אֲנָךְ (a.nakh)
a.nakh
plumbline
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun anakh refers to a plummet or lead weight suspended on a cord, used as a tool for establishing vertical alignment in construction. In the ancient world, builders relied on this simple device to ensure walls stood true and straight, making it a practical instrument of precision rather than decoration. Its primary function was to detect deviation from the intended line.
This word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the prophetic book of Amos. In Amos 7:7-8, God shows the prophet a vision of a plumb line set against a wall, declaring that He will no longer spare Israel because they have failed to meet His standard of justice. The imagery transforms a construction tool into a powerful symbol of divine judgment, measuring the nation’s moral integrity against an unyielding benchmark.
The rarity of the term highlights its specific rhetorical power. By choosing anakh instead of more common words for measurement or law, the text emphasizes the physical reality of God’s standard. It suggests that righteousness is not abstract but tangible, requiring a straightness of life that can be visibly verified, much like a wall built with care.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anakh refers to a simple lead weight on a cord, used by ancient builders to ensure walls stood perfectly straight. In Amos, this everyday tool becomes a vivid picture of God’s standard for His people. It reminds us that faith is not about vague feelings but about a life that aligns with truth.
When we face challenges or feel distant from God, this image offers comfort. We do not have to guess what is right; the standard is clear and steady. Just as a builder checks a wall for plumbness, we can look to Scripture to see where our lives stand. This clarity helps us grow in integrity without fear.
May you find peace in knowing that God’s ways are true and reliable. His guidance is as solid as the earth beneath us, offering a firm foundation for your daily walk.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tin4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲנָ֑ךְ2×
- אֲנָךְ֙1×
- אֲנָֽךְ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Amos 7:7
Thus he showed me: behold, the Lord stood beside a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand.
This verse introduces the visual of God holding the plumb line, establishing Him as the active judge who sets the standard for His people.
-
Amos 7:8
Yahweh 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.
Here God declares He will set the plumb line among Israel, signaling that their deviation from justice has reached a point where judgment is imminent.