Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Isaiah 44:13

13. After the smith's work in preparing the instruments comes the carpenter's work in forming the idol.

rule--rather, "line" [Barnes].

with a line--rather, a "pencil," [Horsley]. Literally, "red ochre," which he uses to mark on the wood the outline of the figure [Lowth]. Or best, the stylus or graver, with which the incision of the outline is made [Gesenius].

planes--rather, "chisels" or "carving tools," for a plane would not answer for carving.

compass--from a Hebrew root, "to make a circle"; by it, symmetry of form is secured.

according to ... beauty of a man--irony. The highest idea the heathen could form of a god was one of a form like their own. Jerome says, "The more handsome the statue the more august the god was thought." The incarnation of the Son of God condescends to this anthropomorphic feeling so natural to man, but in such a way as to raise man's thoughts up to the infinite God who "is a spirit."

that it may remain in ... house--the only thing it was good for; it could not hear nor save (compare Wisdom 13:15).