Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "line" is used in various contexts, often symbolizing measurement, boundary, or inheritance. The concept of a line can be both literal and metaphorical, serving as a tool for understanding God's order and justice.1. Measurement and Construction: The line is frequently associated with measurement, particularly in the context of construction and architecture. In the building of the temple, the use of a line signifies precision and divine order. In 1 Kings 7:23, the construction of the bronze sea by Solomon's craftsmen is described: "He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it." Here, the line is a tool for ensuring the accuracy and symmetry of sacred structures. 2. Boundary and Inheritance: Lines also denote boundaries, often related to the division of land among the tribes of Israel. In Joshua 17:5, the allocation of land is described: "Thus ten portions fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is beyond the Jordan." The use of lines in this context underscores the importance of order and fairness in the distribution of the Promised Land, reflecting God's covenantal promises to His people. 3. Justice and Righteousness: Metaphorically, the line represents God's standard of justice and righteousness. In Isaiah 28:17, the prophet declares, "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place." Here, the line is a divine standard against which human actions are measured, emphasizing the moral and ethical dimensions of God's law. 4. Prophetic Symbolism: The line is also used in prophetic visions to convey messages of judgment or restoration. In Amos 7:7-8, the Lord shows Amos a vision: "This is what He showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand. 'What do you see, Amos?' He asked. 'A plumb line,' I replied. Then the Lord said, 'Behold, I am setting a plumb line among My people Israel; I will no longer spare them.'" The plumb line symbolizes God's impending judgment, highlighting the need for repentance and alignment with His will. 5. Lineage and Descent: The concept of a line is also significant in terms of lineage and descent, particularly in the genealogies that trace the ancestry of key biblical figures. These lines of descent are crucial for understanding the fulfillment of God's promises through generations, culminating in the lineage of Jesus Christ as outlined in the Gospels. In summary, the term "line" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the practical aspects of measurement and boundary-setting to the profound spiritual implications of justice, righteousness, and divine judgment. Each usage reflects the broader themes of order, covenant, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Flax; linen.2. (n.) The longer and finer fiber of flax. 3. (v. t.) To cover the inner surface of; as, to line a cloak with silk or fur; to line a box with paper or tin. 4. (v. t.) To put something in the inside of; to fill; to supply, as a purse with money. 5. (v. t.) To place persons or things along the side of for security or defense; to strengthen by adding anything; to fortify; as, to line works with soldiers. 6. (v. t.) To impregnate; -- applied to brute animals. 7. (n.) A linen thread or string; a slender, strong cord; also, a cord of any thickness; a rope; a hawser; as, a fishing line; a line for snaring birds; a clothesline; a towline. 8. (n.) A more or less threadlike mark of pen, pencil, or graver; any long mark; as, a chalk line. 9. (n.) The course followed by anything in motion; hence, a road or route; as, the arrow descended in a curved line; the place is remote from lines of travel. 10. (n.) Direction; as, the line of sight or vision. 11. (n.) A row of letters, words, etc., written or printed; esp., a row of words extending across a page or column. 12. (n.) A short letter; a note; as, a line from a friend. 13. (n.) A verse, or the words which form a certain number of feet, according to the measure. 