Isaiah 44:13
New International Version
The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.

New Living Translation
Then the wood-carver measures a block of wood and draws a pattern on it. He works with chisel and plane and carves it into a human figure. He gives it human beauty and puts it in a little shrine.

English Standard Version
The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house.

Berean Standard Bible
The woodworker extends a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He fashions it in the likeness of man, like man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.

King James Bible
The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

New King James Version
The craftsman stretches out his rule, He marks one out with chalk; He fashions it with a plane, He marks it out with the compass, And makes it like the figure of a man, According to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house.

New American Standard Bible
The craftsman of wood extends a measuring line; he outlines it with a marker. He works it with carving knives and outlines it with a compass, and makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of mankind, so that it may sit in a house.

NASB 1995
Another shapes wood, he extends a measuring line; he outlines it with red chalk. He works it with planes and outlines it with a compass, and makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of man, so that it may sit in a house.

NASB 1977
Another shapes wood, he extends a measuring line; he outlines it with red chalk. He works it with planes, and outlines it with a compass, and makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of man, so that it may sit in a house.

Legacy Standard Bible
Another crafts wood, he extends a measuring line; he outlines it with a stylus. He makes it with planes and outlines it with a compass and makes it like the form of a man, like the glory of man, so that it may sit in a house.

Amplified Bible
The carpenter stretches out a measuring line, he marks out the shape [of the idol] with red chalk; he works it with planes and outlines it with the compass; and he makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of man, that it may sit in a house.

Christian Standard Bible
The woodworker stretches out a measuring line, he outlines it with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it according to a human form, like a beautiful person, to dwell in a temple.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The woodworker stretches out a measuring line, he outlines it with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it according to a human likeness, like a beautiful person, to dwell in a temple.

American Standard Version
The carpenter stretcheth out a line; he marketh it out with a pencil; he shapeth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compasses, and shapeth it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house.

Contemporary English Version
Some woodcarver measures a piece of wood, then draws an outline. The idol is carefully carved with each detail exact. At last it looks like a person and is placed in a temple.

English Revised Version
The carpenter stretcheth out a line; he marketh it out with a pencil; he shapeth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compasses, and shapeth it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, to dwell in the house.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Carpenters measure blocks of wood with [chalk] lines. They mark them with pens. They carve them with chisels and mark them with compasses. They carve them into forms of people, beautiful people, so the idols can live in shrines.

Good News Translation
The carpenter measures the wood. He outlines a figure with chalk, carves it out with his tools, and makes it in the form of a man, a handsome human figure, to be placed in his house.

International Standard Version
The carpenter measures it with a line; he traces its shape with a stylus, then fashions it with planes and shapes it with a compass. He makes the idol like a human figure, with human beauty, to be at home in a shrine.

Majority Standard Bible
The woodworker extends a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He fashions it in the likeness of man, like man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.

NET Bible
A carpenter takes measurements; he marks out an outline of its form; he scrapes it with chisels, and marks it with a compass. He patterns it after the human form, like a well-built human being, and puts it in a shrine.

New Heart English Bible
The carpenter stretches out a line. He marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes. He marks it out with compasses, and shapes it like the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to reside in a house.

Webster's Bible Translation
The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

World English Bible
The carpenter stretches out a line. He marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes. He marks it out with compasses, and shapes it like the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to reside in a house.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He has worked [with] wood, "" He has stretched out a rule, "" He marks it out with a line, "" He makes it with carving tools, "" And he marks it out with a compass, "" And makes it according to the form of a man, "" According to the beauty of a man, "" To remain in the house.

Young's Literal Translation
He hath wrought with wood, He hath stretched out a rule, He doth mark it out with a line, He maketh it with carving tools, And with a compass he marketh it out, And maketh it according to the form of a man, According to the beauty of a man, To remain in the house.

Smith's Literal Translation
The workman of woods stretched out the line; he will delineate it with an awl, he will do it with chisels, and he will delineate it with a compass, and he will make it according to the image of a man, according to the beauty of man; to dwell in the house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The carpenter hath stretched out his rule, he hath formed it with a plane: he hath made it with corners, and hath fashioned it round with the compass: and he hath made the image of a man as it were a beautiful man dwelling in a house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The maker of wood has extended his ruler. He has formed it with a plane. He has made it with corners, and he has smoothed its curves. And he has made the image of a man, a seemingly beautiful man, dwelling in a house.

