Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, builders are individuals or groups involved in the construction of physical structures, such as cities, towers, altars, and temples. The concept of building extends beyond the physical to include the spiritual edification of God's people. Builders are often seen as instruments of God's will, contributing to the establishment and maintenance of His covenant community.
Old TestamentThe earliest mention of builders is found in
Genesis 4:17, where Cain is described as building a city named after his son, Enoch. This act of building signifies the beginning of human civilization and the development of societal structures. In
Genesis 11:3-4, the builders of the Tower of Babel sought to make a name for themselves by constructing a tower that reached the heavens. This endeavor, however, was thwarted by God, who confused their language and scattered them across the earth.
The Israelites' experience in Egypt involved forced labor as builders.
Exodus 1:11 states, "So they appointed taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. And they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh." This period of bondage highlights the oppressive use of building for the purposes of a foreign power.
The construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem represents a significant aspect of Israelite worship and identity. In
Exodus 31:1-6, God appoints Bezalel and Oholiab, filled with the Spirit of God, to oversee the building of the Tabernacle. This divine appointment underscores the sacred nature of their work. Similarly, Solomon's Temple, described in
1 Kings 6, was a monumental project that symbolized God's dwelling among His people.
New TestamentIn the New Testament, the concept of building takes on a spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ is referred to as the cornerstone, the foundation upon which the Church is built. In
Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." This statement emphasizes the enduring and divine nature of the Church's foundation.
The Apostle Paul frequently uses the metaphor of building to describe the growth and edification of the Christian community. In
1 Corinthians 3:9-11, Paul writes, "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." Here, Paul highlights the responsibility of believers to build upon the foundation of Christ with care and integrity.
Symbolism and ThemesBuilders in the Bible often symbolize human endeavor, creativity, and the potential for both obedience and rebellion against God. The act of building can reflect a desire to honor God, as seen in the construction of the Tabernacle and Temple, or a pursuit of self-glorification, as demonstrated by the Tower of Babel.
The role of builders also points to the importance of community and collaboration in fulfilling God's purposes. The construction of sacred spaces required the collective effort and skill of many individuals, each contributing their unique talents to the project.
In a spiritual sense, believers are called to be builders of God's kingdom, working together to edify the Church and spread the Gospel. This involves not only constructing physical spaces for worship but also nurturing the spiritual growth of the community through teaching, fellowship, and service.
Greek
3620b. oikodomos -- a builder... a builder. Transliteration: oikodomos Short Definition:
builders. Word Origin from
oikos and the same as doma Definition a builder NASB Word Usage
builders (1).
...3618. oikodomeo -- to build a house
... Word Origin from oikodomos Definition to build a house NASB Word Usage build (13),
builders (4), building (2), built (10), edified (1), edifies (3), edify (1...
Strong's Hebrew
7968. Shallun -- one of the postexilic wallbuilders... 7967, 7968. Shallun. 7969 . one of the postexilic wall
builders. Transliteration:
Shallun Phonetic Spelling: (shal-loon') Short Definition: Shallum.
...6764. Tsalaph -- father of one of thebuilders of the Jer. wall
... Tsalaph. 6765 . father of one of thebuilders of the Jer.... Word Origin of uncertain
derivation Definition father of one of thebuilders of the Jer....
1129. banah -- to build
... root Definition to build NASB Word Usage besieged* (1), build (112), build* (1),
builders (10), building (16), builds (8), built (177), construct (1...
1121. ben -- son
... 1), arrows (1), Assyrians* (3), baby (1), Babylonians* (3), beasts (1), being*
(1), Ben-hinnom* (7), bough (2), breed (1), brothers* (1),builders (1), bull...
Library
TheBuilders
... CHAPTER XV THEBUILDERS. "The house is not for me, it is for Him. His Royal...
ANON. THEBUILDERS. RELATING HOW THE SUPPLIES WERE USED. IN...
December the Seventh Chosen asBuilders
... DECEMBER The Seventh CHOSEN ASBUILDERS.... "Serve Him with a perfect heart." God's
chosenbuilders must be characterized by singleness and simplicity....
TheBuilders on the Wall
... After the Exile Chapter 53 TheBuilders on the Wall. [This chapter is based on Nehemiah
2; 3; and 4.]... Thebuilders were soon beset by more active opposition....
November the Twenty-First the EarlyBuilders
... NOVEMBER The Twenty-first THE EARLYBUILDERS. 1 KINGS viii.1-21. It is always
a healthy means of grace to link my own accomplishments...
How the Abbot Ceolfrid Sent Master-Builders to the King of the...
... How the Abbot Ceolfrid sent master-builders to the King of the Picts to build a
church, and with them an epistle concerning the catholic Easter and the Tonsure...
The Evolution of Early Congregationalism the Stone which the...
... THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN CONNECTICUT CHAPTER I THE EVOLUTION OF EARLY
CONGREGATIONALISM The stone which thebuilders rejected is become the head...
Of God's Coming Down to Confound the Languages of theBuilders of...
... Book XVI. Chapter 5."Of God's Coming Down to Confound the Languages of
theBuilders of the City. We read, "The Lord came down...
Of the Two Sons who were Commanded by their Father to Go into his...
... And He beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which
thebuilders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?" [1152] How...
The Church Triumphant
... world. Not without hindrance did thebuilders labor.... work. One after another
the foremost of thebuilders fell by the hand of the enemy....
Discouragements and Courage
... 18. For thebuilders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and
so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.19....
Thesaurus
Builders (24 Occurrences)...Builders (24 Occurrences).
... Mark 12:10 Haven't you even read this Scripture:'The stone
which the
builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner.
...Wall-builders (2 Occurrences)
Wall-builders. Wall, Wall-builders. Walled . Multi-Version
Concordance Wall-builders (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 12:12...
Capstone (7 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures,'The stone
which thebuilders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner....
Cornerstone (13 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:42 "Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus, "'The Stone which
thebuilders rejected has been made the Cornerstone: this Cornerstone came...
Woodworkers (6 Occurrences)
... out they gave regularly to those who were responsible for overseeing the work, and
these gave it in payment to the woodworkers and thebuilders who were...
Carpenters (11 Occurrences)
... out into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house
of Yahweh: and they paid it out to the carpenters and thebuilders, who worked...
Timber (32 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:18 Solomon'sbuilders and Hiram'sbuilders and the Gebalites did fashion
them, and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house....
Rejected (96 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures,'The stone
which thebuilders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner....
Writings (111 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:42 Jesus says to them, Did you never see in the Writings, The stone which
thebuilders put on one side, the same has been made the chief stone of...
Corner (60 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures,'The stone
which thebuilders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner....
Resources
Why is Jesus called the stumbling stone in Matthew 21:43-44? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Sumerians? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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