In the biblical context, manufacturers are individuals or groups involved in the production of goods, often through skilled craftsmanship or industrial processes. The Bible, while not explicitly using the term "manufacturers," provides numerous references to artisans, craftsmen, and workers who produce various items essential for daily life, worship, and commerce.

Biblical References and Context

1. Artisans and Craftsmen: The Bible frequently mentions skilled workers who create items for both sacred and secular use. In Exodus 31:1-5, God appoints Bezalel and Oholiab, filling them with the Spirit of God, to craft the Tabernacle and its furnishings: "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."

2. Construction and Building: The construction of Solomon's Temple involved numerous skilled laborers and manufacturers. In 1 Kings 7:13-14, Hiram of Tyre is noted for his expertise: "Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre. He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom, understanding, and skill to do all kinds of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work."

3. Commerce and Trade: Manufacturers played a crucial role in the economy of ancient Israel and surrounding nations. Proverbs 31:24 highlights the industrious nature of the virtuous woman, who engages in manufacturing and trade: "She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants."

4. Idolatry and False Worship: The Bible also warns against the manufacturing of idols. Isaiah 44:12-13 describes the futility of idol-making: "The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint. The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine."

Theological Implications

Manufacturers in the Bible are often seen as individuals endowed with God-given skills and talents. Their work is portrayed as a form of stewardship, where they use their abilities to serve God and the community. The production of goods, especially those used in worship, is seen as a sacred task, reflecting the divine order and creativity.

However, the Bible also cautions against the misuse of manufacturing skills, particularly in the creation of idols or objects that lead people away from true worship. This dual perspective highlights the importance of aligning one's work with God's purposes and maintaining integrity in all forms of production.

Cultural and Historical Significance

In ancient Israel, manufacturing was a vital part of daily life and the economy. Craftsmen and artisans were respected for their skills and contributed significantly to the community's well-being. The production of textiles, metalwork, pottery, and other goods not only met practical needs but also facilitated trade and cultural exchange with neighboring nations.

Overall, manufacturers in the biblical narrative are depicted as essential contributors to society, whose work, when aligned with divine principles, serves to honor God and benefit humanity.5647. abad -- to work, serve
... enslaved (3), given (1), holding in bondage (1), imposed (1), keep (2), labor (3),
laborers* (2), make servant (1), make slaves (2), manufacturers (1), observe ...
/hebrew/5647.htm - 6k

2796. charash -- engraver, artificer
... Word Usage artisan (1), blacksmith (1), carpenters (4), carpenters* (4), craftsman
(7), craftsmen (10), engraver (2), jeweler* (1), manufacturers (1), masons (1 ...
/hebrew/2796.htm - 6k

God, when one Believes in Him as You and I Do...
... form what we call a Nation; of proprietors of the soil, and proprietors of houses;
of investments, of handicrafts, of merchants, of manufacturers, of farmers ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/v god when one believes.htm

The Christian Conception of Life Has Already Arisen in Our Society ...
... upon it. Millowners and manufacturers build hospitals, schools, savings
banks, asylums, and dwellings for their workpeople. Some ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xi the christian conception.htm

To the Saddest of the Sad
... For every bit of its teaching they are accountable, because they were the manufacturers
of it, and it came forth from their foundry, bearing their stamp. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/to the saddest of the.htm

A Liberal Education: and Where to Find It.
... chapel into the broadest infidelity. The manufacturers and the capitalists
swell the chorus lustily. They declare that ignorance ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/iii a liberal education and.htm

Mr. Beecher in England
... The close relations between the cotton manufacturers of England and the vast cotton
producers of the South created a public sentiment in England in favour of ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/mr beecher in england.htm

Sanctified by Faith.
... When business men, manufacturers or merchants lose faith in one another, or in their
government, investments cease, machinery stops, panics occur, and hard ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter xv sanctified by faith.htm

The Waterpots at Cana
... The fire-waters and blazing spirits of modern wine manufacturers are very different
articles from the juice of the grape, mildly exhilarating, which was the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the waterpots at cana.htm

Of Elaborate Dressing of the Hair in Other Ways, and Its Bearing ...
... ornamentation. In vain do you labour to seem adorned: in vain do you call in
the aid of all the most skilful manufacturers of false hair. ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter vii of elaborate dressing of.htm

Laboring under Difficulties
... of Claudius, which commanded all Jews to leave Rome, Aquila and Priscilla had come
to Corinth, where they established a business as manufacturers of tents. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 33 laboring under difficulties.htm

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... At the end of this period came six reams; but partly from the manufacturers not
being accustomed to make this species of paper, and partly from the excessive ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 12.htm

Manufacturers (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Manufacturers (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 19:9 And all the
workers in linen thread, and those who make cotton cloth, will be put to shame. ...
/m/manufacturers.htm - 6k

Trust (201 Occurrences)
... (n.) To give credit to; to sell to upon credit, or in confidence of future payment;
as, merchants and manufacturers trust their customers annually with goods. ...
/t/trust.htm - 38k

Dye (1 Occurrence)
... purple." The inhabitants of these cities were at first simply dealers in the purple
(Ezekiel 27:7, 24), but they afterward became the manufacturers, as the ...
/d/dye.htm - 15k

Dyeing
... purple." The inhabitants of these cities were at first simply dealers in the purple
(Ezekiel 27:7, 24), but they afterward became the manufacturers, as the ...
/d/dyeing.htm - 14k

Man'unclean (1 Occurrence)
Man'unclean. Manufacturers, Man'unclean. Manure . Multi-Version Concordance
Man'unclean (1 Occurrence). ... Manufacturers, Man'unclean. Manure . Reference
/m/man'unclean.htm - 6k

Manual-labour (1 Occurrence)
Manual-labour. Mantles, Manual-labour. Manufacturers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Mantles, Manual-labour. Manufacturers . Reference Bible.
/m/manual-labour.htm - 6k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To buy and sell, as a broker; to purchase of importers or manufacturers
for the purpose of selling to retailers; as, to job goods. 10. ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

Crafts (2 Occurrences)
... The modern invasion of European manufacturers has not yet driven out the weavers
who toil at looms much like those described by the ancient Egyptian drawings. ...
/c/crafts.htm - 30k

Tabernacle (333 Occurrences)
... The monuments offer silent witness that every art required by the manufacturers
existed at the moment in Egypt, as eg the arts of metal-working, wood-carving ...
/t/tabernacle.htm - 101k

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