Amos 7:8

6 So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen either,” said the Lord GOD.

7 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:

9 The high places of Isaac will be deserted, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste; and I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with My sword.”

10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“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:
KJV
And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
WEB
The LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I will set a plumb line in the middle of my people Israel. I will not again pass by them any more.
ASV
And Jehovah said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumb-line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel; I will not again pass by them any more;
DARBY
And Jehovah said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumb-line. And the Lord said, Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more.
BLB
And YHWH said to me: “What [are] you seeing, Amos?” And I said, “A plumb line.” And the Lord said, “Behold, I am setting a plumb line among My people Israel; I will not continue any longer to pass over him.
ÅB
Og Herren sa til meg: Hva ser du, Amos? Jeg svarte: Et blylodd. Da sa Herren: Se, jeg vil bruke et blylodd iblant mitt folk Israel; jeg vil ikke lenger bære over med dets synd.
OTB
Og Herren spurte meg, “Hva ser du, Amos?” Jeg svarte, “En loddlinje.” Da sa Herren, “Se, jeg setter en loddlinje blant mitt folk Israel; jeg vil ikke spare dem lenger.
B1930
Og Herren sa til mig: Hvad ser du, Amos? Jeg svarte: Et blylodd. Da sa Herren: Se, jeg vil bruke et blylodd iblandt mitt folk Israel; jeg vil ikke lenger bære over med dets synd.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Amos 8:2

    “Amos, what do you see?” He asked. “A basket of summer fruit,” I replied. So the LORD said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel; I will no longer spare them.”

    Read in context
  • Lamentations 2:8

    The LORD determined to destroy the wall of the Daughter of Zion. He stretched out a measuring line and did not withdraw His hand from destroying. He made the ramparts and walls lament; together they waste away.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 15:6

    You have forsaken Me, declares the LORD. You have turned your back. So I will stretch out My hand against you and I will destroy you; I am weary of showing compassion.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 7:2–9

    “O son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says to the land of Israel: ‘The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 28:17

    I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place.

    Read in context
  • Micah 7:18

    Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance— who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 21:13

    I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes out a bowl—wiping it and turning it upside down.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 5:2

    “What do you see?” asked the angel. “I see a flying scroll,” I replied, “twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.”

    Read in context