Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. Berean Literal Bible The craftsman of wood stretches out the measuring-line; he traces it with the stylus, he fashions it with the chisel, and he marks it out with the compass; he makes it like the figure of a man, like the splendor of mankind, that it may dwell in a house. 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. Berean Annotated 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. 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. 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe 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. 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 VersionHe 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. Berean Literal Bible The craftsman of wood stretches out the measuring-line; he traces it with the stylus, he fashions it with the chisel, and he marks it out with the compass; he makes it like the figure of a man, like the splendor of mankind, that it may dwell in a 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 BibleThe 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 BibleThe 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 1917The 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 The woodworker extends a measuring line; Job 38:5 Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? Zechariah 1:16 Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there My house will be rebuilt, declares the LORD of Hosts, and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.’ Ezekiel 40:3 So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze. He was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. he marks it out with a stylus; Jeremiah 17:1 “The sin of Judah is written with an iron stylus, engraved with a diamond point on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. Job 19:23-24 I wish that my words were recorded and inscribed in a book, / by an iron stylus on lead, or chiseled in stone forever. Habakkuk 2:2 Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it. he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. Exodus 32:4 He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” Jeremiah 10:3-4 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. Job 26:10 He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness. He fashions it in the likeness of man, Romans 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 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. 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. like man in all his glory, Psalm 8:5 You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor. 1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, Psalm 49:12-13 But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. / This is the fate of the foolish and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah that it may dwell in a shrine. 1 Kings 12:28-31 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. … 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. Jump to Previous 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 WoodworkerJump to Next 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 WoodworkerIsaiah 44 1. God comforts the church with his promises7. The vanity of idols 9. And folly of idol makers 21. He exhorts to praise God for his redemption and omnipotence The woodworker extends a measuring line; This phrase highlights the meticulous planning and precision involved in the creation of idols. In ancient times, craftsmen were skilled artisans who took great care in their work. The measuring line signifies the beginning of the process, ensuring that the idol is crafted to exact specifications. This reflects the futility of idol worship, as it contrasts with the divine creation of the universe, which required no such human tools or measurements (Genesis 1). 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. WoodworkerRepresents the craftsman or idol maker who uses his skills to create idols from wood. 2. Measuring Line, Stylus, Chisels, Compass Tools used by the craftsman to design and shape the idol, symbolizing human effort and precision in creating false gods. 3. Man in All His Glory The idol is made in the likeness of a human, reflecting human attributes and glory, yet lacking divine power. 4. Shrine The place where the idol is placed, signifying the worship and reverence given to man-made objects instead of the true God. 5. Isaiah The prophet who delivers God's message, warning against idolatry and calling people back to worship the one true God. Teaching Points The Folly of IdolatryIdolatry is a futile endeavor, as it involves worshiping the creation rather than the Creator. It is important to recognize and reject modern forms of idolatry in our lives. Human Effort vs. Divine Power The passage highlights the contrast between human effort in creating idols and the divine power of God. We should rely on God's power rather than our own efforts or creations. True Worship Worship should be directed to God alone, who is worthy of all glory and honor. Evaluate areas in life where misplaced devotion might occur. The Danger of Misplaced Glory The idol is made in the likeness of man, reflecting human glory. We must be cautious not to glorify ourselves or others above God. God's Call to Repentance Isaiah's message is a call to turn away from idols and return to God. Reflect on areas where repentance is needed in our own lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 44:13?2. How does Isaiah 44:13 illustrate the futility of idol worship in our lives? 