2 Kings 21:13

KJV

And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will stretch {H5186} over Jerusalem {H3389} the line {H6957} of Samaria {H8111}, and the plummet {H4949} of the house {H1004} of Ahab {H256}: and I will wipe {H4229} Jerusalem {H3389} as a man wipeth {H4229} a dish {H6747}, wiping {H4229} it, and turning {H2015} it upside down {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will measure Yerushalayim with the same measuring cord that I used over Shomron, the same plumbline as for the house of Ach'av. I will scour Yerushalayim clean just as one scours a plate, scouring it and then turning it upside down.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab; and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 21:13 stands as a chilling divine decree, pronouncing God's unwavering judgment upon Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. This pronouncement, delivered during the exceptionally wicked reign of King Manasseh, employs potent and vivid metaphors to underscore the absolute certainty, precision, and thoroughness of the impending destruction and removal of the city's inhabitants, signaling a complete reversal of its former glory and a severe consequence for persistent rebellion against the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal prophetic declaration embedded within the narrative of King Manasseh's reign (2 Kings 21:1-18). Manasseh, the son of the righteous King Hezekiah, tragically reversed his father's reforms, leading Judah into unprecedented depths of idolatry and wickedness. The preceding verses detail his abominable practices: rebuilding high places, erecting altars to Baal, worshipping the host of heaven, practicing child sacrifice, and engaging in divination and necromancy. The Lord had repeatedly sent prophets to warn Judah, but they refused to listen, and Manasseh "seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel" as recorded in [2 Kings 21:9](/2_kings/21-9 "2 Kings 21:9 - Manasseh Leads Judah Astray"). This verse, therefore, serves as God's direct and formal response to Judah's persistent and egregious sin, signaling that their covenant unfaithfulness had reached a critical threshold, necessitating severe divine intervention that would culminate in the city's destruction and the people's exile, a theme further developed in [2 Kings 24-25](/2_kings/24-25 "2 Kings 24-25 - Judah's Final Kings and the Fall of Jerusalem").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Manasseh's reign (c. 697-642 BC) was one of the longest and most religiously corrupt in Judah's history. During this period, Judah was largely a vassal state to the powerful Assyrian Empire, and some of Manasseh's idolatrous practices, such as the worship of the "host of heaven," likely reflected Assyrian religious influence. The "line" and "plummet" mentioned in the verse were common building tools, culturally understood as instruments for ensuring precision, straightness, and levelness in construction. Their metaphorical use here would have immediately conveyed to the original audience the idea of a meticulous and unyielding standard of judgment. The reference to "Samaria" and "the house of Ahab" would have evoked recent and traumatic historical memories: Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, had been utterly destroyed by Assyria in 722 BC due to its idolatry and unfaithfulness, as vividly recounted in [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Samaria"). The "house of Ahab" represented a dynasty synonymous with unparalleled wickedness and met a violent, divinely ordained end, detailed in [1 Kings 21:20-24](/1_kings/21-20-24 "1 Kings 21:20-24 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab") and [2 Kings 9-10](/2_kings/9-10 "2 Kings 9-10 - Jehu's Purge of Ahab's House"). By invoking these precedents, God communicated that Judah's judgment would be equally thorough and devastating, a stark warning that even His chosen city was not exempt from the consequences of covenant breaking.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**. Despite Jerusalem's status as the chosen city and the location of the Temple, God's holiness demands accountability for sin, even from His covenant people. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Consequences**, demonstrating that persistent disobedience to the Mosaic covenant, especially the prohibition against idolatry, inevitably leads to severe judgment, mirroring the warnings in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Thirdly, the use of Samaria and Ahab as benchmarks underscores the theme of **Divine Consistency in Judgment**, illustrating that God applies the same righteous standard to all who rebel against Him, regardless of their privileged status or historical lineage. Finally, the imagery of "wiping a dish" conveys a theme of **Thorough Cleansing and Removal**, signifying that the impending judgment is not merely punitive but also serves as a radical purge, preparing for a potential future restoration of a purified remnant, a concept often explored by prophets like Jeremiah, particularly in passages like [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity") and [Jeremiah 29](/jeremiah/29 "Jeremiah 29 - Letter to the Exiles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Line (Hebrew: קָו, _qav'_):** This term (H6957) refers to a measuring line or cord, typically used by builders to ensure straightness and accuracy in construction. In prophetic contexts, it often symbolizes a standard or rule by which God measures or judges. Here, it signifies a precise and unyielding divine standard of judgment, specifically the one applied to Samaria, indicating that Jerusalem will be measured by the same severe criteria of unfaithfulness that led to the Northern Kingdom's downfall.
