מִשְׁקֶלֶת
a weight, i.e. a plummet (with line attached)
Definition
מִשְׁקֶלֶת refers to a builder's plummet, a weighted line used to ensure walls are perfectly vertical. In the Bible, it symbolizes God's standard of justice and righteousness by which He measures human actions. In 2 Kings 21:13, God declares He will stretch the 'plummet' over Jerusalem to assess its sin, leading to judgment. In Isaiah 28:17, God says He will make justice the 'plummet' and righteousness the 'level,' establishing a foundation of divine order.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice, both in prophetic contexts of divine judgment. In 2 Kings 21:13, it is used metaphorically as God's instrument for measuring the sin of Jerusalem under King Manasseh. In Isaiah 28:17, it is paired with 'justice' (מִשְׁפָּט) as part of a cornerstone metaphor, describing God's establishment of a new, righteous order. Both uses are in books of prophecy addressing national covenant failure.
Etymology
Derived from the root שָׁקַל (sh-q-l), meaning 'to weigh.' It is the feminine form of מִשְׁקָל (mishqal, H4948), meaning 'weight' or 'measure.' The -ת ending typically indicates an instrument or tool, thus 'a thing for weighing/measuring.' It is conceptually related to מַשְׁקוֹף (mashqoph, H4947), a 'lintel' or threshold, another architectural term involving measurement.
Semantic Range
The plummet is a powerful image of God's perfect standard. It teaches that God evaluates human societies and leaders against His immutable justice and righteousness, not human opinions. Its use in judgment prophecies (2 Kings 21:13, Isaiah 28:17) underscores that God's moral order is the ultimate foundation for any lasting community. Understanding this concrete tool enriches the metaphor of God as the divine builder and judge.
In ancient Israelite construction, a plummet was a vital tool for ensuring a wall's stability and alignment. It typically consisted of a cord with a heavy stone or metal weight. This tangible image made the prophetic metaphors of divine measurement immediately understandable to an agrarian society familiar with building. The concept contrasts with modern, less tangible ideas of 'standards' or 'benchmarks.'
מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, H4941) — Often translated 'justice' or 'judgment'; the standard or principle itself, whereas מִשְׁקֶלֶת is the tool for applying it. פֶּלֶס (peles, H6425) — A 'balance' or 'scale' used for weighing, another instrument of measurement, but typically for horizontal leveling or commercial weighing.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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