A gouge is a chisel with a curved, hollow blade, often used in woodworking or carving. While the specific term "gouge" does not appear in the Bible, the concept of tools used for carving and shaping materials is present throughout the Scriptures. The use of such tools is often associated with craftsmanship, artistry, and the construction of sacred objects.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Craftsmanship in the Tabernacle and Temple:
The construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple involved skilled artisans who used various tools to create intricate designs and structures. In Exodus 31:3-5 , God speaks of Bezalel, whom He filled "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." While the specific tool "gouge" is not mentioned, the reference to carving wood implies the use of such implements.

2. Idolatry and Carved Images:
The Bible frequently warns against the creation and worship of carved images, which would have been made using tools like gouges. In Isaiah 44:13 , the prophet describes the process of idol-making: "The woodworker stretches out a measuring line; he outlines it with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it in the form of a man, like a man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine." This passage highlights the skill involved in carving, while also condemning the practice when used for idolatry.

3. Symbolism of Shaping and Forming:
The act of carving or shaping with tools like gouges can also be seen as a metaphor for God's work in shaping His people. In Jeremiah 18:6 , God compares Himself to a potter: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? declares the LORD. Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel." While this metaphor specifically uses pottery, the broader concept of shaping and forming is applicable to the use of carving tools.

Theological Implications

The use of tools such as gouges in the Bible underscores the importance of skill and craftsmanship in the service of God. The artisans who built the Tabernacle and Temple were endowed with divine wisdom and skill, reflecting the value God places on beauty and order in worship. Conversely, the misuse of such skills for idolatry serves as a warning against turning away from the Creator to worship created things.

In a broader sense, the imagery of carving and shaping can be seen as a reflection of God's ongoing work in the lives of believers. Just as a craftsman uses tools to create something beautiful and purposeful, God shapes and molds His people, refining them for His glory and service.1. (n.) A chisel, with a hollow or semi cylindrical blade, for scooping or cutting holes, channels, or grooves, in wood, stone, etc.; a similar instrument, with curved edge, for turning wood.

2. (n.) A bookbinder's tool for blind tooling or gilding, having a face which forms a curve.

3. (n.) An incising tool which cuts forms or blanks for gloves, envelopes, etc. from leather, paper, etc.

4. (n.) Soft material lying between the wall of a vein aud the solid vein.

5. (n.) The act of scooping out with a gouge, or as with a gouge; a groove or cavity scooped out, as with a gouge.

6. (n.) Imposition; cheat; fraud; also, an impostor; a cheat; a trickish person.

1846. exorusso -- to dig out or up
... to dig out or up. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exorusso Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-or-oos'-so) Short Definition: I dig out, gouge Definition: (a) I dig out ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1846.htm - 6k5365. naqar -- to bore, pick, dig
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to bore, pick, dig NASB Word Usage dug
(1), gouge (1), gouged (1), pick (1), pierces (1), put (1). ...
/hebrew/5365.htm - 6k

The Westminster Confession.
... Confession of Faith was made Aug.20, 1644, and embraced, besides the Commissioners
of the Church of Scotland, the following Englishmen: Dr. Gouge, Mr. Gataker ...
/.../ 94 the westminster confession.htm

Chapter ix
... Naturally, this provision would rule out all such cruel practices as those of the
Abyssinians, who gouge out portions of meat from the shanks of living animals ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter ix.htm

The Puritan Beginnings of the Church in virginia ---Its Decline ...
... What was his position in relation to church parties is shown by his letter to his
cousin, the "arch-Puritan," William Gouge, written after three years ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter v the puritan beginnings.htm

INDEX TO VOL. I.
... Gindely, [612]565 and passim. Gomarus, [613]511. Good Works, necessity of,
[614]274. Goodwin (Thomas), [615]737, [616]742. Gouge (William), [617]756. ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/index to vol i.htm

Theological Systems Devised to Harmonize the Dogmas of Grace and ...
... cite the case of a well-bred man who, though physically free and able to do so,
would never turn summersaults on a public thoroughfare or gouge out his own eyes ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 2 theological systems devised.htm

Biographical Preface.
... made to suppress the Bishop's name upon the title-page; and when a new edition was
printed in the Welsh language, a person of the name of Gouge caused the title ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/biographical preface.htm

The Holy War,
... Erasmus, Gouge, and many other of our Reformers, Puritans, and Nonconformists,
commented upon the Christian's armour and weapons. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Gouge (4 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The act of scooping out with a gouge, or as with a gouge; a groove
or cavity scooped out, as with a gouge. ...Gouge (4 Occurrences). ...
/g/gouge.htm - 8k

Gotten (38 Occurrences)

/g/gotten.htm - 18k

Gouged (1 Occurrence)

/g/gouged.htm - 6k

Tools (3 Occurrences)
... implements took the place of the plane. For wood-carving the concave chisel
(gouge) may have been invented. The pencil of Isaiah 44:13 ...
/t/tools.htm - 14k

Rout (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A bellowing; a shouting; noise; clamor; uproar; disturbance; tumult.
3. (vt) To scoop out with a gouge or other tool; to furrow. ...
/r/rout.htm - 9k

Chisel (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To cut, pare, gouge, or engrave with a chisel; as, to chisel a block of
marble into a statue. 3. (vt) To cut close, as in a bargain; to cheat. ...
/c/chisel.htm - 8k

Selvedge (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The edge plate of a lock, through which the bolt passes. 3. (n.) A layer
of clay or decomposed rock along the wall of a vein. See Gouge. Int. ...
/s/selvedge.htm - 8k

Did Jesus mean we should literally pluck out our eyes and cut off our hands in Matthew 5:29-30 and 18:8-9? | GotQuestions.org

Is it a sin for a Christian to go to a strip club or to watch strippers? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about flirting? | GotQuestions.org

Gouge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus