Isaiah 28:17

KJV

Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

KJV (with Strong's)

Judgment {H4941} also will I lay {H7760} to the line {H6957}, and righteousness {H6666} to the plummet {H4949}: and the hail {H1259} shall sweep away {H3261} the refuge {H4268} of lies {H3577}, and the waters {H4325} shall overflow {H7857} the hiding place {H5643}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will make justice the plumbline and righteousness the plumb-bob; hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, water will overflow the hiding place,

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 28:17 presents a powerful divine declaration of God's unwavering commitment to precise judgment and absolute righteousness, which He will apply with the meticulousness of a master builder. Through vivid and contrasting imagery, the prophet reveals the utter futility of human-devised securities—"refuges of lies"—that seek to evade divine accountability, emphasizing that all such deceptions will inevitably be swept away by overwhelming forces of God's righteous wrath, leaving no hiding place untouched.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within a broader prophetic oracle (Isaiah 28:1-29) that initially condemns the spiritual arrogance and moral decay of Ephraim, the northern kingdom of Israel, before shifting its focus to the complacent and deceptive leaders of Judah in Jerusalem. The preceding verses lament Ephraim's fading glory due to their drunkenness and spiritual blindness. Crucially, [Isaiah 28:15](/isaiah/28-15 "Isaiah 28:15 - The Covenant with Death") highlights the arrogant boast of Jerusalem's elite: they claim to have forged a "covenant with death" and an "agreement with Sheol," believing their cunning political maneuvers and reliance on falsehoods will protect them from any impending divine calamity. In stark contrast, [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Precious Cornerstone") introduces God's own divinely appointed foundation—a tested, precious cornerstone laid in Zion—which stands as the only true and secure refuge. Verse 17 immediately follows, serving as God's direct and forceful response to those who reject His true foundation and instead place their trust in a "refuge of lies," asserting that His judgment will meticulously expose and utterly dismantle all such false securities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during the tumultuous 8th century BCE, a period marked by the relentless expansion of the Assyrian Empire. Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah faced immense political and military pressure, often resorting to seeking alliances with powerful, but ultimately unreliable, nations like Egypt or Assyria, rather than trusting in the Lord. These alliances were frequently characterized by deceptive diplomacy, broken promises, and a rejection of God's covenant, which the prophets consistently condemned. The "refuge of lies" likely refers to these treacherous political treaties and the self-deceptive belief among the leaders that their shrewdness or alliances could circumvent divine judgment. The imagery of the "line" (qav) and "plummet" (mishqeleth) is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern construction practices. These tools were indispensable for ensuring the straightness, levelness, and vertical integrity of buildings, making them potent metaphors for the precision, unwavering standards, and absolute truth of God's judgment in a society intimately familiar with such craftsmanship.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 28:17 significantly contributes to several profound theological themes woven throughout the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, asserting God's absolute authority to judge nations and individuals according to His unchangeable and perfect standards. His judgment is not arbitrary but precise, akin to a master builder's careful measurements. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Futility of False Security**, exposing the inherent emptiness and ultimate collapse of human schemes, political alliances, and self-reliance when they are founded upon anything other than God's truth. The "refuge of lies" serves as a potent indictment of any trust placed outside of the Lord, a theme reiterated in warnings against relying on foreign powers (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children")). Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Unwavering Righteousness**, emphasizing that all His actions are perfectly consistent with His holy character, which demands justice and truth. This stands in stark contrast to the pervasive unrighteousness and deceit of humanity, a contrast frequently drawn in Isaiah (e.g., [Isaiah 5:7](/isaiah/5-7 "Isaiah 5:7 - The Vineyard of the Lord")). Finally, the destructive imagery of "hail" and "overflowing waters" powerfully conveys the **Inevitability and Overwhelming Nature of Divine Judgment** for those who persist in rebellion against God's standards.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** From H4941, this term denotes a verdict pronounced judicially, encompassing a sentence, a formal decree, a law, justice, or even a right or privilege. In Isaiah 28:17, "judgment" signifies God's authoritative, legal, and decisive action. It is not merely a consequence but a divinely ordained and executed decree, reflecting His just character and His role as the ultimate judge over all creation.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** From H6666, this word refers to rightness (abstractly), rectitude (subjectively), justice (objectively), virtue (morally), and even prosperity (figuratively). Here, "righteousness" indicates God's unwavering moral standard and His inherent character of uprightness. It is the perfect measure by which all things are evaluated, forming the very foundation of His judicial pronouncements. God's judgment is inextricably linked to His perfect righteousness.
