Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and General Overview:The term "skillful" in the Bible often refers to the possession of expertise, wisdom, or proficiency in a particular area. It is associated with the ability to perform tasks with excellence and precision, often as a result of God-given talent or divine inspiration. Skillfulness is highly valued in Scripture, as it reflects the order and creativity of God Himself.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, skillfulness is frequently mentioned in the context of craftsmanship and artistry. One of the most notable examples is found in the construction of the Tabernacle. God specifically chose Bezalel and Oholiab, filling them with His Spirit to be skillful in all kinds of craftsmanship:
· "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." (
Exodus 31:2-5)
Skillfulness is also associated with wisdom and understanding, as seen in the life of King Solomon. Solomon's wisdom was a divine gift that enabled him to rule skillfully:
· "God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore." (
1 Kings 4:29)
New Testament References:In the New Testament, skillfulness is often linked to spiritual gifts and the edification of the church. The Apostle Paul speaks of the various gifts given by the Holy Spirit, which include skills for teaching, administration, and other forms of service:
· "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one's gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do so cheerfully." (
Romans 12:6-8)
Theological Implications:Skillfulness is seen as a reflection of God's own nature, as He is the ultimate Creator and Designer. Human skill is a gift from God, meant to be used for His glory and the benefit of others. The Bible encourages believers to develop their skills and use them in service to God and His kingdom.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to cultivate their skills and talents, recognizing them as gifts from God. Whether in craftsmanship, leadership, teaching, or any other area, skillfulness should be pursued with diligence and humility. The parable of the talents (
Matthew 25:14-30) serves as a reminder of the responsibility to use one's skills wisely and productively.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive list of skills, it emphasizes the importance of using one's abilities for the glory of God and the good of others. Skillfulness, when aligned with God's purposes, becomes a powerful tool for advancing His kingdom on earth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Discerning; reasonable; judicious; cunning.
2. (a.) Possessed of, or displaying, skill; knowing and ready; expert; well-versed; able in management; as, a skillful mechanic; -- often followed by at, in, or of; as, skillful at the organ; skillful in drawing.
Greek
3835. panourgos -- ready to do anything, crafty,skillful... ready to do anything, crafty,
skillful. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
panourgos Phonetic Spelling: (pan-oor'-gos) Short Definition: cunning
...1990. epistemon -- knowing, skilled
... knowing, skilled. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epistemon Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-stay'-mone) Short Definition:skillful, experienced Definition...
Strong's Hebrew
2799. charosheth -- a carving,skillful working... 2798, 2799. charosheth. 2800 . a carving,
skillful working. Transliteration:
charosheth Phonetic Spelling: (khar-o'-sheth) Short Definition: carving.
...2450. chakam -- wise
... Word Origin from chakam Definition wise NASB Word Usage expert (1), men who are
skillful (1), sage (1), shrewd (2), skilled (2), skilled men (3), skilled men...
3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 1), recalls* (1), reflected* (1), regard* (1), self-exaltation* (1), sense (10),
senseless* (1), seriously (1), skill* (1), skilled* (1),skillful man* (1...
2803. chashab -- to think, account
... 1), purposed (3), reckoned (10), regard (1), regarded (8), regards (1), require
an accounting (1), scheme (1), schemed (1), seem (1),skillful (1),skillful...
2449. chakam -- to be wise
... acting wisely (1), becomes (1), been...wise (1), deal wisely (1), exceedingly (1),
make me wiser (1), makes us wiser (1), making wise (1),skillful (1), teach...
3045. yada -- to know
... raped (1), read* (1), realize (1), realized (5), recognize (2), recognized (1),
regard (1), satisfied* (1), seems (1), show (3), shown (1),skillful (3), sure...
4905b. maskil -- a contemplative poem
... a contemplative poem. Transliteration: maskil Short Definition: psalm. Word Origin
from sakal Definition a contemplative poem NASB Word Usageskillful psalm (1)...
