MEASURING LINE (mezhqtr-ing lin). See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
NEAT (met). This word does not appear to be used in the Bible in the sense of animal food, which is denoted uniformly by "flesh." Perhaps the following may be exceptions: "Savory meat" (Gen. xxvii :4) ; "corn and bread and meat" (xlv :23).
FiguratiVe. (1) Christ's mediatorial work is represented as his meat; it was more delightful to him than his necessary food (John iv :32, 34)• He in his person, righteousness, and fullness, and God in him, are represented as meat; as true and satisfying food, the receiving and enjoyment of which nourishes up men's souls to eternal life (John vi :55; Cor. x :3 ; Ps. xxxiv :8). (2) The truths of God in the Scripture are meat; they refresh and nourish men's souls; and the deeper mysteries are strong meat, which can only edify and nourish strong Christians (Jer. xv :16; Heb. v:r2, 14). (3) Ceremonial ordinances are called meats and drinks; much of them related to eat ables (Heb. xiii:9; Col. ii:t6). (4) The king dom of God consists not in meat and drink, but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost: the gospel-dispensation does not relate to meats and drinks; nor does true inward religion consist in observances of these, but in applying Christ's righteousness, and studying to have fel lowship with and conformity to God (Rom. xiv:
t7). (5) The fruit of believers is for meat and medicine; their instructions and bob, examples are edifying (Ezek. xlvii :12). (6) Men are meat to others, when they are given up to be destroyed by them (Ps. xliv :it, and liii :4 ; Num. xiv :9, and xxiv :8). (7) Sin is nzeat to men ; they de light in it, and promise themselves nourishment from it ; but it becomes the gall of asps within them (Job xx :14). (8) Sorrowful meat, is coarse provision, which mourners ate (Job vi:7). (9) Tears are meat, when sorrow takes away all ap petite for meat (Ps. xlii :3). (to) The year of release was meat for the Hebrews; they ate what grew of its own accord in it (Lev. xxv :6). (t Israel's ordinary food, which God diminished, was their accustomed prosperity (Ezek. xvi :27).