Amos 7:8

“And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? etc.] This question was put to him, the rather, since he was silent, and did not upon this vision, as the former, make any supplication to the Lord; as also, because this vision portended something of moment and importance, which he would have the prophet attend to: and I said, a plumbline; the same word as before, and is differently rendered, as already observed. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, “a plasterer’s” or “mason’s trowel”; with which they lay their plaster and mortar on in building: the Septuagint, an adamant: and which, by Plinyf198, is called “anachites”; a word in sound near to this here used: the Targum renders it,…”

“plumb-line in . . . midst of . . . Israel--No longer are the symbols, as in the former two, stated generally; this one is expressly applied to Israel. God's long-suffering is worn out by Israel's perversity: so Amos ceases to intercede (compare Gen 18:33). The plummet line was used not only in building, but in destroying houses (Kg2 21:13; Isa 28:17; Isa 34:11; Lam 2:8). It denotes that God's judgments are measured out by the most exact rules of justice. Here it is placed "in the midst" of Israel, that is, the judgment is not to be confined to an outer part of Israel, as by Tiglath-pileser; it is to reach the very center. This was fulfilled when Shalmaneser, after a three years' siege of…”

“Amos, what seest thou? - o: “He calls the prophet by name, as a familiar friend, known and approved by Him, as He said to Moses, “I know thee by name” Exodus 33:12, Exodus 33:17. For “the Lord knoweth them that are His. What seest thou?” 2 Timothy 2:19. God had twice heard the prophet. Two judgments upon His people He had mitigated, not upon their repentance, but on the single intercession of the prophet. After that, He willed to be no more entreated. And so He exhibits to Amos a symbol, whose meaning He does not explain until He had pronounced their doom. “The plumbline” was used in pulling down, as well as in building up. Whence Jeremiah says, “The Lord hath purposed to destroy the wall of…”

“Set a plumb - line - I will exactly measure the whole ten tribes. Pass by them - I will no more forbear, but will pull down all that is faulty. Amos 7:9”

“7:8 The Hebrew word translated plumb line (Hebrew ’anak) is similar to the word for groaning (’anakhah, see Isa 35:10; Lam 1:22), alluding to great suffering when God would hold Israel accountable.”

“Amos: Jer 1:11-13; Zac 5:2 a plumbline: This was an emblem of strict justice; and intimated that God would now visit them according to their iniquities. I will set: Lam 2:8 I will not: Amo 8:2; Jer 15:6; Eze 7:2-9; Mic 7:18; Nah 1:8, Nah 1:9 Amos 7:9”