Topical Bible: Skillful

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and General Overview:
The term "skillful" in the Bible often refers to the possession of expertise, wisdom, or proficiency in a particular area. It is associated with the ability to perform tasks with excellence and precision, often as a result of God-given talent or divine inspiration. Skillfulness is highly valued in Scripture, as it reflects the order and creativity of God Himself.

Old Testament References:
In the Old Testament, skillfulness is frequently mentioned in the context of craftsmanship and artistry. One of the most notable examples is found in the construction of the Tabernacle. God specifically chose Bezalel and Oholiab, filling them with His Spirit to be skillful in all kinds of craftsmanship:

· "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." (Exodus 31:2-5)

Skillfulness is also associated with wisdom and understanding, as seen in the life of King Solomon. Solomon's wisdom was a divine gift that enabled him to rule skillfully:

· "God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore." (1 Kings 4:29)

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, skillfulness is often linked to spiritual gifts and the edification of the church. The Apostle Paul speaks of the various gifts given by the Holy Spirit, which include skills for teaching, administration, and other forms of service:

· "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one's gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do so cheerfully." (Romans 12:6-8)

Theological Implications:
Skillfulness is seen as a reflection of God's own nature, as He is the ultimate Creator and Designer. Human skill is a gift from God, meant to be used for His glory and the benefit of others. The Bible encourages believers to develop their skills and use them in service to God and His kingdom.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to cultivate their skills and talents, recognizing them as gifts from God. Whether in craftsmanship, leadership, teaching, or any other area, skillfulness should be pursued with diligence and humility. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) serves as a reminder of the responsibility to use one's skills wisely and productively.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive list of skills, it emphasizes the importance of using one's abilities for the glory of God and the good of others. Skillfulness, when aligned with God's purposes, becomes a powerful tool for advancing His kingdom on earth.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (a.) Discerning; reasonable; judicious; cunning.

2. (a.) Possessed of, or displaying, skill; knowing and ready; expert; well-versed; able in management; as, a skillful mechanic; -- often followed by at, in, or of; as, skillful at the organ; skillful in drawing.

Greek

3835. panourgos -- ready to do anything, crafty, skillful
... ready to do anything, crafty, skillful. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
panourgos Phonetic Spelling: (pan-oor'-gos) Short Definition: cunning ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3835.htm - 7k

1990. epistemon -- knowing, skilled
... knowing, skilled. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epistemon Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-stay'-mone) Short Definition: skillful, experienced Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1990.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

2799. charosheth -- a carving, skillful working
... 2798, 2799. charosheth. 2800 . a carving, skillful working. Transliteration:
charosheth Phonetic Spelling: (khar-o'-sheth) Short Definition: carving. ...
/hebrew/2799.htm - 6k

2450. chakam -- wise
... Word Origin from chakam Definition wise NASB Word Usage expert (1), men who are
skillful (1), sage (1), shrewd (2), skilled (2), skilled men (3), skilled men ...
/hebrew/2450.htm - 6k

3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 1), recalls* (1), reflected* (1), regard* (1), self-exaltation* (1), sense (10),
senseless* (1), seriously (1), skill* (1), skilled* (1), skillful man* (1 ...
/hebrew/3820.htm - 7k

2803. chashab -- to think, account
... 1), purposed (3), reckoned (10), regard (1), regarded (8), regards (1), require
an accounting (1), scheme (1), schemed (1), seem (1), skillful (1), skillful ...
/hebrew/2803.htm - 6k

2449. chakam -- to be wise
... acting wisely (1), becomes (1), been...wise (1), deal wisely (1), exceedingly (1),
make me wiser (1), makes us wiser (1), making wise (1), skillful (1), teach ...
/hebrew/2449.htm - 6k

3045. yada -- to know
... raped (1), read* (1), realize (1), realized (5), recognize (2), recognized (1),
regard (1), satisfied* (1), seems (1), show (3), shown (1), skillful (3), sure ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

4905b. maskil -- a contemplative poem
... a contemplative poem. Transliteration: maskil Short Definition: psalm. Word Origin
from sakal Definition a contemplative poem NASB Word Usage skillful psalm (1) ...
/hebrew/4905b.htm - 5k

8394. tebunah -- an understanding
... Word Origin from bin Definition an understanding NASB Word Usage discernment (1),
reasonings (1), skill (1), skillful (1), skillfully (1), understanding (37). ...
/hebrew/8394.htm - 6k

3925. lamad -- to exercise in, learn
... to exercise in, learn NASB Word Usage accept (1), expert (1), instruct (1), instructors
(1), learn (15), learned (5), really learn (1), skillful (1), taught (15 ...
/hebrew/3925.htm - 6k

995. bin -- to discern
... 5), perceived (2), ponder (2), prudent (4), regard (1), show (1), show regard (2),
show understanding (1), show...regard (1), skilled (1), skillful (4), taught ...
/hebrew/995.htm - 7k

Library

The Abominable Error of the Heretics; the Divine vision of ...
... beginning the cause of thy faith.' I received the vision as agreeing with the apostolic
word, which says to them that are stronger, Be skillful money-changers ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii the abominable error of.htm

But we must Follow Our Preacher, who Can Only Turn Away with ...
... Success, then, and a position of pre-eminence above one's competitors, gained by
skillful toil, is rather to be avoided as vanity and pursuit of the wind,"a ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter iv but we must.htm

How Solomon Fortified the City of Jerusalem, and Built Great ...
... useful for shipping from the donations of Hiram king of Tyre; for he sent a sufficient
number of men thither for pilots, and such as were skillful in navigation ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how solomon fortified.htm

Of Miracles which were Wrought that the World Might Believe in ...
... out with weeping, and driven by necessity, it occurred to him to call in an Alexandrian,
who was at that time esteemed a wonderfully skillful operator, that he ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of miracles which were.htm

And Now, victorious and Mighty Constantine, in this Discourse...
... himself with this universe, and receiving into his hands the reins, as it were,
of the world, turns and directs it as a skillful charioteer according to his ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xi and now victorious.htm

The Singer of Pietism
... exceedingly varied. His masterly use of what was often considered an
inconsequential appendage to poetry is extraordinarily skillful. Thus ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter nine the singer of.htm

How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be ...
... please thee, O king, thou mayst write to the high priest of the Jews, to send six
of the elders out of every tribe, and those such as are most skillful of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how ptolemy philadelphus.htm

Methodist Book Concern
... In this small way the number of books was gradually increased tinder the skillful
management of John Dickens, a man of inestimable worth as a Christian minister ...
/.../chapter 16 methodist book concern.htm

That the Judges who Succeeded Gideon Made War with the Adjoining ...
... They were thirty in number, and very skillful in riding on horses, and were
intrusted with the government of the cities of Gilead. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 that the judges.htm

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

Thesaurus

Skillful (42 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Possessed of, or displaying, skill; knowing and ready; expert; well-versed;
able in management; as, a skillful mechanic; -- often followed by at, in ...
/s/skillful.htm - 19k

Workman (22 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Hence, especially, a skillful artificer or laborer. Int. ... The work of the
skillful workman you shall make them. (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS). ...
/w/workman.htm - 17k

Craftsman (23 Occurrences)
... cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them. (See NIV). ... cherubim.
The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. (See NIV). ...
/c/craftsman.htm - 13k

Twined (25 Occurrences)
... The work of the skillful workman you shall make them. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS
YLT RSV). ... The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. ...
/t/twined.htm - 13k

Yarn (37 Occurrences)
... cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them. (See NIV). ... cherubim.
The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. (See NIV). ...
/y/yarn.htm - 18k

Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 22:15 There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers
of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skillful in every kind ...
/c/craftsmen.htm - 14k

Material (61 Occurrences)
... cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them. (See NAS). ... cherubim.
The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. (See NAS). ...
/m/material.htm - 24k

Skill (26 Occurrences)
... The American Standard Revised Version substitutes such expressions as "knoweth how"
(1 Kings 5:6) and "were skillful with" (2 Chronicles 34:12). ...
/s/skill.htm - 19k

Scarlet (54 Occurrences)
... The work of the skillful workman you shall make them. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT
NAS RSV NIV). ... The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. ...
/s/scarlet.htm - 26k

Violet (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 2:7 Now therefore send me a man skillful to work in gold, and in silver,
and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and who ...
/v/violet.htm - 8k

