Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7200 History of God's people in OT  »  7254 plumb-line

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

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 5:1-2,7; Isaiah 59:14

God's testing brings judgment

2 Kings 21:13 See also Isaiah 34:11; Lamentations 2:8

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

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

See also

1075  God, justice of
5240  building
5359  justice
8154  righteousness
8309  morality
8832  testing
9165  restoration
9210  judgment, God's