Topical Encyclopedia
An artificer in biblical terms refers to a skilled craftsman or artisan, someone who is adept in creating or constructing items, often with a focus on metalwork, stonework, or other forms of craftsmanship. The role of the artificer is significant in the biblical narrative, as it highlights the God-given talents and skills bestowed upon individuals for the purpose of fulfilling divine plans and contributing to the community's needs.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 4:22 · "Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-Cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah."
Tubal-Cain is one of the earliest mentioned artificers in the Bible, recognized for his expertise in working with bronze and iron. His skills in metallurgy signify the development of technology and craftsmanship in the early human civilization, showcasing the progression of human ingenuity.
2.
Exodus 31:2-5 · "See, I have chosen 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."
Bezalel is a prominent example of an artificer who was divinely appointed and endowed with the Spirit of God to construct the Tabernacle. His skills were not only a result of natural talent but were enhanced by divine inspiration, emphasizing the sacred nature of his work.
3.
1 Kings 7:13-14 · "Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre. He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom, understanding, and skill to do all kinds of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work."
Huram (also known as Hiram) was another skilled artificer, brought by Solomon to work on the Temple. His expertise in bronze work was crucial for the construction of the Temple's furnishings, demonstrating the importance of skilled artisans in the service of God’s house.
Role and Significance:Artificers played a crucial role in the construction and beautification of sacred spaces, such as the Tabernacle and the Temple. Their work was not merely functional but also artistic, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. The Bible acknowledges the importance of these craftsmen by detailing their contributions and the divine inspiration behind their skills.
The work of artificers is seen as a reflection of God's creative nature, as they transform raw materials into objects of beauty and utility. This creative process is a testament to the divine image in which humans are made, as they mirror the Creator's ability to design and construct.
Theological Implications:The presence of artificers in the biblical narrative underscores the belief that all talents and skills are gifts from God, meant to be used for His glory and the benefit of His people. The divine selection and empowerment of individuals like Bezalel and Huram highlight the idea that God equips His people with the necessary abilities to accomplish His purposes.
Furthermore, the work of artificers in the Bible serves as a reminder of the value of craftsmanship and the dignity of labor. It affirms that all work, when done for the glory of God, holds spiritual significance and contributes to the fulfillment of His divine plan.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A person engaged in any kind of manual occupation (
Genesis 4:22;
Isaiah 3:3).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An artistic worker; a mechanic or manufacturer; one whose occupation requires skill or knowledge of a particular kind, as a silversmith.
2. (n.) One who makes or contrives; a deviser, inventor, or framer.
3. (n.) A cunning or artful fellow.
4. (n.) A military mechanic, as a blacksmith, carpenter, etc.; also, one who prepares the shells, fuses, grenades, etc., in a military laboratory.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ARTIFICERar-tif'-i-ser. SeeCRAFTS.
Greek
5079. technites -- a craftsman,artificer... a craftsman,
artificer. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: technites
Phonetic Spelling: (tekh-nee'-tace) Short Definition: a craftsman, artisan
...3673. homotechnos -- of the same trade
... of the same craft. From the base of homou and techne; a fellow-artificer -- of the
same craft. see GREEK homou. see GREEK techne. (omotechnon) -- 1 Occurrence....
5045. tekton -- a craftsman, spec. a carpenter
... carpenter. From the base of timoria; anartificer (as producer of fabrics), ie
(specially), a craftsman in wood -- carpenter. see GREEK timoria....
Strong's Hebrew
2794. choresh --artificer... 2793, 2794. choresh. 2795 .
artificer. Transliteration: choresh Phonetic
Spelling: (kho-rashe') Short Definition:
artificer.
...artificer...2796. charash -- engraver,artificer
... 2795, 2796. charash. 2797 . engraver,artificer. Transliteration: charash
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-rawsh') Short Definition: craftsmen....
525. amon -- anartificer, architect, master workman
... 524, 525. amon. 526 . anartificer, architect, master workman. Transliteration:
amon Phonetic Spelling: (aw-mone') Short Definition: artisans....
Library
Hiram, the InspiredArtificer
... HIRAM, THE INSPIREDARTIFICER. BY REV. WJ TOWNSEND, DD. The Temple of Solomon was
the crown of art in the old world.... Hiram was an inspired artist andartificer....
The Best Introduction to this Production Will be the Following...
... Then the goddesses say to the gods, making the matter plainer, Pege [1062] is
she who is embraced; for did not Juno espouse anartificer?...
Some Refinements in Dress and Personal Appearance Lawful, Some...
... In their own persons, I suppose, they convict, they censure, theArtificer
of all things!... That adversaryartificer is the devil....
The Philosophers Agree with the Poets Respecting the Gods.
... Moreover, matter requires anartificer, and theartificer requires matter.
For how could figures be made without matter or anartificer?...
Erroneous views of Creation Rejected. -1 Epicurean (Fortuitous...
... And how could He in that case be called Maker andArtificer, if He owes His
ability to make to some other source"namely, to the material?...
Impossibility of a Plurality of Gods.
... For we must not think there is more than one ruler and maker of Creation: but it
belongs to correct and true religion to believe that itsArtificer is one...
Whether the Knowledge of God is the Cause of Things?
... For the knowledge of God is to all creatures what the knowledge of the
artificer is to things made by his art. Now the knowledge...
Creation and the Fall
... wood. How could God be called Maker andArtificer if His ability to make
depended on some other cause, namely on matter itself?...
Extracts from the Work on Things Created.
... For if anartificer is said to have moved a statue ever so slightly, he will submit
to a beginning, when he began to move and adorn that which was before...
Your Origen Allows Himself to Treat of the Transmigration of Souls...
... of boasting, I should like even now to shew you how much profit there is in waiting
at the doors of great teachers, and in learning an art from a realartificer...
Thesaurus
Artificer (13 Occurrences)... laboratory. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ARTIFICER. ar-tif'-i-ser. See CRAFTS.
Multi-Version Concordance
Artificer (13 Occurrences). Hebrews
...Workman (22 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A man employed in labor, whether in tillage or manufactures; a worker.
2. (n.) Hence, especially, a skillfulartificer or laborer. Int....
Workfellow (1 Occurrence)
... 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...
Worker (36 Occurrences)
... 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...
Carpenter (4 Occurrences)
... Anartificer in stone, iron, and copper, as well as in wood (2 Samuel 5:11; 1
Chronicles 14:1; Mark 6:3). The tools used by carpenters are mentioned in 1...
Forge (2 Occurrences)
... British and American) rendering of laTas "to smite," or "hammer," in Genesis 4:22
King James Version: "Tubal-cain, an instructor of everyartificer in brass...
Forger (1 Occurrence)
... British and American) rendering of laTas "to smite," or "hammer," in Genesis 4:22
King James Version: "Tubal-cain, an instructor of everyartificer in brass...
Tubalcain (1 Occurrence)
... The son of Lamech and Zillah, "an instructor of everyartificer in brass and iron"
(Genesis 4:22; RV, "the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron...
Artisans (7 Occurrences)
... 24:14 And he hath removed all Jerusalem, and all the chiefs, and all the mighty
ones of valour -- ten thousand 'is' the removal -- and everyartificer and smith...
Byssus (40 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:35 he has filled them with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work
of the engraver, and of theartificer, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in...
Resources
What is the Demiurge? | GotQuestions.orgArtificer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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