* **Lies (Hebrew, _kâzâb'_):** From H3577, this term signifies falsehood, untruth, deceit, and even idolatry. In this context, "refuge of lies" speaks to the deceptive nature of human-devised securities—whether political treaties, false gods, or self-righteousness—that offer an illusory sense of protection against God's judgment. These are not merely mistakes but deliberate deceptions and untruths that ultimately betray those who trust in them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet":** This opening clause employs a powerful architectural metaphor. God declares that He will apply His "judgment" (_mishpâṭ_) with the precision of a builder's "line" (_qav_), ensuring perfect straightness and alignment. Similarly, His "righteousness" (_tsᵉdâqâh_) will be measured with the exactness of a "plummet" (_mishqeleth_), guaranteeing perfect verticality and stability. This signifies that God's justice is not arbitrary, capricious, or negotiable, but absolute, meticulous, and perfectly aligned with His holy character. Every action, every decision, and every human construct will be tested against these unbending, divine standards.
* **"and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies":** Shifting abruptly from architectural imagery to natural disaster, this clause illustrates the destructive power of God's judgment. "Hail" (_bârâd_) symbolizes an overwhelming, sudden, and inescapable force of divine wrath. This force will "sweep away" (_yâʻâh_) completely and decisively the "refuge of lies" (_machăçeh kâzâb_)—any false security, deceptive alliance, or self-made protection that humanity has constructed apart from God's truth. These human contrivances, though seemingly strong, are utterly vulnerable to God's intervention and will offer no genuine protection.
* **"and the waters shall overflow the hiding place":** This final clause reinforces the previous one with another image of overwhelming natural destruction. "Waters" (_mayim_), often symbolic of chaos, judgment, or overwhelming forces in biblical literature, will "overflow" (_shâṭaph_) and inundate the "hiding place" (_çêther_). This "hiding place" is synonymous with the "refuge of lies," representing any secret, deceptive, or seemingly secure place where people attempt to escape God's scrutiny or consequences. The imagery conveys the utter futility of attempting to hide from or withstand God's precise and overwhelming judgment, as no human-made sanctuary can endure His righteous intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 28:17 is richly endowed with powerful **Imagery** that vividly portrays God's actions and the fate of human deception. The verse commences with a striking **Metaphor**, comparing God's application of judgment and righteousness to the use of a builder's **Line** and **Plummet**. These tools are not merely decorative; they are instruments of precision and exactitude, underscoring the non-negotiable, perfectly calibrated, and unyielding nature of divine standards. This is a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions (laying out a line, using a plummet) to God to make His abstract qualities (justice, righteousness) more comprehensible and relatable. The second half of the verse shifts dramatically to **Symbolism** and **Hyperbole** with the destructive forces of "hail" and "overflowing waters." Hail symbolizes sudden, devastating, and inescapable judgment, while overflowing waters represent an overwhelming, cleansing, and obliterating force. Both are natural phenomena magnified to convey the absolute power and comprehensiveness of God's wrath against falsehood. The "refuge of lies" and "hiding place" are also symbolic, representing any human-devised security that is built on deception rather than divine truth. The entire verse demonstrates striking **Parallelism**, particularly in the second half, where "the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies" is mirrored by "and the waters shall overflow the hiding place," reinforcing the same message of inevitable and total destruction through different but complementary images of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 28:17 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's justice and the ultimate futility of human rebellion. It asserts that God's standards are not only precise and unwavering, but also that His judgment is an inevitable consequence for those who choose deception and self-reliance over His truth. This verse highlights the divine attribute of impeccable righteousness as the foundation of all His dealings with humanity. It serves as a stark reminder that all human attempts to create security apart from God are ultimately fragile and will be exposed and swept away by His righteous scrutiny. The "refuge of lies" is a universal concept, encompassing any false ideology, material wealth, political power, or self-righteousness that people trust in instead of the living God.

* [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches do not profit in the day of wrath")
* [Psalm 11:5-6](/psalms/11-5-6 "Psalm 11:5-6 - The Lord tests the righteous")
* [Matthew 7:26-27](/matthew/7-26-27 "Matthew 7:26-27 - The House on Sand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 28:17 compels us to critically examine the foundations upon which we build our lives and our hopes. In a world constantly offering fleeting trends, deceptive promises, and temporary solutions, this verse serves as an eternal plumb line, challenging us to ask: What constitutes *my* "refuge of lies"? Are we subtly relying on our financial security, our social status, our intellectual prowess, or even our religious performance as a shield against life's uncertainties or God's ultimate judgment? This passage reminds us that any security not rooted in God's unchanging truth and righteousness is inherently unstable and destined to fail. It calls us to a posture of humility and repentance, urging us to dismantle any false refuges we have constructed and instead to build our lives on the solid, unshakeable foundation that God Himself provides. True security is found only in aligning our lives with His perfect standards and trusting in His unfailing grace, knowing that His judgment is precise and His righteousness is absolute.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "refuges of lies" or "hiding places" in my own life that I might be trusting in more than God?**
* **How does the imagery of the "line" and "plummet" challenge my understanding of God's justice and righteousness, and how should this precision impact my daily living?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to surrender my own deceptive schemes and fully trust in God's truth and His provision?**
* **How can I actively build my life on God's unwavering standards, rather than on the shifting sands of human wisdom or worldly security, and what practical steps can I take today?**

### FAQ
**What does "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet" mean?**

Answer: This phrase uses the vivid imagery of ancient builders' tools to convey God's absolute precision and unwavering standards in His judgment. A "line" (like a measuring tape or taut cord) and a "plummet" (a weight on a string used to ensure perfect vertical straightness) were essential for constructing buildings that were true, level, and upright. By declaring that He will lay "judgment to the line" and "righteousness to the plummet," God asserts that His divine assessment and actions will be perfectly accurate, just, and aligned with His holy character. His judgment is not arbitrary, emotional, or negotiable, but meticulously measured against His perfect standards of truth and justice. It signifies that every human action, every societal structure, and every individual life will ultimately be evaluated against God's unbending moral and ethical plumb line, ensuring that His verdict is always perfectly just.

**Why are "hail" and "overflowing waters" used to describe God's judgment?**

Answer: "Hail" and "overflowing waters" are powerful natural phenomena that symbolize overwhelming, inescapable, and destructive forces. In biblical literature, they are frequently employed to depict divine wrath and judgment. Hail represents a sudden, devastating, and unavoidable calamity that sweeps away everything in its path with crushing force. Similarly, overflowing waters, like a catastrophic flood, signify an irresistible force that inundates, obliterates, and leaves no place for escape. When God declares that "the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place," He is emphasizing the utter futility and fragility of any human-devised security or deception that attempts to withstand His righteous judgment. What humans construct as a safe haven apart from God will prove to be no match for His decisive and comprehensive intervention. This imagery underscores the inevitability and totality of divine judgment against falsehood and rebellion, leaving no place to hide, much like the great flood in [Genesis 7](/genesis/7 "Genesis 7 - The Great Flood") left no escape for those outside the ark.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 28:17 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies God's judgment and righteousness. While this verse speaks of God's judgment sweeping away false refuges, it stands in immediate and profound contrast to [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Precious Cornerstone"), which introduces the "precious cornerstone" laid in Zion. This cornerstone is universally understood in the New Testament as a direct prophecy of Jesus Christ, the very foundation upon which God's true and eternal temple is built (e.g., [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Cornerstone"), [1 Peter 2:6-8](/1_peter/2-6-8 "1 Peter 2:6-8 - Christ, the Living Stone")). Jesus is the one upon whom God's perfect "line" of judgment and "plummet" of righteousness perfectly rest, for He alone lived a life of flawless obedience and fulfilled all righteousness, even to the point of baptism ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills All Righteousness")). He is the true and only "refuge" for humanity, the "hiding place" that will never be swept away by divine wrath. For those who build their lives upon Him, trusting in His atoning sacrifice, they are not subject to the "hail" or "overflowing waters" of judgment, because Christ Himself bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment on the cross ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Thus, the very judgment promised in Isaiah 28:17, which destroys the refuge of lies, simultaneously establishes Christ as the eternal and unshakeable refuge for all who believe, demonstrating God's perfect justice and boundless mercy converging in the person of His Son.

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

2 Kings 21:13

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.

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 7:9

And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

Revelation 16:21

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Jeremiah 7:14

Therefore will I do unto [this] house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.

Romans 2:2

But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

Romans 2:5

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;