3. What does the craftsman's work in Isaiah 44:13 reveal about human pride? 4. How can Isaiah 44:13 guide us in identifying modern-day idols? 5. Compare Isaiah 44:13 with Exodus 20:4. How do they address idolatry? 6. How can we apply Isaiah 44:13 to prioritize God over material possessions? 7. How does Isaiah 44:13 challenge the concept of idolatry in modern society? 8. What historical context influenced the message of Isaiah 44:13? 9. How does Isaiah 44:13 reflect the theme of human creativity versus divine creation? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 44? 11. If Isaiah 13 was written in the 8th century BCE, why do some scholars suggest it reflects later events, raising questions about its authorship and date? 12. (Psalm 24:1) If the entire world belongs to the Lord, how do we reconcile this with the existence of other deities in different religious traditions? 13. What defines the practice of idol worship? 14. Isaiah 46:9: How can we reconcile the claim that there is “no other God” with the clear presence and worship of many deities in ancient Near Eastern culture? What Does Isaiah 44:13 Mean The woodworker extends a measuring line“The woodworker extends a measuring line” (Isaiah 44:13). • The scene opens with deliberate precision. Just as Noah followed exact measurements for the ark (Genesis 6:15-16) and Moses for the tabernacle furniture (Exodus 25:40), this craftsman is careful, but his goal is the opposite—he is building an idol rather than obeying God. • Isaiah emphasizes that idolatry is not accidental; it is a calculated, intentional process (cf. Isaiah 44:12). He marks it out with a stylus “…he marks it out with a stylus” (Isaiah 44:13). • The stylus etches guidelines, paralleling how sinners engrave rebellion on their hearts (Jeremiah 17:1). • The maker moves from planning to commitment, echoing Romans 1:23 where people exchange “the glory of the immortal God” for images. He shapes it with chisels “…he shapes it with chisels” (Isaiah 44:13). • Chisels remove wood to reveal the idol, much like Gideon destroyed Baal’s altar with tools of demolition (Judges 6:25-27), yet here the tool builds a false altar instead. • Psalm 115:4-8 reminds us that idols are crafted but powerless; Isaiah exposes the absurdity of devoting labor to lifeless wood. He outlines it with a compass “…and outlines it with a compass” (Isaiah 44:13). • The compass perfects symmetry, highlighting human fascination with beauty (Ezekiel 28:17). God’s creation already reflects perfect design (Psalm 19:1), so copying it for worship is a tragic misdirection. • The prophet spotlights how craftsmanship, though admirable, becomes corruption when it dethrones the Creator (Isaiah 40:18-20). He fashions it in the likeness of man “He fashions it in the likeness of man” (Isaiah 44:13). • The craftsman reverses Genesis 1:26-27: instead of humans made in God’s image, humans now make gods in their own image. • Acts 17:29 counters this logic, declaring the Divine Nature cannot be represented by “man’s design and skill.” Like man in all his glory “…like man in all his glory” (Isaiah 44:13). • Human glory—beauty, strength, prestige—is fleeting (Isaiah 40:6-8). Building a god on such a foundation ensures it will fade. • James 1:11 recalls how the “rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits,” just as this glossy idol will decay. That it may dwell in a shrine “…that it may dwell in a shrine” (Isaiah 44:13). • The final aim: place the idol in a sacred niche, mimicking the ark in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:33-34). Yet only the living God truly “dwells between the cherubim” (Psalm 99:1). • Isaiah 44:17-18 exposes the irony: the same wood that warms the fire becomes a god to bow before—proof of spiritual blindness. summary Isaiah 44:13 walks us through the step-by-step birth of an idol, underscoring deliberate human effort to replace the Creator with a crafted image. Every measured line and polished curve reveals not artistic genius but spiritual folly. While the craftsman elevates “man in all his glory,” God alone is worthy of worship; His glory neither fades nor dwells in wooden shrines but fills heaven and earth (Jeremiah 23:24). (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 woodworkerחָרַ֣שׁ (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 Links Isaiah 44:13 NIVIsaiah 44:13 NLT Isaiah 44:13 ESV Isaiah 44:13 NASB Isaiah 44:13 KJV Isaiah 44:13 BibleApps.com Isaiah 44:13 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 44:13 Chinese Bible Isaiah 44:13 French Bible Isaiah 44:13 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 44:13 The carpenter stretches out a line (Isa Isi Is) |
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