* **Plummet (Hebrew: מִשְׁקֹלֶת, _mishqoleth'_):** A plumb line (H4949), used to determine vertical alignment and levelness, ensuring structural integrity. Like the "line," it denotes exactness and precision in assessment. Its association with "the house of Ahab" (H256, referring to the notoriously wicked dynasty) further emphasizes that God's judgment on Jerusalem will be as meticulously applied and as devastating as the judgment that utterly annihilated Ahab's lineage, leaving no room for deviation from His righteous standard.
* **Wipe (Hebrew: מָחָה, _mâchâh'_):** This verb (H4229) carries a strong sense of erasure, blotting out, or complete removal. It is used elsewhere in scripture for wiping away tears, wiping out a name, or even wiping out humanity from the face of the earth (e.g., [Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Genesis 7:23 - The Flood Waters Destroy All Life")). In this context, it vividly portrays a total, comprehensive, and irreversible act of cleansing and emptying Jerusalem (H3389), leaving nothing behind, much like a dish (H6747) that is not merely cleaned but also inverted (H2015, H6440) to ensure it is completely empty and rendered useless for its former purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria":** This clause declares God's intent to apply the exact same standard of judgment to Jerusalem that He previously used against Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Samaria was utterly destroyed and its people exiled due to their widespread idolatry and rejection of God's covenant. By "stretching the line," God indicates a meticulous, precise, and unsparing measurement of Jerusalem's sin against the benchmark of Samaria's wickedness, implying an identical, devastating outcome where the city would be found wanting and subject to the same fate.
* **"and the plummet of the house of Ahab":** This phrase further emphasizes the rigor and severity of the impending judgment. The "house of Ahab" was synonymous with extreme wickedness, particularly through King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's promotion of Baal worship and their persecution of God's prophets. God's judgment against this dynasty was absolute and violent, culminating in their complete eradication. By applying this "plummet" to Jerusalem, God signifies that His judgment will be as exact, unyielding, and completely destructive as it was against Ahab's lineage, leaving no room for escape or mitigation for Judah's persistent rebellion.
* **"and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down":** This powerful simile illustrates the thoroughness and totality of Jerusalem's impending desolation. Just as a dish is meticulously wiped clean of all residue and then inverted to ensure it is completely empty and nothing remains within, so too would Jerusalem be purged of its inhabitants, its glory, and its very essence. This imagery conveys a complete emptying, a radical removal of its population through exile and death, and the overturning of its established order, leading to the Babylonian exile and the destruction of the city and Temple. It signifies a complete reversal of its status and purpose.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Metaphor** and **Simile**, creating powerful and memorable imagery to convey God's impending judgment. The "line of Samaria" and "plummet of the house of Ahab" are potent **Metaphors** for the precise and unyielding standard of divine judgment. These are not literal tools but represent the historical precedents of God's severe judgment on past wickedness, applied now to Jerusalem, indicating that its fate will mirror those who preceded it in rebellion. The phrase "I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down" employs a vivid **Simile**, comparing God's action to a common, relatable household chore. This **Simile** is further intensified through **Repetition** ("wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down"), emphasizing the completeness, finality, and irreversible nature of the cleansing. The act of God "stretching" and "wiping" also demonstrates **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human actions to God to make His divine intent more comprehensible and impactful to a human audience. The overall effect is one of inescapable, precise, and total destruction, leaving no doubt about the severity of God's righteous wrath against unrepentant sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores God's unwavering holiness and justice, revealing that His covenant relationship with Israel does not negate the consequences of persistent sin, particularly idolatry and rebellion. Jerusalem, the city chosen by God and the site of His Temple, was not immune to divine judgment when its inhabitants, led by their king, plunged into egregious wickedness. The application of the "line of Samaria" and "plummet of Ahab" demonstrates God's consistent standard of righteousness across all His people, North and South, and His commitment to upholding His moral law. This judgment, while severe, is ultimately an act of purification, designed to remove the spiritual defilement that had permeated the nation, paving the way for a future remnant to return and be restored to a right relationship with Him. It serves as a stark reminder that God's patience has limits, and His warnings, delivered through His prophets, are not to be trifled with. It also highlights the principle that privilege (being God's chosen city) does not exempt one from accountability; in fact, it often increases it.

