Handicraft, the skill of creating items by hand, is a practice deeply rooted in biblical history and culture. The Bible provides numerous references to the art of craftsmanship, highlighting its significance in the construction of sacred objects and everyday items. The practice of handicraft is often associated with divine inspiration and skill, as seen in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple.

Biblical Examples of Handicraft

1. The Tabernacle: The construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness is one of the most detailed accounts of handicraft in the Bible. God specifically chose Bezalel and Oholiab, filling them with the Spirit of God, to oversee the work. Exodus 31:3-5 states, "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."

2. The Temple of Solomon: The construction of Solomon's Temple also involved skilled artisans. 1 Kings 7:13-14 mentions Hiram of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze, who was brought to work on the Temple. His expertise was crucial in creating the intricate bronze work that adorned the Temple.

3. The Proverbs 31 Woman: The virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 is noted for her skills in handicraft. Proverbs 31:13 says, "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." Her ability to create clothing and other goods is a testament to the value placed on skilled handiwork.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Handicraft in the Bible often symbolizes human creativity as a reflection of God's creative power. The meticulous work of artisans in crafting sacred objects underscores the importance of beauty and order in worship. The skills of craftsmen are seen as gifts from God, meant to be used for His glory and the edification of His people.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, handicraft was an essential part of daily life. Craftsmen were responsible for producing tools, clothing, and household items. The skills were typically passed down through generations, ensuring the continuation of traditional techniques. The Bible's emphasis on craftsmanship highlights the value of manual labor and the dignity of work.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical portrayal of handicraft encourages diligence, attention to detail, and the pursuit of excellence. Colossians 3:23 advises, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men." This principle applies to all forms of work, including handicraft, urging believers to perform their tasks as an act of worship and service to God.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide exhaustive details on every aspect of handicraft, it clearly values the skill and dedication involved in creating by hand. The examples of Bezalel, Oholiab, and others serve as reminders of the divine inspiration and purpose behind human creativity.Handicraft

(Acts 18:3; 19:25; Revelation 18:22) A trade was taught to ail the Jewish boys as a necessary part of their education. Even the greatest rabbis maintained themselves by trades (Delitzsch). Says Rabbi Jehuda, "He who does not teach his son a trade is much the same as if he taught him to be a thief". In the present article brief notice only can be given of such handicraft trades as are mentioned in Scripture.

1. Smiths or metal-workers. --The preparation of iron for use either in war, in agriculture or for domestic purposes was doubtless one of the earliest applications of labor; and together with iron, working in brass, or rather copper alloyed with tin (bronze), is mentioned as practiced in antediluvian times. (Genesis 4:22) After the establishment of the Jews in Canaan, the occupation of a smith became recognized as a distinct employment- (1 Samuel 13:19) The smith's work and its results are often mentioned in Scripture. (2 Samuel 12:31; 1 Kings 6:7; 2 Chronicles 26:14; Isaiah 44:12; 54:16) The worker in gold and silver must have found employment among both the Hebrews and the neighboring nations in very early times. (Genesis 24:22,53; 35:4; 38:18) Various processes of the goldsmith's work are illustrated by Egyptian monuments. After the conquest frequent notices are found of both moulded and wrought metal, including soldering.
2. Carpenters are often mentioned in Scripture. (Genesis 6:14; Exodus 37; Isaiah 44:13) In the palace built by David for himself the workmen employed were chiefly foreigners. (2 Samuel 5:11) That the Jewish carpenters must have been able to carve with some skill is evident from (Isaiah 41:7; 44:13) In the New Testament the occupation of a carpenter is mentioned in connection with Joseph the husband of the Virgin Mary, and ascribed to our Lord himself. (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3) The trade included our cabinet work as well as carpentering.
3. The masons employed by David and Solomon, at least the chief of them, were Phoenicians. (1 Kings 5:18; Ezekiel 27:9) The large stones used in Solomon's temple are said by Josephus to have been fitted together exactly without either mortar or clamps, but the foundation stones to have been fastened with lead. For ordinary building mortar was used; sometimes, perhaps, bitumen, as was the case at Babylon. (Genesis 11:3) The wall "daubed with untempered mortar" of (Ezekiel 13:10) was perhaps a sort of cob-wall of mud or clay without lime, which would give way under heavy rain. The use of whitewash on tombs is remarked by our Lord. (Matthew 23:27)
4. Ship-building must have been exercised to some extent for the fishing-vessels on the Lake of Gennesaret. (Matthew 8:23; 9:1; John 21:3,8) Solomon built ships for his foreign trade. (1 Kings 9:26,27; 22:48; 2 Chronicles 20:36,37)
5. Apothecaries or perfumers appear to have formed a guild or association. (Exodus 30:25,35; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Nehemiah 3:8; Ecclesiastes 7:1; 10:1) Ecclus 38:8.
6. Weavers . --The arts of spinning and weaving both wool and linen were carried on in early times, as they usually are still among the Bedouins, by women. (Exodus 35:20,26; Leviticus 19:19; 22:11; 2 Kings 23:7; Ezekiel 16:16; Proverbs 31:13,14) The loom with its beam, (1 Samuel 17:7) pin, (Judges 16:14) and shuttles (Job 7:6) was perhaps introduced later, but as early as David's time. (1 Samuel 17:7)
7. Dyeing and dressing cloth were practiced in Palestine, as were also tanning and dressing leather . (Joshua 2:15-18; 2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4; Acts 9:43)
8. Barbers . (Numbers 6:5,19; Ezekiel 5:1)
9. Tentmakers are noticed in (Acts 18:3)
10. Potters are frequently alluded to. (Jeremiah 18:2-6)
11. Bakers are noticed in Scripture, (Jeremiah 37:21; Hosea 7:4) and the well-known valley Tyropoeon probably derived its name from the occupation of the cheese-makers, its inhabitants.
12. Butchers , not Jewish, are spoken of (1 Corinthians 10:25) Shoemakers, tailors, glaziers and glass vessels painters and gold workers are mentioned in the Mishna. Chel. viii. 9; xxix. 3,4; xxx. 1.

