Original Word: χειροποίητος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: cheiropoiétos
Pronunciation: khay-rop-oy'-ay-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (khi-rop-oy'-ay-tos)
Definition: done or made with hands, artificial.
Meaning: Made by human hands; man-made; artificial.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek words χείρ (cheir), meaning "hand," and ποιέω (poieō), meaning "to make" or "to do."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of "made by hands" in the Hebrew Bible is often related to idols or man-made objects of worship, which are contrasted with the living God. Corresponding Hebrew terms include:
• Strong's Hebrew 4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה, ma'aseh) – work, deed, or product, often used to describe the works of human hands.
• Strong's Hebrew 3027 (יָד, yad) – hand, used in contexts where human action or creation is implied.

These entries highlight the biblical theme of distinguishing between the divine and the human, urging a focus on the eternal and spiritual over the temporal and material.

Usage: The term χειροποίητος is used in the New Testament to describe objects or structures that are crafted or constructed by human hands, often in contrast to those made by God or of divine origin.

Context: The Greek term χειροποίητος appears in the New Testament to emphasize the distinction between what is created by human effort and what is of divine origin. This term is often used in theological discussions to highlight the limitations of human craftsmanship in comparison to the divine creation or spiritual realities.

In the New Testament, χειροποίητος is used in contexts that critique reliance on physical structures or objects for spiritual assurance. For example, in Acts 7:48, Stephen declares, "However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands," emphasizing that God's presence is not confined to man-made temples. Similarly, in Acts 17:24, Paul asserts, "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands."

The term is also used in Hebrews 9:11, where it contrasts the earthly sanctuary with the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is "not made by hands," signifying the superiority of the heavenly realm over earthly representations.

Theologically, χειροποίητος serves as a reminder of the transient and limited nature of human achievements in contrast to the eternal and perfect nature of God's work. It calls believers to focus on spiritual realities rather than physical structures or artifacts.

Word Origin
from cheir and poieó
Definition
made by hand
NASB Translation
human hands (1), made by human hands (1), made with hands (4), performed (1).

STRONGS NT 5499: χειροποίητος

χειροποίητος, χειροποίητον (χείρ and ποιέω), made by the hand i. e. the skill of man (see ἀχειροποίητος): of temples, Mark 14:58; Acts 7:48; Acts 17:24; Hebrews 9:11, 24; of circumcision, Ephesians 2:11. (In the Sept. of idols; of other things, occasionally in Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Polybius, Diodorus.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

make by hand

From cheir and a derivative of poieo; manufactured, i.e. Of human construction -- made by (make with) hands.

see GREEK cheir

see GREEK poieo

Forms and Transliterations

χειροποιητα χειροποίητα χειροποιητοις χειροποιήτοις χειροποιητον χειροποίητον χειροποιητου χειροποιήτου cheiropoieta cheiropoiēta cheiropoíeta cheiropoíēta cheiropoietois cheiropoiētois cheiropoiḗtois cheiropoieton cheiropoiēton cheiropoíeton cheiropoíēton cheiropoietou cheiropoiētou cheiropoiḗtou

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts