Mechanics, in the context of the Bible, refers to the principles and laws governing physical forces and motion. While the Bible does not explicitly discuss mechanics as a scientific discipline, it contains numerous references to the natural world and the order established by God, which can be seen as foundational to the understanding of mechanics.

Creation and Order

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God establishes the universe with order and precision. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This act of creation implies the establishment of physical laws and principles that govern the universe. The orderly nature of creation is further emphasized in passages such as Job 38:4-7, where God questions Job about the foundations of the earth, highlighting the precision and intentionality behind the created order.

Divine Wisdom in Creation

The wisdom of God in creating the universe is a recurring theme in Scripture. Proverbs 3:19-20 declares, "The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew." This passage suggests that the principles governing the natural world, including mechanics, are a reflection of divine wisdom and understanding.

God's Sovereignty Over Natural Laws

Throughout the Bible, God's sovereignty over the natural world is evident. In the New Testament, Colossians 1:16-17 affirms, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage underscores the belief that the laws of mechanics, like all natural laws, are sustained by God's power and authority.

Miracles and Suspension of Natural Laws

The Bible also records instances where God intervenes in the natural order, performing miracles that temporarily suspend or alter the laws of mechanics. For example, in Joshua 10:12-14, God causes the sun to stand still, defying the normal mechanics of celestial motion. Similarly, in 2 Kings 6:5-7, Elisha causes an iron axe head to float, demonstrating God's power over the natural properties of matter.

Human Ingenuity and Craftsmanship

The Bible acknowledges human ingenuity and craftsmanship, which often involve an understanding of mechanical principles. In Exodus 31:2-5, God appoints Bezalel to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle, filling him with "the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship." This divine endowment includes skills that would encompass mechanical knowledge necessary for building and artistry.

Metaphorical Use of Mechanical Concepts

Scripture occasionally uses mechanical concepts metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. For instance, in Isaiah 64:8, the prophet compares God to a potter and humans to clay, illustrating God's sovereign shaping of human lives. This metaphor reflects the idea of God as the ultimate craftsman, applying His divine mechanics to mold and guide His creation.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a scientific treatise on mechanics, it offers a worldview in which the principles of mechanics are seen as part of God's orderly and purposeful creation. The natural laws governing motion and force are understood as reflections of divine wisdom, sustained by God's sovereign power, and occasionally superseded by His miraculous interventions.(n.) The study of the action of forces on bodies.2798. Charashim -- "craftsmen," a man of Judah
... Charashim, craftsmen. Plural of charash; mechanics, the name of a valley in Jerusalem --
Charashim, craftsmen. see HEBREW charash. 2797, 2798. ...
/hebrew/2798.htm - 6k

Fragments of the Books on Arithmetic.
... similar kinds. In addition to this, they thought that the man ought to be
versed in mechanics and geometry and dialectics. And still ...
/.../the paschal canon of anatolius of alexandria/fragments of the books on.htm

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... The same I say also of mechanics, workmen, and day-laborers, who all follow their
wanton notions, and never know enough ways to overcharge people, while they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not steal.htm

Laymen Called to the Field of Missions.
... aid to the minister in his arduous work; and a thousand offices are performed by
schoolmasters, physicians, lawyers, merchants, farmers, mechanics and artisans ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter v laymen called to.htm

Bourdaloue -- the Passion of Christ
... This was an unprecedented record and yet Bourdaloue could adapt his style to any
audience, and "mechanics left their shops, merchants their business, and ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bourdaloue the passion of.htm

Editorial Note
... He translated three books of Euclid, and wrote other mathematical works. He translated
and wrote books upon Music and Mechanics, and one upon Astronomy. ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/editorial note.htm

The Caroline Settlement
... melancholy evidence to the condition of the Parish Churches: they "were filled with
sectaries of all sorts, blasphemous and ignorant mechanics usurping the ...
/.../studies in the book of common prayer/chapter iv the caroline settlement.htm

The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation
... had followed him"the former in his Greek and Latin New Testament and in his Paraphrase
of the Word for "women and cobblers, clowns, mechanics, and even the ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter x the wyclif of.htm

The Beatific vision. (Continued. )
... With all his boasted discoveries in astronomy, chemistry, geology, mechanics, and
other kindred sciences, his knowledge of nature's secrets is still very ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter iii the beatific vision.htm

Swords Beaten into Ploughshares.
... We may here observe, in passing, that all Hindoo mechanics and other workpeople
regularly worship their tools and other instruments by which they gain their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter seven swords beaten into.htm

Germanus of Auxerre (Antistodorum).
... On his way he joined a company of poor mechanics, who were returning to their
homes after having completed a bargain in a foreign country. ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/germanus of auxerre antistodorum.htm

Mechanics (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The study of the action of forces on bodies.
Multi-Version Concordance Mechanics (2 Occurrences). ...
/m/mechanics.htm - 7k

Assyria (124 Occurrences)
... POPULATION V. TRADE AND LAW VI. ART VII. MECHANICS VIII. FURNITURE, POTTERY
AND EMBROIDERY IX. ... Glass was also manufactured. VII. Mechanics. ...
/a/assyria.htm - 101k

Navigation (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The management of sails, rudder, etc.; the mechanics of traveling by water;
seamanship. 4. (n.) Ships in general. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/n/navigation.htm - 7k

Grievance (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:38 If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his contention have
a grievance against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls ...
/g/grievance.htm - 10k

Interested (4 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:38 If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his contention have
a grievance against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls ...
/i/interested.htm - 8k

Fair (147 Occurrences)
... 19. (n.) A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for
purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair. Int. ...
/f/fair.htm - 40k

Employ (6 Occurrences)
... 19:24 There was a certain Demetrius, a silversmith, who made miniature silver
sanctuaries of Diana, a business which brought great gain to the mechanics in his ...
/e/employ.htm - 9k

Mecherathite (1 Occurrence)

/m/mecherathite.htm - 7k

Miniature (1 Occurrence)
... 19:24 There was a certain Demetrius, a silversmith, who made miniature silver
sanctuaries of Diana, a business which brought great gain to the mechanics in his ...
/m/miniature.htm - 7k

Mebun'nai (1 Occurrence)
Mebun'nai. Mebunnai, Mebun'nai. Mechanics . ... 2 Samuel 23:27 Abiezer the Anathothite,
Mebunnai the Hushathite; (See RSV). Mebunnai, Mebun'nai. Mechanics ...
/m/mebun'nai.htm - 6k

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