New American Bible
The woodworker stretches a line, and marks out a shape with a stylus. He shapes it with scraping tools, with a compass measures it off, Making it the copy of a man, human display, enthroned in a shrine.

New Revised Standard Version
The carpenter stretches a line, marks it out with a stylus, fashions it with planes, and marks it with a compass; he makes it in human form, with human beauty, to be set up in a shrine.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The carpenter selects a piece of wood, and stretches out his rule; he marks it out with a line; he fashions it with planes and makes it into the likeness of a man, according to the beauty of a man;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The carpenter chooses wood and he measures it, and he fastens it with glue, and he carves it and he makes it in the likeness of a man, according to the beauty of a son of man
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The carpenter stretcheth out a line; He marketh it out with a pencil; He fitteth it with planes, And he marketh it out with the compasses, And maketh it after the figure of a man, According to the beauty of a man, to dwell in the house.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The artificer having chosen a piece of wood, marks it out with a rule, and fits it with glue, and makes it as the form of a man, and as the beauty of a man, to set it up in the house.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD has Chosen Israel
12The blacksmith takes a tool and labors over the coals; he fashions an idol with hammers and forges it with his strong arms. Yet he grows hungry and loses his strength; he fails to drink water and grows faint. 13The woodworker extends a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He fashions it in the likeness of man, like man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. 14He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.…

Cross References
Exodus 20:4
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.

Deuteronomy 4:16-18
that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female, / of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air, / or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.

Psalm 115:4-8
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...

Jeremiah 10:3-5
For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

Habakkuk 2:18-19
What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”

Romans 1:22-23
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Acts 17:29
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.

1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

1 John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Isaiah 40:19-20
To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? / One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple.

Isaiah 41:6-7
Each one helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong!” / The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who wields the hammer cheers him who strikes the anvil, saying of the welding, “It is good.” He nails it down so it will not be toppled.

Isaiah 46:5-7
To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

2 Kings 19:18
They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.

2 Chronicles 33:7
Manasseh even took the carved image he had made and set it up in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.

Ezekiel 8:10-12
So I went in and looked, and engraved all around the wall was every kind of crawling creature and detestable beast, along with all the idols of the house of Israel. / Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. / “Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’”


Treasury of Scripture

The carpenter stretches out his rule; he marks it out with a line; he fits it with planes, and he marks it out with the compass, and makes it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

he marketh

Exodus 20:4,5
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: …

Deuteronomy 4:16-18,28
Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, …

Acts 17:29
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

that it may

Genesis 31:19,30,32
And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's…

Genesis 35:2
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

Deuteronomy 27:15
Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

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Beauty Carpenter Circles Compass Dwell Extends Figure Gives Glory House Instrument Line Maketh Making Marker Marketh Marks Measures Measuring Outline Outlines Plane Red Reside Rule Shapes Stretches Stretcheth Wood Woodworker
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Beauty Carpenter Circles Compass Dwell Extends Figure Gives Glory House Instrument Line Maketh Making Marker Marketh Marks Measures Measuring Outline Outlines Plane Red Reside Rule Shapes Stretches Stretcheth Wood Woodworker
Isaiah 44
1. God comforts the church with his promises
7. The vanity of idols
9. And folly of idol makers
21. He exhorts to praise God for his redemption and omnipotence














The woodworker stretches a measuring line
This phrase introduces us to the meticulous and deliberate actions of the craftsman. The Hebrew word for "woodworker" is "חָרָשׁ" (charash), which can also mean an artisan or engraver. This term emphasizes the skill and precision involved in the creation process. The "measuring line" signifies planning and intention, suggesting that the idol-making process is not haphazard but carefully calculated. This reflects the futility of human efforts to create something divine, contrasting with God's effortless creation of the universe.

marks it out with a stylus
The "stylus" here, in Hebrew "שֶׂרֶט" (seret), refers to a tool used for engraving or marking. This action of marking indicates the beginning of transformation from raw material to a crafted object. Historically, this reflects the ancient practices of artisans who would meticulously plan their work. Spiritually, it highlights the contrast between human-made idols and the living God who requires no such tools or processes to manifest His power and presence.

shapes it with chisels
The use of "chisels" (Hebrew "מַקְצוּעָה", maqtsuah) further illustrates the labor-intensive process of idol creation. Chisels are tools for carving and shaping, indicating the effort and skill required to form an idol. This serves as a metaphor for the futility of idolatry, as it requires human intervention and craftsmanship, unlike the omnipotent God who shapes the world with His word alone.

and outlines it with a compass
The "compass" (Hebrew "מְחוּגָה", mechugah) is an instrument for drawing circles, symbolizing precision and symmetry. This phrase underscores the careful design and aesthetic considerations in idol-making. Historically, it reflects the advanced techniques of ancient craftsmen. Theologically, it contrasts the limited, human-centered creation of idols with the boundless creativity and perfection of God’s creation.

