Lexical Summary technités: Craftsman, artisan, skilled worker Original Word: τεχνίτης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance builder, craftsman. From techne; an artisan; figuratively, a founder (Creator) -- builder, craftsman. see GREEK techne NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom techné Definition a craftsman, artificer NASB Translation architect (1), craftsman (1), craftsmen (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5079: τεχνίτηςτεχνίτης, τεχνίτου, ὁ (τέχνη), from Sophocles ((?), Plato), Xenophon down, the Sept. several times for חָרָשׁ, an artificer, craftsman: Acts 19:24, 38; Revelation 18:22; of God the framer of the higher and eternal course of things, Hebrews 11:10 (of God the architect of the world, Wis. 13:1, where cf. Grimm, Exeget. Hdbch., p. 234 (cf. also Trench, Synonyms, § cv.; Piper, Monumentale Theol. § 26)). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope The term denotes a skilled worker, artisan, or designer—someone who possesses both technical ability and creative insight to fashion, build, or craft. In Scripture it can describe human laborers devoted to their trade, yet it is also applied to God Himself as the supreme Designer. Occurrences in the New Testament • Acts 19:24 – “For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought much business to the craftsmen.” Historical and Cultural Background In the Greco-Roman world artisans often organized into guilds tied to patron deities. At Ephesus, silver-workers produced miniature temples of Artemis for pilgrims. These trades were lucrative yet religiously charged, intertwining commerce, civic pride, and idolatry. Consequently, Paul’s gospel proclamation threatened economic interests (Acts 19:23-27), illustrating how the call to forsake idols collides with entrenched cultural industries. Contrast between Human Craft and Divine Craft Acts highlights craftsmen whose skill is employed in service of false gods; Hebrews reveals the living God as the master craftsman of a city “with foundations.” Revelation announces the ultimate silencing of every earthly craft within Babylon, underscoring the transience of human achievement when set against God’s kingdom (Revelation 18:21-24). Biblical Theology of Craftsmanship 1. God as Craftsman: From creation (Genesis 1-2; Psalm 19:1) to the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21), Scripture presents the Lord as designer and builder. Hebrews 11:10 extends this motif, portraying Abraham’s hope in a divinely built city. Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Vocation affirmed: Skilled labor is honorable when practiced unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). Believers in technical or creative fields can view their work as participation in God’s ongoing provision and order. Key Themes for Teaching and Preaching 1. The dignity of work and craftsmanship under God. Forms and Transliterations τεχνιται τεχνίται τεχνῖται τεχνιταις τεχνίταις τεχνίτας τεχνιτης τεχνίτης τεχνίτου τεχνιτών Τηβήθ τήγανον τηγάνου technitai technîtai technitais technítais technites technitēs technítes technítēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 19:24 N-DMPGRK: παρείχετο τοῖς τεχνίταις οὐκ ὀλίγην NAS: little business to the craftsmen; KJV: small gain unto the craftsmen; INT: brought to the craftsmen no little Acts 19:38 N-NMP Hebrews 11:10 N-NMS Revelation 18:22 N-NMS Strong's Greek 5079 |