In the biblical context, the term "workman" refers to an individual engaged in labor or craftsmanship, often with a focus on skill and diligence. The concept of a workman is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the value of hard work, the importance of skill, and the spiritual implications of labor.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently mentions workmen in the context of construction and craftsmanship. In Exodus, skilled workmen were essential for the construction of the Tabernacle. Exodus 31:1-5 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'See, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft.'"

This passage underscores the divine inspiration and empowerment given to workmen, emphasizing that their skills are gifts from God. The workmen's role in building the Tabernacle was not merely functional but also spiritual, as their craftsmanship contributed to the worship and glory of God.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of a workman is often used metaphorically to describe those who labor in the ministry of the Gospel. In 2 Timothy 2:15 , Paul exhorts Timothy, "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth." Here, the workman is depicted as one who diligently studies and teaches Scripture, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and integrity in spiritual labor.

The Apostle Paul himself was a tentmaker by trade, as noted in Acts 18:3 : "And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade." Paul's example illustrates the dignity of manual labor and the integration of secular work with spiritual ministry.

Theological Implications

The biblical portrayal of workmen highlights several key theological themes:

1. Dignity of Labor: Work is portrayed as a noble and God-given activity. From the creation narrative, where God Himself is depicted as a worker, to the skilled artisans of the Tabernacle, labor is seen as an integral part of human purpose and divine service.

2. Stewardship of Gifts: The skills and talents of workmen are viewed as gifts from God, to be used for His glory and the benefit of the community. This stewardship principle calls for excellence and dedication in one's work.

3. Spiritual and Secular Integration: The life of a workman, whether in manual labor or spiritual ministry, is a holistic endeavor. The New Testament encourages believers to see their work as an extension of their faith, serving God in all aspects of life.

4. Community and Collaboration: The construction of the Tabernacle and the early Christian community both demonstrate the importance of collaboration among workmen. Each individual's contribution is vital to the collective mission, reflecting the body of Christ's interdependence.

In summary, the biblical concept of a workman encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of labor, affirming the value of work as a divine calling and a means of worship.1. (n.) A man employed in labor, whether in tillage or manufactures; a worker.

2. (n.) Hence, especially, a skillful artificer or laborer.

WORKER; WORKFELLOW; WORKMAN

wur'-der, wurk'-fel-o, wurk'-man (charash, pa`al; ergates, sunergos): "Worker" (artificer) is the translation of charash, "to cut in" (1 Kings 7:14, "a worker in brass"), and of charash, "artificer," etc. (1 Chronicles 22:15); "workers of stone," rendered "workman," "workmen" (Isaiah 40:20; Isaiah 44:11 Jeremiah 10:3, 9, "artificer"; Hosea 8:6); `asah, "to work," is translated "workers" of iniquity (Psalm 37:1, "them that work unrighteousness"); `asah mela'khah, "to do work" (2 Kings 12:14, 15, "workmen," "them that did the work"; 1 Chronicles 22:15 2 Chronicles 24:13, etc.; Ezra 3:9);'aneshe mela'khah, "men of work" (1 Chronicles 25:1, "workmen," "them that did the work"); `amel, "working," "toiling" (Judges 5:26, "put.... her right hand to the workmen's hammer"); pa`al, "to act," "do," when translated "workers," is joined with "iniquity," "workers of iniquity" (Job 31:3; Job 34:8, 22 Psalm 5:5; Psalm 6:8; Psalm 14:4, etc.; Proverbs 10:29; Proverbs 21:15); ergates, "worker," is translated "workman" (Matthew 10:10, "laborer"; 2 Timothy 2:15 Acts 19:25), "workers" (of iniquity) (Luke 13:27), "deceitful workers" (2 Corinthians 11:13), "evil workers" (Philippians 3:2); dunamis, "power," is translated "(workers of) miracles" (1 Corinthians 12:29 margin, the Revised Version (British and American) "powers"); sunergeo, "to work with" (2 Corinthians 6:1, "working together with him").

Workfellow is the translation of sunergos, "joint or fellow-worker" (Romans 16:21 Colossians 4:11).

Workmaster occurs in Ecclesiasticus 38:27, as the translation of architekton.

For "of ("with") cunning work" (Exodus 26:1, 31; Exodus 28:6, 15; 36:8, 35; 39:3, 8), the American Standard Revised Version has "the work of the skillful workman," the English Revised Version "of the cunning workman"; instead of "I was by him as one brought up (with him)" (Proverbs 8:30), the Revised Version (British and American) has "I was by him as a master workman.