Resources

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

Who was Esau in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of leadership? | GotQuestions.org

Skillful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Skillful (42 Occurrences)

Genesis 25:27
The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.
(WEB WBS NAS NIV)

Exodus 26:1
"Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them.
(WEB NAS)

Exodus 26:31
"You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. The work of the skillful workman shall it be made.
(WEB NAS)

Exodus 28:3
You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.
(See NAS)

Exodus 28:6
"They shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman.
(WEB NAS)

Exodus 28:15
"You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it.
(WEB NAS)

Exodus 31:4
to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
(WEB)

Exodus 31:6
I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
(See NAS)

Exodus 35:10
"'Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that Yahweh has commanded:
(See NAS)

Exodus 35:32
and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in brass,
(WEB)

Exodus 35:33
in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship.
(WEB)

Exodus 36:1
"Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom Yahweh has put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Yahweh has commanded."
(See NAS)

Exodus 36:2
Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Yahweh had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it:
(See NAS)

Exodus 36:4
All the wise men, who performed all the work of the sanctuary, each came from his work which they did.
(See NAS)

Exodus 36:8
All the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, with cherubim, the work of the skillful workman, they made them.
(WEB NAS)

Exodus 36:35
He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman.
(WEB NAS)

Exodus 38:23
With him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen.
(WEB WBS NAS)

Exodus 39:3
They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, in the purple, in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman.
(WEB NAS)

Exodus 39:8
He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod; of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
(WEB NAS)

1 Samuel 16:16
Let our lord now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. It shall happen, when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well."
(WEB WBS NAS)

1 Samuel 16:18
Then one of the young men answered, and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Yahweh is with him."
(WEB WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 5:18
The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skillful in war, were forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty, that were able to go forth to war.
(WEB KJV WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 15:22
Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful.
(WEB KJV WBS NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 22:15
There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skillful in every kind of work:
(WEB WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 25:7
The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to Yahweh, even all who were skillful, was two hundred eighty-eight.
(WEB WBS NAS)

2 Chronicles 2:7
Now therefore send me a man skillful to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and who knows how to engrave all manner of engravings, to be with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
(WEB WBS)

2 Chronicles 2:13
Now I have sent a skillful man, endowed with understanding, of Huram my father's,
(WEB WBS)

2 Chronicles 26:15
He made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and on the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. His name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, until he was strong.
(WEB WBS NAS NIV)

2 Chronicles 34:12
The men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and others of the Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music.
(WEB NAS)

Psalms 45:1
For the Chief Musician. Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
(WEB NIV)

Psalms 47:7
For God is the King of all the earth; sing ye praises in a skilful song.
(See NAS)

Psalms 58:5
which doesn't listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skillful the charmer may be.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Psalms 78:72
So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
(Root in WEB WBS NAS NIV)

Song of Songs 7:1
How beautiful are your feet in sandals, prince's daughter! Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a skillful workman.
(WEB WBS)

Isaiah 3:3
The captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the skillful artificer, and the eloquent orator.
(WBS NAS)

Isaiah 40:20
He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up an engraved image for him that will not be moved.
(WEB WBS NAS)

Jeremiah 9:17
Thus says Yahweh of Armies, Consider, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the skillful women, that they may come:
(WEB WBS NIV)

Jeremiah 10:9
There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skillful men.
(WEB WBS)

Ezekiel 21:31
I will pour out my indignation on you; I will blow on you with the fire of my wrath; and I will deliver you into the hand of brutish men, skillful to destroy.
(WEB WBS)

Daniel 1:4
youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and endowed with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans.
(WEB WBS)

Amos 5:16
Therefore thus says Yahweh, the God of Armies, the Lord: "Wailing will be in all the broad ways; and they will say in all the streets,'Alas! Alas!' and they will call the farmer to mourning, and those who are skillful in lamentation to wailing.
(WEB WBS)

Zechariah 9:2
and Hamath, also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Skillful

Skillful Men

Related Terms

Workman (22 Occurrences)

Craftsman (23 Occurrences)

Twined (25 Occurrences)

Yarn (37 Occurrences)

Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)

Material (61 Occurrences)

Skill (26 Occurrences)