He makes it in the form of a man
This phrase highlights the anthropomorphic nature of idols, crafted "in the form of a man." The Hebrew word "אָדָם" (adam) signifies humanity, emphasizing the human tendency to create gods in their own image. This reflects the irony and absurdity of idolatry, as humans worship what they themselves have fashioned, rather than the true God who created humanity in His image.

the glory of man
The "glory of man" (Hebrew "תִּפְאֶרֶת", tipheret) refers to the splendor or beauty attributed to human form. This phrase suggests that idols are made to reflect human ideals of beauty and strength. However, it also serves as a critique, as it points to the misplaced glory given to man-made objects rather than to God, who is the source of all true glory.

to dwell in a shrine
Finally, the phrase "to dwell in a shrine" (Hebrew "בֵּית", bayit) indicates the intended purpose of the idol—to reside in a sacred space. This reflects the ancient practice of placing idols in temples or shrines, where they were venerated. Theologically, it underscores the futility of confining the divine to a physical space, contrasting with the omnipresence of the true God who cannot be contained by human structures.

(13) The carpenter.--The wooden idol comes next. First there is the rough measurement with the "rule;" then the artificer draws the outline of the figure in red chalk. "Plane" and "compasses" come in to make the form more definite. The human figure is complete; then there is the artist's final touch to add the element of beauty; and so it is ready for the "house," or temple.

Verse 13. - The carpenter, etc. When the smith has done his part in the formation of tools, the carpenter is called into action. His proceedings are traced "extragressively." (Delitzsch). First, he is regarded as in possession of his block of wood. On this he proceeds to stretch out his rule, to obtain the idol's length and breadth. Then he marks out on the block a rough outline with red chalk (sered). After this he pares away the superfluous wood with planes, or chisels, and marks out the limbs more accurately with the compass, planing and measuring until he has brought the rough block into the figure of a man, and impressed on it something of the beauty of a man, so that it may seem worthy of remaining in the place where it is set up, whether temple or private house. But there is something necessarily anterior to all this. To obtain his block, the carpenter must first cut down a tree, or have one cut down for him (ver. 14); to obtain a tree, he (or some one for him) must have planted it; for the tree to have grown to a fitting size, the rain must have watered it. So the very existence of these wooden idols depends ultimately on whether it has rained or not - i.e., whether God has given his rain or withheld it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The woodworker
חָרַ֣שׁ (ḥā·raš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise

extends
נָ֣טָה (nā·ṭāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

a measuring line;
קָו֒ (qāw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6957: A cord, for, measuring, a rule, a rim, a musical string, accord

he marks it out
יְתָאֲרֵ֣הוּ (yə·ṯā·’ă·rê·hū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8388: Taanath-shiloh -- probably to incline

with a stylus;
בַשֶּׂ֔רֶד (ḇaś·śe·reḏ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8279: A, scribing-awl

he shapes
יַעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙ (ya·‘ă·śê·hū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

it with chisels
בַּמַּקְצֻע֔וֹת (bam·maq·ṣu·‘ō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4741: A scraper, a carving chisel

and outlines
יְתָאֳרֵ֑הוּ (yə·ṯā·’o·rê·hū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8388: Taanath-shiloh -- probably to incline

it with a compass.
וּבַמְּחוּגָ֖ה (ū·ḇam·mə·ḥū·ḡāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4230: An instrument for, marking a, circle, compasses

He fashions it
וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙ (way·ya·‘ă·śê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

in the likeness
כְּתַבְנִ֣ית (kə·ṯaḇ·nîṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8403: Structure, a model, resemblance

of man,
אִ֔ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

like man
אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

in all his glory,
כְּתִפְאֶ֥רֶת (kə·ṯip̄·’e·reṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8597: Beauty, glory

that it may dwell
לָשֶׁ֥בֶת (lā·še·ḇeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in a shrine.
בָּֽיִת׃ (bā·yiṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 44:13 The carpenter stretches out a line (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 44:12
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