Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5272 craftsmen

Skilled workers and artisans. God is sometimes compared to a master craftsman in his work of creation. Scripture also identifies God as the giver of talent and ability to certain individuals, in particular those employed in the construction of the tabernacle and the temple.

God the Creator seen as a master craftsman

Proverbs 3:19-20 See also Genesis 1:1-31; Job 38:4-38 inanimate creation; Job 38:39-39:30 animate creation; Proverbs 8:22-31

Craftsmen employed in the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings

Exodus 31:1-11 See also Exodus 26:1,31; Exodus 28:6-8,15; Exodus 35:30-36:3,8-38:11; Exodus 39:1-3

Craftsmen employed in the construction of the temple and its furnishings

1 Kings 7:13-45 pp 2 Chronicles 4:2-6 pp 2 Chronicles 4:10-16 See also 1 Kings 5:17-18; 1 Chronicles 22:14-16; 1 C 3-5; 2 Chronicles 2:5-7,13-14

Craftsmen employed in the manufacture of idols

Isaiah 40:19-20 See also Isaiah 41:5-7; Isaiah 44:9-20; Jeremiah 10:3-10; Hosea 8:4-6; Hosea 13:2; Acts 19:23-41

Carpenters

2 Samuel 5:11 pp 1 Chronicles 14:1 See also 2 Chronicles 24:12; Isaiah 44:13; Ezekiel 27:9; Matthew 13:55 pp Mark 6:3

Gem cutters

Exodus 28:11

Masons

2 Chronicles 24:12 See also 1 Chronicles 22:14-16; Ezra 3:7

Goldsmiths

Isaiah 46:6 See also Nehemiah 3:31-32; Jeremiah 51:17

Silversmiths

Proverbs 25:4 See also Judges 17:4; Acts 19:24

Potters

Romans 9:21 See also 1 Chronicles 4:23; Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:2-4

Weavers and embroiderers

Skilled craftsmen

Exodus 35:35 See also Exodus 26:1,31; Exodus 28:6,15; Exodus 39:22,27; Isaiah 19:9-10; Isaiah 38:12

A weaver's shuttle

Job 7:6

A weaver's rod

1 Chronicles 20:5 See also 1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 11:23

Craftsmen taken into exile

2 Kings 24:10-17 See also Isaiah 3:1-3; Jeremiah 24:1; Jeremiah 29:2; Jeremiah 52:12-16

Craftsmen in place-names

1 Chronicles 4:14 See also Nehemiah 11:31-35

Metaphorical references to craftsmen

Proverbs 8:22-31 See also Isaiah 41:25; Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:6; Zechariah 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 3:10

See also

1325  God, the Creator
4040  beauty
4345  metalworkers
5211  art
5212  arts and crafts
5247  carpenters
5403  masons
5445  potters & pottery
5531  skill
7459  tabernacle, in OT
7467  temple, Solomon's
8768  idolatry