14. (n.) Course of conduct, thought, occupation, or policy; method of argument; department of industry, trade, or intellectual activity. 15. (n.) That which has length, but not breadth or thickness. 16. (n.) The exterior limit of a figure, plat, or territory; boundary; contour; outline. 17. (n.) A threadlike crease marking the face or the hand; hence, characteristic mark. 18. (n.) Lineament; feature; figure. 19. (n.) A straight row; a continued series or rank; as, a line of houses, or of soldiers; a line of barriers. 20. (n.) A series or succession of ancestors or descendants of a given person; a family or race; as, the ascending or descending line; the line of descent; the male line; a line of kings. 21. (n.) A connected series of public conveyances, and hence, an established arrangement for forwarding merchandise, etc.; as, a line of stages; an express line. 22. (n.) A circle of latitude or of longitude, as represented on a map. 23. (n.) The equator; -- usually called the line, or equinoctial line; as, to cross the line. 24. (n.) A long tape, or a narrow ribbon of steel, etc., marked with subdivisions, as feet and inches, for measuring; a tapeline. 25. (n.) A measuring line or cord. 26. (n.) That which was measured by a line, as a field or any piece of land set apart; hence, allotted place of abode. 27. (n.) Instruction; doctrine. 28. (n.) The proper relative position or adjustment of parts, not as to design or proportion, but with reference to smooth working; as, the engine is in line or out of line. 29. (n.) The track and roadbed of a railway; railroad. 30. (n.) A row of men who are abreast of one another, whether side by side or some distance apart; -- opposed to column. 31. (n.) The regular infantry of an army, as distinguished from militia, guards, volunteer corps, cavalry, artillery, etc. 32. (n.) A trench or rampart. 33. (n.) Dispositions made to cover extended positions, and presenting a front in but one direction to an enemy. 34. (n.) Form of a vessel as shown by the outlines of vertical, horizontal, and oblique sections. 35. (n.) One of the straight horizontal and parallel prolonged strokes on and between which the notes are placed. 36. (n.) A number of shares taken by a jobber. 37. (n.) A series of various qualities and values of the same general class of articles; as, a full line of hosiery; a line of merinos, etc. 38. (n.) The wire connecting one telegraphic station with another, or the whole of a system of telegraph wires under one management and name. 39. (n.) The reins with which a horse is guided by his driver. 40. (n.) A measure of length; one twelfth of an inch. 41. (v. t.) To mark with a line or lines; to cover with lines; as, to line a copy book. 42. (v. t.) To represent by lines; to delineate; to portray. 43. (v. t.) To read or repeat line by line; as, to line out a hymn. 44. (v. t.) To form into a line; to align; as, to line troops. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia LINElin (qaw, chebhel): Usually of a measuring line, as Jeremiah 31:39 Ezekiel 47:3 Zechariah 1:16 (qaw); Psalm 78:55 Amos 7:17 Zechariah 2:1 (chebhel). Other Hebrew words mean simply a cord or thread (Joshua 2:18, 21 1 Kings 7:15 Ezekiel 40:3). In Psalm 19:4 (qaw, "Their line is gone out through all the earth"), the reference is probably still to measurement (the heaven as spanning and bounding the earth), though the Septuagint, followed by Romans 10:18, takes it as meaning a musical cord phthoggos). The "line," as measure, suggests rule of conduct (Isaiah 28:10). For "line" in Isaiah 44:13, the Revised Version (British and American) reads "pencil," margin "red ochre" (seredh), and in 2 Corinthians 10:16, "province," margin "limit" (kanon). MEASURING LINE (qaw, qeweh): The usual meaning is simply line, rope or cord, in Isaiah 28:10, 13, but the line was used for measurement, as is evident from such passages as 1 Kings 7:23 Job 38:5 Jeremiah 31:39. Whether the line for measuring had a definite length or not we have no means of knowing. In Isaiah 44:13 it refers to the line used by the carpenter in marking the timber on which he is working, and in Zechariah 1:16 it refers to the builder's line. Greek 795. astocheo -- to miss the mark ... 