1. (n.) A trade requiring skill of hand; manual occupation; handcraft.

2. (n.) A man who earns his living by handicraft; a handicraftsman.

HANDICRAFT

han'-di-kraft.

See CRAFTS.

1987. epistamai -- to know, to understand
... 101). 1987 () in antiquity meant, "skilled in handicraft" (M. Vincent) --
referring to knowledge "resulting from " (Thayer, 118).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1987.htm - 7k

Life in Persia.
... article. He expressed his surprise that Europeans, who were so skillful
in making watches, should fail in any handicraft work. I ...
/.../rhea/life of henry martyn missionary to india and persia/life in persia.htm

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
... iv.1.] and that he may do this above all in "the duty that lies near," in the plain
things of the home, the business, the handicraft, the social circle. ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter viii pastor in parish.htm

Other Arts Made Subservient to Idolatry. Lawful Means of Gaining a ...
... men. "But there is difference in wages and the rewards of handicraft;"
therefore there is difference, too, in the labour required. ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter viii other arts made subservient.htm

Eighth Tractate. Nature Contemplation and the One.
... methods have been cited as parallel to the creative act of Nature, are unable to
make colours; all they can do to impose upon their handicraft colours taken ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/eighth tractate nature contemplation and.htm

Laboring under Difficulties
... secular employment as a means of self-support, yet at various times during his ministry
in the great centers of civilization he wrought at a handicraft for his ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 33 laboring under difficulties.htm

Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren.
... nor with much earnestness; but the poor man, far removed from delicate living and
gluttony and indolence; spending all his time in handicraft and honest labours ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/against publishing the errors of.htm

A Description of the Roman Armies and Roman Camps and of Other ...
... own tent, in the nature of a temple, insomuch, that it appears to be a city built
on the sudden, with its market-place, and place for handicraft trades, and ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of.htm

Of the Golden Age, of Images, and Prometheus, who First Fashioned ...
... Therefore he is foolish and senseless who adores that which he himself has made,
of which detestable and foolish handicraft Prometheus was the author, who was ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxv of the golden age.htm

The Human Race Then was Wasting
... made should waste away, because of the deceit practised on men by the devil.6.
Especially it was unseemly to the last degree that God's handicraft among men ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 6 the human race.htm

It Has Come to the Knowledge Of. The Holy Synod that Certain of ...
... be "mongers and covetous merchants" (Elfric's canons, xxx.), yet the canons of King
Edgar's reign ordered every priest "diligently to learn a handicraft" (No.11 ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon iii it has come.htm

Crafts (2 Occurrences)
... Second, from examples of ancient handicraft which have been buried and preserved
through many centuries and brought to light again by modern discoveries. ...
/c/crafts.htm - 30k

Scribes (85 Occurrences)
... by other means. Some undoubtedly had inherited wealth; others pursued a
handicraft besides their study of the Law. Rabbi Gamaliel ...
/s/scribes.htm - 49k

Handicraft
... 1. (n.) A trade requiring skill of hand; manual occupation; handcraft. 2. (n.) A
man who earns his living by handicraft; a handicraftsman. Int. ...HANDICRAFT. ...
/h/handicraft.htm - 6k

Mystery (31 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma. 5. (n.) A trade; a handicraft;
hence, any business with which one is usually occupied. ...
/m/mystery.htm - 42k

Carpenter (4 Occurrences)
... Is not this the carpenter's son?" (Matthew 13:55); also, "Is not this the carpenter?"
(Mark 6:3). Every Jew, even the rabbis, learned some handicraft: Paul was ...
/c/carpenter.htm - 10k

Artifice (1 Occurrence)
... wile; deception. 2. (n.) Crafty device; an artful, ingenious, or elaborate
trick. 3. (n.) A handicraft; a trade; art of making. 4. (n ...
/a/artifice.htm - 7k

Handfuls (7 Occurrences)

/h/handfuls.htm - 8k

Handing (10 Occurrences)

/h/handing.htm - 9k

Handicraft: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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