Plumb Line

A weight on a string used by builders to check if walls are straight.

A plumb line is used to check verticality
A plumb line is used to check verticality (© Pearson Scott Foresman © Wikimedia Commons) Plumb line

About Plumb Line

Cord with a weight attached, used to ensure the straightness of a wall.

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The object itself Article

Form, use in ancient daily life, and how translators render the term.

Key References

2 Kings 21:13

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.

Amos 7:7

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 7:8

“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:

All Scripture References (5)

2 Kings (1)
2 Kings 21:13

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.

Isaiah (1)
Isaiah 28:17

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.

Amos (2)
Amos 7:7

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 7:8

“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:

Zechariah (1)
Zechariah 4:10

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.”