W. L. Walker

2040. ergates -- a workman
... a workman. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: ergates Phonetic Spelling:
(er-gat'-ace) Short Definition: a field-laborer, workman Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2040.htm - 7k

4612. simikinthion -- (a workman's) apron
... 4611, 4612. simikinthion. 4613 . (a workman's) apron. Part of ... Word Origin of
Latin origin Definition (a workman's) apron NASB Word Usage aprons (1). apron. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4612.htm - 6k

525. amon -- an artificer, architect, master workman
... 524, 525. amon. 526 . an artificer, architect, master workman. Transliteration:
amon Phonetic Spelling: (aw-mone') Short Definition: artisans. ...
/hebrew/525.htm - 6k

2803. chashab -- to think, account
... reckoned (10), regard (1), regarded (8), regards (1), require an accounting (1),
scheme (1), schemed (1), seem (1), skillful (1), skillful workman (9), think (3 ...
/hebrew/2803.htm - 6k

542. omman -- a masterworkman, artist
... cunning workman. From 'aman (in the sense of training); an expert -- cunning workman.
see HEBREW 'aman. 541, 542. omman. 543 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/542.htm - 6k

6001. amel -- a laborer, sufferer
... labors. that labors, that is a misery, had taken labor, wicked, workman From
amal; toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful ...
/hebrew/6001.htm - 5k

5065. nagas -- to press, drive, oppress, exact
... A primitive root; to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication,
to tax, harass, tyrannize -- distress, driver, exact(-or), oppress(-or ...
/hebrew/5065.htm - 6k

4399. melakah -- occupation, work
... workmen (5), workmen* (5), works (1). business, cattle, industrious, occupation,
officer, manner of workman,. From the same as mal ...
/hebrew/4399.htm - 6k

6092. atseb -- toiler
... Word Origin from atsab Definition toiler NASB Word Usage workers (1). labor. From
atsab; a (hired) workman -- labour. see HEBREW atsab. 6091, 6092. ...
/hebrew/6092.htm - 6k

2796. charash -- engraver, artificer
... From charash; a fabricator or any material -- artificer, (+) carpenter, craftsman,
engraver, maker, + mason, skilful, (+) smith, worker, workman, such as ...
/hebrew/2796.htm - 6k

The Patient Workman
... CORINTHIANS (To II Corinthians, Chap. V) THE PATIENT WORKMAN. ... II. So, then,
secondly, note the slow process of the Divine Workman. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the patient workman.htm

The Old Workman.
... Book VIII. Chapter I."The Old Workman. Now the next morning Peter took my
brothers and me with him, and we went down to the harbour ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter i the old workman.htm

Furnished Completely unto Every Good Work
... Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.'"2:Tim.2:15 ...
/.../murray/working for god/xx furnished completely unto every.htm

The Builders
... MACDONALD. "Toil, workman, toil; thy gracious Lord Will give thee soon a
full reward; Then toil, obedient to His word, Until He come. ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xv the builders.htm

The Second Commandment
... [2] To worship God by an image, is both absurd and unlawful. (1) It is absurd and
irrational; for, the workman is better than the work,' He who has builded the ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

But Lest any Should Fancy that this was Granted Only to the Twelve ...
... And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as are with them:
for the workman is worthy of his hire." [2494] Here it appears that these ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 7 but lest any.htm

An Illustration.
... mind, no figure can be formed out of the mass; but when there is a designing mind,
there may be both form and deformity: for example, if a workman cuts from ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter liv an illustration.htm

Gifts and Talents.
... on this subject, Scripture says also: "Then hath he filled with wisdom of heart,
to work all manner of work of the engraver and of the cunning workman, and of ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/viii gifts and talents.htm

2 Timothy ii. 14-Nov
... Ver.15. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.". ...
/.../homily v 2 timothy ii.htm

Extracts from the Work on Things Created.
... For he says, since there is no workman without some work, or maker without something
made, so neither is there an Almighty without an object of His power. ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/extracts from the work on.htm

Workman (22 Occurrences)
... worker. 2. (n.) Hence, especially, a skillful artificer or laborer. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. WORKER; WORKFELLOW; WORKMAN. wur ...
/w/workman.htm - 17k

Fellow-workman (5 Occurrences)
Fellow-workman. Fellow-workers, Fellow-workman. Fellow-workmen .
Multi-Version Concordance Fellow-workman (5 Occurrences). ...
/f/fellow-workman.htm - 7k

Workman's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Workman's (1 Occurrence). Judges 5:26 She put out
her hand to the tent-pin, and her right hand to the workman's...
/w/workman's.htm - 6k

Craftsman (23 Occurrences)
... cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them. (See NIV). ... cherubim.
The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. (See NIV). ...
/c/craftsman.htm - 13k

Worker (36 Occurrences)
... imperfectly developed. See Ant, and White ant, under White. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. WORKER; WORKFELLOW; WORKMAN. wur'-der ...
/w/worker.htm - 20k

Twined (25 Occurrences)
... The work of the skillful workman you shall make them. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS
YLT RSV). ... The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. ...
/t/twined.htm - 13k

Yarn (37 Occurrences)
... cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them. (See NIV). ... cherubim.
The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. (See NIV). ...
/y/yarn.htm - 18k

Finely (27 Occurrences)
... shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains: of fine twined linen, and blue, and
purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shalt thou ...
/f/finely.htm - 14k

Skillful (42 Occurrences)
... cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them. (WEB NAS). ... cherubim.
The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. (WEB NAS). ...
/s/skillful.htm - 19k

Workfellow (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One engaged in the same work with another; a companion
in work. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WORKER; WORKFELLOW; WORKMAN. ...
/w/workfellow.htm - 10k

What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis? | GotQuestions.org

What is good biblical exegesis? | GotQuestions.org

What is Awana? | GotQuestions.org

Workman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus