What does 2 Kings 21:13 mean?
"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." - 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."
This verse is from the book of 2 Kings, which is part of the historical books in the Old Testament. In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to King Manasseh of Judah, warning of the impending judgment that will come upon Jerusalem because of the wickedness and idolatry that had taken root in the city.
The imagery used in this verse is powerful and vivid. The "line of Samaria" and the "plummet of the house of Ahab" are instruments used for measuring and leveling, symbolizing the standard by which God will judge Jerusalem. The reference to Samaria and the house of Ahab is significant, as both were associated with idolatry and rebellion against God. By invoking these symbols, God is making it clear that Jerusalem will be judged according to the same standard as these wicked places.
The act of wiping Jerusalem "as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down" speaks to the thoroughness and completeness of the judgment that will come upon the city. This is not a gentle wiping or cleaning, but a total destruction and overturning of everything that is within it. The language used here is reminiscent of the language of cleansing and purging, but in this case, it is a cleansing by means of judgment and destruction.
The larger context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. King Manasseh, to whom this prophecy is addressed, was one of the most wicked and idolatrous kings of Judah. He led the people in turning away from the true worship of God to engage in idolatry, witchcraft, and other abominable practices. As a result, God pronounced judgment on him and on the kingdom of Judah.
The themes present in this verse are those of judgment, idolatry, and the consequences of sin. Throughout the Bible, we see the consistent message that idolatry and rebellion against God will ultimately lead to destruction and judgment. Here, Jerusalem is being warned of the impending judgment that will come upon it because of its idolatry and sin. This serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of turning away from God and the consequences that follow.
The symbolism in this verse serves to emphasize the seriousness and thoroughness of the judgment that will come upon Jerusalem. By using imagery of measuring and leveling, as well as the act of wiping and turning upside down, God is conveying the certainty and completeness of the destruction that will befall the city.
Ultimately, this verse serves as a warning and a call to repentance. While the judgment pronounced here is severe, it is also an opportunity for the people of Jerusalem to turn back to God and avoid the impending disaster. It is a reminder that God's judgment is just and that He will not tolerate sin and rebellion forever.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 21:13 is a powerful and sobering verse that speaks to the consequences of sin and idolatry. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, God warns of the impending judgment that will come upon Jerusalem because of its wickedness. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of turning away from God and the need for repentance. It is a call to the people of Jerusalem to turn back to God and avoid the destruction that awaits them.
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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."
"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." - 2 Kings 21:13
2 Kings 2:21
Habakkuk 2:1-3
2 Chronicles 13:21 - "¶ But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters."
2 Kings 13:21 - "And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet."
2 Kings 13:13 - "And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel."
2 Chronicles 21:13 - "But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:"
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"
2 Kings 21:21 - "And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:"
2 Kings 11:21 - "Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 21:23 - "¶ And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house."
2 Kings 13:22 - "¶ But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz."
2 Samuel 13:21 - "¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."
2 Kings 21:22 - "And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD."
2 Kings 13:8 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 21:5 - "And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD."
2 Kings 20:21 - "And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 21:20 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did."
1 Kings 2:21 - "And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife."
2 Kings 19:13 - "Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?"
2 Kings 21:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel."
2 Kings 3:21 - "¶ And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border."
2 Kings 2:13 - "He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;"
2 Kings 13:12 - "And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 21:26 - "And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 23:21 - "¶ And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant."