Bible Dictionaries
Line

Holman Bible Dictionary

(1) A tool used for measuring length or distance; (2) a plumb line; (3) a cord; (4) a row. Sometimes the distance to be measured is relatively short (1 Kings 7:23 ). Elsewhere the line serves as a surveying tool for measuring a larger distance (Psalm 16:6; Isaiah 34:17; Jeremiah 31:39; Zechariah 1:16; Zechariah 2:1-2 ). The surveying image is applied both to contexts where judgment (Amos 7:17 ) and restoration (Jeremiah 31:39; Zechariah 1:16; Zechariah 2:1 ) are in view. In contrast, references to a plumb line refer to judgment (2 Kings 21:13; Isaiah 34:11; Lamentations 2:8 ) upon those who failed to meet God's high standards (Isaiah 28:17 ). Line is used in the sense of a cord in story of Rahab and the spies (Joshua 2:18 ,Joshua 2:18,2:21 ). Line can also refer to a row (of men, 2 Samuel 8:2; of writing, Isaiah 28:10 ,Isaiah 28:10,28:13 ).