* [Isaiah 28:17](/isaiah/28-17 "Isaiah 28:17 - Justice as a Line, Righteousness as a Plummet")
* [Lamentations 2:8](/lamentations/2-8 "Lamentations 2:8 - The Lord Determined to Destroy Jerusalem's Wall")
* [Jeremiah 19:10-11](/jeremiah/19-10-11 "Jeremiah 19:10-11 - The Potter's Jar and Jerusalem's Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The message of 2 Kings 21:13 resonates with profound implications for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of God's unchanging character. It highlights that God is not only merciful and patient but also perfectly holy and just, and sin, particularly persistent and unrepentant rebellion, carries severe consequences. For us, this means taking seriously our own spiritual purity and the call to live in obedience to God's commands. Just as Jerusalem was "wiped clean" of its abominations, we are called to allow God to cleanse us from the idols and impurities in our own lives, whether they be overt sins or subtle attachments that draw our hearts away from Him. This verse also serves as a sober warning regarding the influence of leadership; Manasseh's choices had catastrophic national repercussions, underscoring the immense responsibility of those in positions of spiritual or societal authority. Ultimately, while the immediate context is judgment, the broader biblical narrative always points to God's redemptive purpose, even through judgment, to purify a people for Himself, offering hope for restoration to those who genuinely repent and turn to Him. We are invited to examine our own hearts and communities, ensuring that our devotion remains singularly focused on the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be accumulating "spiritual defilement" that needs to be "wiped clean" by God?**
* **How does the certainty and precision of God's judgment, as depicted here, impact my understanding of His holiness and justice, and how does that understanding shape my walk with Him?**
* **What "idols" (anything that takes God's rightful place) might I be allowing in my life or community that could invite divine displeasure or hinder spiritual growth?**
* **How can I, as an individual, contribute to the spiritual health and purity of my community or church, learning from the negative example of Manasseh's leadership and embracing a posture of humble obedience?**

### FAQ

**Why does God use such harsh and vivid imagery to describe His judgment on Jerusalem?**

Answer: God uses such harsh and vivid imagery to convey the absolute certainty, precision, and thoroughness of His impending judgment. The metaphors of the "line of Samaria" and "plummet of the house of Ahab" emphasize that His judgment is not arbitrary but measured against a consistent standard of righteousness, similar to how a builder uses tools to ensure perfect alignment. This communicates that Jerusalem's sin was not overlooked but meticulously assessed. The imagery of "wiping a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down" powerfully communicates a complete emptying and removal, leaving no doubt about the totality of the devastation. This stark language serves as a severe warning, underscoring the gravity of Judah's persistent sin and the inevitable consequences of rebellion against a holy God. It aims to shock the audience into recognizing the severity of their spiritual condition and the seriousness of divine wrath, demonstrating that God's patience has a limit and His warnings are to be taken seriously, as seen in the broader narrative of [2 Kings](/2_kings "2 Kings - The History of the Kings of Israel and Judah").

