Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5433 occupations

Professions, trades and means of employment. A great variety of occupations, both secular and religious, are mentioned in Scripture.

Builders

Psalm 127:1 See also Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42 pp Mark 12:10 pp Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Hebrews 3:3; 1 Peter 2:7

Embroiderers

Exodus 38:23

Weavers and spinners

Exodus 39:22; Proverbs 31:19

Stonemasons

2 Kings 12:12; Kings 22:5-6

Carpenters and woodworkers

2 Kings 22:5-6; Matthew 13:55

Musicians

1 Chronicles 15:19-22; Corinthians 16:42; Habakkuk 3:19

Tanners

Acts 9:43 See also Acts 10:6,32

Linen workers

1 Chronicles 4:21

Washermen

Isaiah 7:3 See also 2 Kings 18:17 pp Isaiah 36:2

Blacksmiths

Isaiah 44:12 See also 1 Samuel 13:19-21; Isaiah 54:16

Merchants

Nehemiah 3:31-32 See also 1 Kings 10:14-15,28-29 pp 2 Chronicles 1:16-17; Nehemiah 13:19-21; Hosea 12:7; Matthew 13:45-46

Tentmakers

Acts 18:1-3

Soldiers

2 Kings 5:1 See also Matthew 8:5-13 pp Luke 7:1-10; Luke 3:14; Acts 10:1-8; 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Priests

Genesis 46:20 See also Genesis 14:18; Exodus 18:1; Exodus 28:3; Exodus 40:13; Judges 17:12-13; 1 Samuel 2:27-29; 1 Kings 4:2-5; Malachi 2:7; Matthew 8:4

Levites and temple servants

Numbers 1:50-51 See also 1 Chronicles 15:16,22; Corinthians 16:4; Ezra 2:70; Nehemiah 12:44-47; Luke 10:32

Watchmen

Psalm 127:1 See also 2 Samuel 18:24-27; Songs 3:1-4; Songs 5:7; Isaiah 21:11-12; Isaiah 56:10; Ezekiel 33:2-6; John 10:1-3

Shepherds

Genesis 47:3 See also Genesis 29:1-10; Genesis 46:31-34; Exodus 2:16-17; 1 Samuel 17:20; Samuel 21:7; Amos 1:1; Luke 2:8-18; John 10:2-4

Farmers

Zechariah 13:4-5 See also Isaiah 28:24-25; Jeremiah 31:5; Joel 1:11; Matthew 13:3-9 pp Mark 4:3-8 pp Luke 8:5-8; Matthew 21:33 pp Mark 12:1 pp Luke 20:9; 2 Timothy 2:6; James 5:7

Fishermen

Matthew 13:48 See also Isaiah 19:8; Jeremiah 16:16; Ezekiel 47:10; Matthew 4:18-19 pp Mark 1:16-17; Luke 5:2

Doctors

Mark 5:25-26 pp Luke 8:43 See also Matthew 9:12 pp Mark 2:17 pp Luke 5:31; Colossians 4:14

Lawyers

Acts 24:1 See also Titus 3:13

See also

4345  metalworkers
4406  agriculture
5240  building
5272  craftsmen
5298  doctors
5384  lawyer
5407  merchants
5544  soldiers
5576  tax collectors
5611  watchman
7766  priests
7785  shepherd, occupation