Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CARPENTER

The skill of carpentry was not fully developed in OT Israel. Perhaps because of their nomadic background, the Israelites depended on the more highly skilled artisans from Tyre in the construction of the temple and palaces under David and Solomon. King Hiram sent carpenters (Heb. ḥārāš ʿēṣ, “worker in wood”) for these projects (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Chr. 14:1). Later, when the temple needed repairs, Jehoash and Josiah were able to find native carpenters for the renovation projects (2 Kgs. 12:11; 22:6). However, the Babylonian Captivity depleted Jerusalem of these skilled carpenters, along with other artisans and wealthy citizens (Jer. 24:1). In Zerubbabel’s time carpenters were imported from Phoenicia for the construction of the temple (Ezra 3:7).

Carpenters’ tools included the compass, pencil, plane, saw, hammer, ax, adz, chisel, plumb line, drill, file, and square (Isa. 44:13; Amos 7:7-8). Joints could be formed with the use of dowels and nails. Mortised, dovetailed, and mitered joints were common. Artwork from tombs, especially in Egypt, illustrates the use of these tools and techniques. In some cities, carpenters may have formed guilds (1 Chr. 4:14), and they also used their skills to carve idols (Isa. 40:20; Jer. 10:3).

In the NT carpentry included the construction of yokes, plows, threshing boards, benches, beds, boxes, coffins, boats, and houses. Larger construction projects, such as those sponsored by the Herods, may have provided employment for carpenters (téktōn) such as Joseph and Jesus (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). The addition of a room to Palestinian homes was common and in some cases might require the help of a carpenter.

Bibliography. H. Hodges, Technology in the Ancient World (New York, 1980); S. Safrai and M. Stern, eds., The Jewish People in the First Century, 2 vols. (Assen, 1974-76).

Dennis Gaertner

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CARPENTER

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)