**What was the significance of referencing "the line of Samaria" and "the plummet of the house of Ahab"?**

Answer: These references were profoundly significant and deeply unsettling to the people of Judah. "Samaria" was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had been utterly destroyed and its people exiled by the Assyrians in 722 BC due to their pervasive idolatry and unfaithfulness to God's covenant, a historical event detailed in [2 Kings 17:1-23](/2_kings/17-1-23 "2 Kings 17:1-23 - The Fall of Samaria and Exile of Israel"). Similarly, "the house of Ahab" represented a dynasty in the Northern Kingdom that was notorious for its extreme wickedness, particularly under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who aggressively promoted Baal worship. God's judgment on Ahab's house was complete and violent, as prophesied by Elijah and fulfilled by Jehu, found in [1 Kings 21:20-24](/1_kings/21-20-24 "1 Kings 21:20-24 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab") and [2 Kings 9:1-10:36](/2_kings/9-1-10-36 "2 Kings 9-10 - Jehu's Anointing and Purge"). By applying these "line" and "plummet" standards to Jerusalem, God was declaring that Judah, despite being the Southern Kingdom and having the Temple, had reached a similar level of spiritual depravity as their northern counterparts and would face an equally devastating, precise, and inescapable judgment. It served as a historical precedent and a chilling prophecy of their own impending doom, emphasizing God's consistent justice for all who rebel against Him.

**Did Jerusalem ever recover from this "wiping" or judgment?**

Answer: Yes, Jerusalem did recover, though not without immense suffering and a significant period of exile. The "wiping" prophesied in this verse was fulfilled with the Babylonian conquest, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon, beginning in 586 BC, as tragically recounted in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"). However, this judgment was not God's final word. After approximately 70 years of exile, a remnant of the Jewish people was allowed to return to Judah under the decrees of the Persian King Cyrus, as described in [Ezra 1](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - Cyrus's Decree for Return"). They rebuilt the Temple ([Ezra 3-6](/ezra/3-6 "Ezra 3-6 - Rebuilding the Temple")) and later the city walls ([Nehemiah 1-6](/nehemiah/1-6 "Nehemiah 1-6 - Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls")). While the restored community faced many challenges and never fully regained the political independence or glory of the Davidic kingdom, this return demonstrated God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ultimate purpose to preserve a remnant for Himself, even through the crucible of judgment. This cycle of sin, judgment, and restoration is a recurring theme throughout biblical history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The severe judgment pronounced upon Jerusalem in [2 Kings 21:13](/2_kings/21-13 "2 Kings 21:13 - God's Judgment on Jerusalem"), with its imagery of thorough "wiping" and precise measurement, foreshadows the ultimate and perfect cleansing from sin that only Christ can accomplish. The old covenant system, with its rituals and judgments, could only temporarily cover sin or demonstrate its consequences, as seen in Jerusalem's destruction. Yet, the very need for such a radical "wiping" highlights humanity's profound spiritual defilement and inability to meet God's holy standard. Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, He became the perfect fulfillment of the "line" and "plummet," meeting God's righteous standard of justice for humanity's sin and offering propitiation for our transgressions ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God Presented Christ as a Propitiation")). His blood truly "wipes clean" the conscience from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")), offering a complete and eternal purification that the destruction of Jerusalem could only symbolize. Unlike the earthly Jerusalem, which was repeatedly defiled and judged, the New Jerusalem, the bride of Christ, will be eternally pure and unblemished, for it is built upon the perfect and everlasting sacrifice of the [cornerstone, Jesus Christ](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Cornerstone"), ensuring that no sin or defilement will ever again necessitate a "wiping" or "turning upside down" ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Nothing Impure Will Enter New Jerusalem")). He is the one who makes all things new, providing a final and complete cleansing for all who believe ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - He Who Sits on the Throne Says, 'Behold, I Am Making All Things New'")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 7:7

Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall [made] by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

Amos 7:8

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:

Lamentations 2:8

The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.

Isaiah 34:11

But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.

Ezekiel 23:31

Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister; therefore will I give her cup into thine hand.

Ezekiel 23:34

Thou shalt even drink it and suck [it] out, and thou shalt break the sherds thereof, and pluck off thine own breasts: for I have spoken [it], saith the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 25:9

Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.