Zechariah 2:1
New International Version
Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand.

New Living Translation
When I looked again, I saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

English Standard Version
And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand!

Berean Standard Bible
Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

King James Bible
I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

New King James Version
Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.

New American Standard Bible
Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand.

NASB 1995
Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand.

NASB 1977
Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, there was a man with a measuring cord in his hand.

Amplified Bible
And I looked up, and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Christian Standard Bible
I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

American Standard Version
And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Contemporary English Version
This time I saw someone holding a measuring line,

English Revised Version
And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Good News Translation
In another vision I saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

International Standard Version
Then I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Majority Standard Bible
Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

NET Bible
I looked again, and there was a man with a measuring line in his hand.

New Heart English Bible
I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and look, a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Webster's Bible Translation
I lifted up my eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

World English Bible
I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I lift up my eyes, and look, and behold, a man, and in his hand a measuring line.

Young's Literal Translation
And I lift up mine eyes, and look, and lo, a man, and in his hand a measuring line.

Smith's Literal Translation
I shall lift up mine eyes and see, and behold, a man, and in his hand a cord of measure.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, with a measuring line in his hand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw, and behold, a man, and in his hand was a measuring line.

New American Bible
I raised my eyes and looked, and there was a man with a measuring cord in his hand.

New Revised Standard Version
I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I LIFTED up my eyes again and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw a man and a cord of measurement in his hand
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man, and in his hand a measuring line.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vision of the Measuring Line
1Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2“Where are you going?” I asked. “To measure Jerusalem,” he replied, “and to determine its width and length.”…

Cross References
Ezekiel 40:3
So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze. He was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand.

Revelation 11:1
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.

Ezekiel 47:3
As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water.

Amos 7:7-8
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, 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:

Revelation 21:15-16
The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls. / The city lies foursquare, with its width the same as its length. And he measured the city with the rod, and all its dimensions were equal—12,000 stadia in length and width and height.

Jeremiah 31:39
The measuring line will once again stretch out straight to the hill of Gareb and then turn toward Goah.

Isaiah 40:3-4
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. / Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.

Ezekiel 42:16-20
With a measuring rod he measured the east side to be five hundred cubits long. / He measured the north side to be five hundred cubits long. / He measured the south side to be five hundred cubits long. ...

Isaiah 49:16
Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.

Revelation 21:2
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Isaiah 54:2
“Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back. Lengthen your ropes and drive your stakes in deep.

Ezekiel 41:1-4
Then the man brought me into the outer sanctuary and measured the side pillars to be six cubits wide on each side. / The width of the entrance was ten cubits, and the sides of the entrance were five cubits on each side. He also measured the length of the outer sanctuary to be forty cubits, and the width to be twenty cubits. / And he went into the inner sanctuary and measured the side pillars at the entrance to be two cubits wide. The entrance was six cubits wide, and the walls on each side were seven cubits wide. ...

Isaiah 60:18
No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

Revelation 3:12
The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.

Isaiah 62:1-2
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep still, until her righteousness shines like a bright light, her salvation like a blazing torch. / Nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.


Treasury of Scripture

I lifted up my eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

lifted.

Zechariah 1:18
Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

a man.

Zechariah 1:16
Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 40:3,5
And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate…

Ezekiel 47:4
Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

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Zechariah 2
1. God, in the care of Jerusalem, sends to measure it.
6. The redemption of Zion.
10. The promise of God's presence.














Then I lifted up my eyes
This phrase signifies a moment of divine revelation and spiritual awakening. In the Hebrew context, "lifting up one's eyes" often indicates a readiness to receive a vision or message from God. It suggests an intentional act of looking beyond the immediate, earthly circumstances to perceive the divine. This action is reminiscent of other biblical figures who received visions, such as Abraham and Ezekiel, indicating a continuity of God's communication with His people.

and saw a man
The "man" here is often interpreted as an angelic being, a messenger of God. In the Hebrew tradition, angels frequently appear in human form to deliver God's messages. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God uses intermediaries to communicate His will. The presence of this "man" signifies the importance of the message about to be delivered, emphasizing God's active involvement in the affairs of His people.

with a measuring line
The "measuring line" is a tool used for construction and surveying, symbolizing preparation and planning. In the prophetic context, it represents God's intention to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic books, such as Ezekiel and Revelation, where measuring lines are used to denote divine order and protection. It underscores the theme of restoration and hope, assuring the Israelites of God's plans to reestablish their city and His covenant with them.

in his hand
The phrase "in his hand" indicates control and authority. The man holding the measuring line signifies that the forthcoming actions are under divine direction. In biblical symbolism, the hand often represents power and capability. This assures the audience that the rebuilding of Jerusalem is not just a human endeavor but is orchestrated by God's sovereign power. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to bring His promises to fruition.

Verses 1-13. - § 5. The third vision: the man with the measuring line. Verse 1. - (Hebrews 2:5.) I lifted up mine eyes again (comp. Zechariah 5:1; Zechariah 6:1; Daniel 8:3). This third vision makes a further revelation of God's mercy to Israel. Consequent on the destruction of enemies shall be the growth and development of the chosen people till the time of their final glory (comp. Zechariah 1:16). There is some difficulty in arranging the details of this vision, depending in great measure on the decision we arrive at with regard to the identification of the "young man" of ver. 4. Those who, as Theodoret, Hitzig, Schegg, Trcehon, Wright, Perowne, etc., consider him to be the man with the measuring line of ver. 1, do not explain why the message should be given to him instead of to the prophet who had asked for information. Nor is it at all certain that the measurer is meant to be regarded as having made a mistake in attempting to define the limits of what was practically unlimited - viz. the restored Jerusalem - and was stopped accordingly in his proceedings. It seems preferable, with Jerome, Cornelius a Lapide, Pusey, Keil, Knabenbauer, etc., to regard the "young man" as Zechariah himself. Then the vision is thus presented: The prophet sees a man with a measuring line; he asks whither he is going, and is answered that he was going forth to measure Jerusalem. Upon this the interpreting angel leaves the prophet's side to receive the explanation of the man's proceedings, and is met by a superior angel, who bids him hasten to tell the prophet the meaning of the vision. A man. Probably an angel in human form, as Zechariah 1:8. A measuring line. This is not the same word as that in Zechariah 1:16; but the idea there proposed is taken up here, and its fulfilment is set forth (comp. Ezekiel 11:3; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 21:15, 16).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then I lifted
וָאֶשָּׂ֥א (wā·’eś·śā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

up my eyes
עֵינַ֛י (‘ê·nay)
Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

and saw
וָאֵ֖רֶא (wā·’ê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

a man
אִ֑ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

with a measuring
מִדָּֽה׃ (mid·dāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4060: Extension, height, breadth, a measure, a portion, a vestment, tribute

line
חֶ֥בֶל (ḥe·ḇel)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2256: A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin

in his hand.
וּבְיָד֖וֹ (ū·ḇə·yā·ḏōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 2:1 I lifted up my eyes and saw (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 1:21
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