Isaiah 44:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
עֵצִים֮
H6086
נָ֣טָה
stretcheth out
H5186
נָ֣טָה
stretcheth out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
3 of 17
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
קָו֒
his rule
H6957
קָו֒
his rule
Strong's:
H6957
Word #:
4 of 17
a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord
יְתָאֳרֵ֑הוּ
and he marketh it out
H8388
יְתָאֳרֵ֑הוּ
and he marketh it out
Strong's:
H8388
Word #:
5 of 17
to delineate; reflexive to extend
בַשֶּׂ֔רֶד
with a line
H8279
בַשֶּׂ֔רֶד
with a line
Strong's:
H8279
Word #:
6 of 17
a (carpenter's) scribing-awl (for pricking or scratching measurements)
וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙
and maketh
H6213
וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙
and maketh
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וּבַמְּחוּגָ֖ה
with the compass
H4230
וּבַמְּחוּגָ֖ה
with the compass
Strong's:
H4230
Word #:
9 of 17
an instrument for marking a circle, i.e., compasses
יְתָאֳרֵ֑הוּ
and he marketh it out
H8388
יְתָאֳרֵ֑הוּ
and he marketh it out
Strong's:
H8388
Word #:
10 of 17
to delineate; reflexive to extend
וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙
and maketh
H6213
וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙
and maketh
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כְּתַבְנִ֣ית
it after the figure
H8403
כְּתַבְנִ֣ית
it after the figure
Strong's:
H8403
Word #:
12 of 17
structure; by implication, a model, resemblance
אִ֔ישׁ
of a man
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
of a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
13 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כְּתִפְאֶ֥רֶת
according to the beauty
H8597
כְּתִפְאֶ֥רֶת
according to the beauty
Strong's:
H8597
Word #:
14 of 17
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
אָדָ֖ם
of a man
H120
אָדָ֖ם
of a man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
15 of 17
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Cross References
Acts 17:29Forasmuch 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.Romans 1:23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Historical Context
The detailed craftsman's process - measuring, marking, planing, shaping - contrasts with God who simply speaks creation into existence. Human effort produces human-like results; only God creates truly.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we make God in our own image rather than being transformed into His?
- What does it mean that the idol 'remains in the house' - immobile and powerless?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The carpenter measures with a line, marks with compass, planes it, shapes it with compasses, makes it 'after the figure of a man' - human-shaped. The final product 'remains in the house' - static, immobile, powerless. The Hebrew 'tiferet adam' (beauty of a man) suggests they make their god in their own image - the reverse of Genesis.