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.

ISAIAH 44:13KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 44:13 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 44:13 mean?

Isaiah 44:13 describes a carpenter carefully making a human-shaped image to stand in a house. The verse draws attention to the skill and planning involved: the figure’s form and beauty come from the craftsperson who measures and shapes it.

After describing a metalworker in verse 12, Isaiah turns to a worker in wood. The measuring line, shaping tools, and compass picture a deliberate process, ending with a figure made to resemble a beautiful person.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 44:13

  • “carpenter” — חָרָשׁ (ḥarash) and עֵץ (ʿets): These words describe a craftsman working with wood. They identify the material being shaped into the figure.
  • “beauty” — תִּפְאֶרֶת (tifʾeret): This word can mean beauty or splendor. Here it describes the attractive human appearance the carpenter gives the image.
  • “remain” — יָשַׁב (yashav): This word often means to sit or dwell. The figure is made to have a place in the house, as though it were an occupant.

Why Isaiah 44:13 matters

  • The passage emphasizes that the image is a human product. The same worker measures, marks, shapes, and gives it its appearance.
  • The figure’s human form matters to Isaiah’s description. It is made “after the figure of a man,” so its appearance reflects the person who fashioned it.
  • The verses that follow connect the carpenter’s work with worship. Isaiah describes someone using wood for ordinary needs and also making an image before which that person bows (verses 14–17).

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H8388 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 15:9 And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim:
  • Joshua 15:11 And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.
  • Joshua 18:14 And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Bethhoron southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.

“rule” Hebrew H6957 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:23 And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
  • Psalms 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
  • Isaiah 34:17 And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.

“figure” Hebrew H8403 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
  • Joshua 22:28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
  • 1 Chronicles 28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

“carpenter” Hebrew H2796 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
  • 1 Chronicles 14:1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
  • Isaiah 44:12 The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.