8394. tebunah -- an understanding
... Word Origin from bin Definition an understanding NASB Word Usage discernment (1),
reasonings (1), skill (1),skillful (1), skillfully (1), understanding (37)....
3925. lamad -- to exercise in, learn
... to exercise in, learn NASB Word Usage accept (1), expert (1), instruct (1), instructors
(1), learn (15), learned (5), really learn (1),skillful (1), taught (15...
995. bin -- to discern
... 5), perceived (2), ponder (2), prudent (4), regard (1), show (1), show regard (2),
show understanding (1), show...regard (1), skilled (1),skillful (4), taught...
Library
The Abominable Error of the Heretics; the Divine vision of...
... beginning the cause of thy faith.' I received the vision as agreeing with the apostolic
word, which says to them that are stronger, Beskillful money-changers...
But we must Follow Our Preacher, who Can Only Turn Away with...
... Success, then, and a position of pre-eminence above one's competitors, gained by
skillful toil, is rather to be avoided as vanity and pursuit of the wind,"a...
How Solomon Fortified the City of Jerusalem, and Built Great...
... useful for shipping from the donations of Hiram king of Tyre; for he sent a sufficient
number of men thither for pilots, and such as wereskillful in navigation...
Of Miracles which were Wrought that the World Might Believe in...
... out with weeping, and driven by necessity, it occurred to him to call in an Alexandrian,
who was at that time esteemed a wonderfullyskillful operator, that he...
And Now, victorious and Mighty Constantine, in this Discourse...
... himself with this universe, and receiving into his hands the reins, as it were,
of the world, turns and directs it as askillful charioteer according to his...
The Singer of Pietism
... exceedingly varied. His masterly use of what was often considered an
inconsequential appendage to poetry is extraordinarilyskillful. Thus...
How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be...
... please thee, O king, thou mayst write to the high priest of the Jews, to send six
of the elders out of every tribe, and those such as are mostskillful of the...
Methodist Book Concern
... In this small way the number of books was gradually increased tinder theskillful
management of John Dickens, a man of inestimable worth as a Christian minister...
That the Judges who Succeeded Gideon Made War with the Adjoining...
... They were thirty in number, and veryskillful in riding on horses, and were
intrusted with the government of the cities of Gilead....
Life in Persia.
... article. He expressed his surprise that Europeans, who were soskillful
in making watches, should fail in any handicraft work. I...
Thesaurus
Skillful (42 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Possessed of, or displaying, skill; knowing and ready; expert; well-versed;
able in management; as, a
skillful mechanic; -- often followed by at, in
...Workman (22 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Hence, especially, askillful artificer or laborer. Int.... The work of the
skillful workman you shall make them. (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS)....
Craftsman (23 Occurrences)
... cherubim. The work of theskillful workman you shall make them. (See NIV).... cherubim.
The work of theskillful workman shall it be made. (See NIV)....
Twined (25 Occurrences)
... The work of theskillful workman you shall make them. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS
YLT RSV).... The work of theskillful workman shall it be made....
Yarn (37 Occurrences)
... cherubim. The work of theskillful workman you shall make them. (See NIV).... cherubim.
The work of theskillful workman shall it be made. (See NIV)....
Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 22:15 There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers
of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who areskillful in every kind...
Material (61 Occurrences)
... cherubim. The work of theskillful workman you shall make them. (See NAS).... cherubim.
The work of theskillful workman shall it be made. (See NAS)....
Skill (26 Occurrences)
... The American Standard Revised Version substitutes such expressions as "knoweth how"
(1 Kings 5:6) and "wereskillful with" (2 Chronicles 34:12)....
Scarlet (54 Occurrences)
... The work of theskillful workman you shall make them. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT
NAS RSV NIV).... The work of theskillful workman shall it be made....
Violet (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 2:7 Now therefore send me a manskillful to work in gold, and in silver,
and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and who...
Resources
What does the Bible say about art? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Esau in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the spiritual gift of leadership? | GotQuestions.orgSkillful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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