795 ("swerve out of line") refers to (2307 ), ie deviating from "God's (line)" by walking "off line." 795 () emphasizes the that goes with walking "off (God's ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/795.htm - 7k 5241. huperentugchano -- to intercede, to make petition for 4061. peritome -- circumcision 824. atopos -- out of place, strange 1001. bolizo -- to heave the lead 2583. kanon -- a rule, standard 3053. logismos -- a reasoning, a thought 3848. parabates -- one who stands beside 4016. periballo -- to throw around, put on 3718. orthotomeo -- to cut straight Strong's Hebrew 2339. chut -- thread, cord, line... 2338, 2339. chut. 2340 . thread, cord, line. Transliteration: chut Phonetic Spelling: (khoot) Short Definition: thread. ... cord, fillet, line, thread. ... /hebrew/2339.htm - 6k 6957b. qav -- a line 6961. qaveh -- a line 6957. qav -- line 4634. maarakah -- row, rank, battle line 4635. maareketh -- a row, line 6961a. qaveh -- a line 7504a. Rapha -- an Israelite in the line of Saul 6957a. qav -- line 7504. rapheh -- an Israelite in the line of Saul Library Jesus the Dividing Line. On Perseverance in the Line that Has Been Chosen. The Beauty of the Straight Line Might be Taken from the Region of ... Of the Succession of the Line of Kings among the Israelites after ... He Continues the Same Line of Argument Drawn from the Creed of ... The Manich??ans are Reduced to the Choice of a Tortuous, or Curved ... Of the Genealogy of Shem, in Whose Line the City of God is ... And How Long Shall we Draw the Saw to and Fro through this Line... How it is that Cain's Line Terminates in the Eighth Generation ... Errata. Thesaurus Line (131 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The longer and finer fiber of flax. 3. (vt) To cover the inner surface of; as, to line a cloak with silk or fur; to line a box with paper or tin. ... /l/line.htm - 43k Plumb-line (2 Occurrences) Measuring-line (4 Occurrences) Coast-line (2 Occurrences) Plumb (6 Occurrences) Precept (7 Occurrences) Level (31 Occurrences) Plummet (4 Occurrences) Parallel (6 Occurrences) Range (9 Occurrences) Resources What is a plumb line in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhen does hygiene cross the line and become vanity? | GotQuestions.org Where/how do you draw the line between helping someone and allowing someone to take advantage of you? | GotQuestions.org Line: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Line (131 Occurrences)Matthew 17:27 Luke 2:4 2 Corinthians 10:13 2 Corinthians 10:15 2 Corinthians 10:16 2 Corinthians 11:12 Galatians 2:14 Philippians 4:9 2 Timothy 2:15 Genesis 5:1 Genesis 18:19 Genesis 19:32 Genesis 19:34 Exodus 28:17 Exodus 39:10 Leviticus 22:4 Leviticus 24:6 Numbers 21:13 Numbers 34:7 Numbers 34:8 Numbers 34:10 Deuteronomy 25:9 Deuteronomy 25:10 Deuteronomy 25:18 Deuteronomy 32:9 Joshua 2:18 Joshua 2:21 Joshua 15:6 Joshua 15:7 Joshua 15:8 Joshua 15:10 Joshua 15:11 Joshua 15:12 Joshua 16:6 Joshua 16:8 Joshua 17:7 Joshua 18:12 Joshua 18:13 Joshua 18:15 Joshua 18:16 Joshua 19:14 Joshua 22:25 Judges 7:11 Judges 7:17 Judges 7:19 Judges 7:21 Judges 20:20 Judges 20:22 Ruth 4:4 Ruth 4:18 1 Samuel 2:31 1 Samuel 2:32 1 Samuel 2:36 1 Samuel 4:2 1 Samuel 4:12 1 Samuel 4:16 1 Samuel 17:2 1 Samuel 17:8 1 Samuel 17:20 1 Samuel 17:22 1 Samuel 17:48 2 Samuel 7:11 2 Samuel 7:29 2 Samuel 8:2 2 Samuel 10:9 2 Samuel 11:15 1 Kings 2:24 1 Kings 6:6 1 Kings 6:10 1 Kings 6:36 1 Kings 7:3 1 Kings 7:4 1 Kings 7:12 1 Kings 7:15 1 Kings 7:23 1 Kings 11:14 1 Kings 14:10 2 Kings 7:5 2 Kings 7:8 2 Kings 21:13 1 Chronicles 16:18 1 Chronicles 17:10 1 Chronicles 17:25 1 Chronicles 19:10 2 Chronicles 4:2 2 Chronicles 13:3 2 Chronicles 35:24 Ezra 2:6 Ezra 2:40 Ezra 6:4 Nehemiah 7:11 Nehemiah 7:43 Job 13:27 Job 38:5 Psalms 19:4 Psalms 78:55 Psalms 89:4 Psalms 89:29 Psalms 89:36 Psalms 105:11 Subtopics Related Terms Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |