Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 40:19-20
Isaiah 40:19-20. The workman melteth a graven image He melteth some base metal into a mould which giveth it the form of an image, which afterward is graven or carved to make it the more exact and pleasing likeness of some creature. Thus the image owes all its excellence to the earth for the matter of it, and to the art of man for the fashion of it. The goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold Beaten out into leaves or plates; and casteth silver chains For ornaments; or rather, for use, to... read more
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 40:19
The workman - The Hebrew word denotes an artificer of any kind, and is applied to one who engraved on wood or stone Exodus 28:2; to a workman in iron, brass, stone, wood Exodus 35:35; Deuteronomy 27:15; or an artisan, or artificer in general. It here refers manifestly to a man who worked in the metals of which idols were commonly made. Those idols were sometimes made of wood, sometimes of clay, but more frequently, as they are at present in India, of metal. It became, undoubtedly, a regular... read more