שֶׂ֫רֶד (se.red)
se.red
stylus
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun shered refers to a stylus or marking tool used in woodworking. In Isaiah 44:13, it describes the instrument a carpenter uses to trace a line on timber, preparing the wood for carving an idol. This concrete detail grounds the prophet’s satire in the daily reality of ancient craftsmanship.
Its meaning is tightly bound to this specific trade context. The word denotes the physical object—the pen or chisel-like tool—that leaves a visible mark on the surface. It does not refer to the writing itself, but to the device that enables the maker to plan the shape.
This single usage highlights the absurdity of idolatry in Isaiah’s argument. The same hand that holds the stylus to measure and mark the wood is the one that worships the resulting image. The tool becomes a symbol of human effort replacing divine reliance, as the craftsman relies on his own skill rather than God’s provision.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shered describes a simple carpenter’s stylus, a tool used to mark lines on wood before carving. In Isaiah 44:13, this instrument highlights the absurdity of idolatry. The craftsman uses his own skill to shape timber into an image, relying entirely on human effort rather than divine guidance.
This detail invites us to examine where we place our trust. Do we rely on our own plans and abilities, or do we seek God’s direction? The stylus marks the wood, but it cannot create life. True security comes not from what we build with our hands, but from the Creator who formed us.
When we feel the need to control every outcome, remember that God is sovereign over all things. We can rest in His provision, knowing that He shapes our lives with purpose and care, far beyond our limited understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with <the>/ marker1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַ/שֶּׂ֔רֶד1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 44:13
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.
This verse uses the stylus to illustrate how idolaters rely on their own craftsmanship to create gods, highlighting the futility of trusting human effort over God.