In what ways can we see God's protective measures in our own lives, similar to His protection over Jerusalem?

3. How does the vision of restoration in Zechariah 2:1 encourage us to trust in God's promises during challenging times?

4. What are some practical ways we can actively participate in God's work of restoration and building His kingdom today?

5. How do the connections to other scriptures, such as Ezekiel 40:3 and Revelation 11:1, enhance our understanding of God's plans for His people?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Ezekiel 40:3
Similar imagery of a man with a measuring line is used, indicating God's precise plans for His people and their future.

Revelation 11:1
The measuring of the temple signifies God's protection and the establishment of His presence among His people.

Isaiah 40:22
The concept of God measuring the earth highlights His sovereignty and control over creation.

Sermons

An Interesting Future of the World	Homilist	Zechariah 2:1-4
The Man with a Measure		Zechariah 2:1-4
The Man with the Measuring Line	P. B. Meyer, B. A.	Zechariah 2:1-4
The Man with the Measuring Line	W. L. Alexander, D. D.	Zechariah 2:1-4
The Optimism of Faith	J. G. Greenhough, M. A.	Zechariah 2:1-4
The True Glory of the Church	T. V. Moore, D. D.	Zechariah 2:1-4
Measuring the Church	W. Forsyth	Zechariah 2:1-5
Third Vision: an Interesting Future for the World	D. Thomas	Zechariah 2:1-5

People

Zechariah

Places

Babylon, Jerusalem, Zion

Topics

Behold, Lift, Lifted, Lifting, Line, Measuring, Measuring-line

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Zechariah 2:1-2

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Library

The City Without Walls
'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls.... For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.'--ZECHARIAH ii. 4, 5. Zechariah was the Prophet of the returning exiles, and his great work was to hearten them for their difficult task, with their small resources and their many foes, and to insist that the prime condition to success, on the part of that portion of the nation that had returned, was holiness. So his visions, of which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Prayer for the Lord's Promised Presence. Zech 2:10
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Lord Reigneth
Hallelujah; for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! T he book of the Revelation, being chiefly prophetical, will not, perhaps, be fully understood, till the final accomplishment of the events shall draw near, and throw a stronger light upon the whole series. But while the learned commentators have been, hitherto, divided and perplexed in their attempts to illustrate many parts of it, there are other parts well adapted for the instruction and refreshment of plain Christians. Particularly, those passages …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever! T he Kingdom of our Lord in the heart, and in the world, is frequently compared to a building or house, of which He Himself is both the Foundation and the Architect (Isaiah 28:16 and 54:11, 12) . A building advances by degrees (I Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:20-22) , and while it is in an unfinished state, a stranger cannot, by viewing its present appearance, form an accurate judgment …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

John's Introduction.
^D John I. 1-18. ^d 1 In the beginning was the Word [a title for Jesus peculiar to the apostle John], and the Word was with God [not going before nor coming after God, but with Him at the beginning], and the Word was God. [Not more, not less.] 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him [the New Testament often speaks of Christ as the Creator--see ver. 10; I. Cor. viii. 6; Col. i. 13, 17; Heb. i. 2]; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. [This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Noble Results of this Species of Prayer
The Noble Results of this Species of Prayer Some persons, when they hear of the prayer of silence, falsely imagine, that the soul remains stupid, dead, and inactive. But, unquestionably, it acteth therein, more nobly and more extensively than it had ever done before; for God Himself is the mover, and the soul now acteth by the agency of His Spirit. When S. Paul speaks of our being led by the Spirit of God, it is not meant that we should cease from action; but that we should act through the internal …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Gifts Received for the Rebellious
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. W hen Joseph exchanged a prison for the chief honour and government of Egypt, the advantage of his exaltation was felt by those who little deserved it (Genesis 45:4, 5) . His brethren hated him, and had conspired to kill him. And though he was preserved from death, they were permitted to sell him for a bond-servant. He owed his servitude, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

This State of Prayer not one of Idleness, but of Noble Action, Wrought by the Spirit of God, and in Dependence Upon Him --The Communication Of
Some people, hearing of the prayer of silence, have wrongly imagined that the soul remains inactive, lifeless, and without movement. But the truth is, that its action is more noble and more extensive than it ever was before it entered this degree, since it is moved by God Himself, and acted upon by His Spirit. St Paul desires that we should be led by the Spirit of God (Rom. viii. 14). I do not say that there must be no action, but that we must act in dependence upon the divine movement. This …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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