2 Kings 21:13

“And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, etc.] The Targum is, the line of destruction; and the sense is, that the same measure should be measured to Jerusalem as was to Samaria; that is, the same lot and portion should befall one as the other, that is, be utterly destroyed: and the plummet of the house of Ahab; the Targum is, the weight or plummet of tribulation; signifying, that the same calamities should come upon the families of Jerusalem, and especially on the family of Manasseh as came upon the family of Ahab. It is a metaphor from builders that take down as well as raise up buildings by rule and measure, (see <100802>2 Samuel 8:2) and I will wipe Jerusalem, as a man…”

“the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab--Captives doomed to destruction were sometimes grouped together and marked off by means of a measuring-line and plummet (Sa2 8:2; Isa 34:11; Amo 7:7); so that the line of Samaria means the line drawn for the destruction of Samaria; the plummet of the house of Ahab, for exterminating his apostate family; and the import of the threatening declaration here is that Judah would be utterly destroyed, as Samaria and the dynasty of Ahab had been. I will wipe Jerusalem, &c.--The same doom is denounced more strongly in a figure unmistakably significant.”

“The general meaning is plain, but the exact force of the metaphor used is not so clear. If the “line” and the “plummet” be “symbols of rule” or law, the meaning will be - “I will apply exactly the same measure and rule to Jerusalem as to Samaria - I will treat both alike with strict and even justice.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“The line - She shall have the same measure, the same judgments which Samaria had. The line is often put for one's lot or portion, because mens portions or possessions used to be measured by lines. A dish - As men do with a dish that hath been used, first wholly empty it of all that is in it, then throughly cleanse and wipe it; and lastly, turn it upside down, that nothing may remain in it; so will I deal with Jerusalem, throughly empty and purge it from all its wicked inhabitants. Yet the comparison intimates, that this should be in order to the purifying, not the final destruction of Jerusalem. The dish shall not be broken in pieces, or wholly cast away, but only wiped. 4 Kings (2 Kings)…”

“I will stretch: This metaphor is taken from the custom of using a line in measuring land, and in dividing portions of it among several persons. Samaria was taken, pillaged, and ruined, and its inhabitants carried into captivity: Jerusalem shall have the same measure. Kg2 17:6; Isa 10:22, Isa 28:17, Isa 34:11; Lam 2:8; Eze 23:31-34; Amo 7:7, Amo 7:8; Zac 1:16 the plummet: Kg2 10:11; Kg1 21:21-24 I will wipe: I will empty Jerusalem of all its wealth and inhabitants, as truly as a dish turned up and wiped is emptied of its contents. Kg1 14:10; Isa 14:23; Jer 25:9; Eze 24:10, Eze 24:11; Rev 18:21-23 wiping it, and turning it upside down: Heb. he wipeth and turneth it upon the face thereof 4…”