An artizan, or artisan, refers to a skilled craftsman or laborer who is proficient in a particular trade or craft. In biblical times, artisans played a crucial role in society, contributing to the construction, decoration, and maintenance of various structures, including the Tabernacle and the Temple. Their skills were highly valued, and their work was often seen as a form of worship and service to God.

Biblical References and Roles

1. Bezalel and Oholiab: Among the most notable artisans in the Bible are Bezalel and Oholiab, who were appointed by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle. Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God, endowed with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship (Exodus 31:2-5). Oholiab assisted him, and together they led a team of skilled workers in creating the sacred objects and furnishings for the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:6).

2. Construction of the Temple: King Solomon employed numerous artisans for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Skilled workers from Tyre, including Hiram, a craftsman in bronze, were brought in to create the intricate designs and furnishings for the Temple (1 Kings 7:13-14). These artisans were responsible for the detailed work that adorned the Temple, reflecting the glory and majesty of God.

3. Craftsmen in Society: Artisans in ancient Israel were involved in various trades, including metalworking, woodworking, weaving, and stone carving. Their work was essential for both religious and everyday life. The Bible acknowledges the importance of their skills, as seen in the construction of altars, the making of priestly garments, and the crafting of musical instruments used in worship (Exodus 28:3-4; 1 Chronicles 15:16).

4. Symbolism and Spiritual Significance: The work of artisans is often symbolic of divine creativity and order. The detailed instructions given by God for the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple highlight the importance of beauty and precision in worship. Artisans, through their craftsmanship, reflect the creativity of the Creator and contribute to the community's spiritual life.

5. New Testament Context: In the New Testament, the role of artisans continues to be significant. The Apostle Paul, for example, was a tentmaker by trade, which allowed him to support himself during his missionary journeys (Acts 18:3). This highlights the value of skilled labor and the dignity of work in the Christian life.

Artisans in the Bible are depicted as individuals endowed with God-given talents, serving both practical and spiritual purposes. Their contributions to the construction of sacred spaces and objects underscore the importance of craftsmanship in the worship and service of God.

Eunomius Again Speaks of the Son as Lord and God
... having received from the Father the power and the commission for creation, being
entrusted with the task of creation as if He were an artizan commissioned by ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 5 eunomius again speaks.htm

Christian Behavior
... It made an uneducated artizan wiser than all the philosophers who have been contented
with Plato, Aristotle, Pliny, Plutarch, and the most renowned of human ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

1875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower ...
... at Oberlin College. I was asked if I knew of one suited to become an
artizan-missionary among the tribe of the Basutos. His reply ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vi 1875-1877 mrs ways.htm

The Brethren at Home.
... For the labourer in the field, for the artizan in the workshop, for the tradesman
with his wares, for the baron and his tenants, for the master and his servants ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the brethren at.htm

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
... TG is a fine, manly artizan, a coach-painter, scarcely yet in middle life; lately
the somewhat bitter and very self-satisfied critic of his good and devoted ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter viii pastor in parish.htm

Fast-Day Service
... And yet the sempstress in her garret, and yet the tailor in his den, and yet the
artizan in his crowded factory, and yet the servants who earn your wealth, who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/fast-day service.htm

On the Interpretation of Scripture
... He can give no true answer to the mechanic or artizan who has either discovered
by his mother-wit or who retails at second-hand the objections of critics; for ...
/.../on the interpretation of scripture.htm

Artizan (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Artizan (7 Occurrences). Revelation 18:22 and
voice of harpers, and musicians, and pipers, and trumpeters ...
/a/artizan.htm - 8k

Refiner (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 40:19 The graven image poured out hath a artizan, And a refiner with gold
spreadeth it over, And chains of silver he is refining. (YLT). ...
/r/refiner.htm - 13k

Nebuchadrez'zar (31 Occurrences)
... Jehovah, -- after the removing by Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, of Jeconiah, son
of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the heads of Judah, and the artizan, and the ...
/n/nebuchadrez'zar.htm - 16k

Jeconi'ah (7 Occurrences)
... Jehovah, -- after the removing by Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, of Jeconiah, son
of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the heads of Judah, and the artizan, and the ...
/j/jeconi'ah.htm - 8k

Jehoi'akim (34 Occurrences)
... Jehovah, -- after the removing by Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, of Jeconiah, son
of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the heads of Judah, and the artizan, and the ...
/j/jehoi'akim.htm - 16k

Founder (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 41:7 And the artizan encouraged the founder, he that smootheth with the hammer
him that smiteth on the anvil, saying of the soldering, It is good; and ...
/f/founder.htm - 9k

Refining (8 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV YLT). Isaiah 40:19 The graven image poured out hath a artizan, And
a refiner with gold spreadeth it over, And chains of silver he is refining. ...
/r/refining.htm - 12k

Rotten (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 40:20 He who is poor 'by' heave-offerings, A tree not rotten doth choose,
A skilful artizan he seeketh for it, To establish a graven image -- not moved. ...
/r/rotten.htm - 9k

Removing (24 Occurrences)
... Jehovah, -- after the removing by Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, of Jeconiah, son
of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the heads of Judah, and the artizan, and the ...
/r/removing.htm - 14k

Beats (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 41:7 And strengthen doth an artizan the refiner, A smoother 'with' a hammer,
Him who is beating 'on' an anvil, Saying, 'For joining it 'is' good,' And ...
/b/beats.htm - 7k

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