Study Notes: Jesus The Stonemason
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GREEK:
Uses of tektōn (2) G5045 τέκτων
Indeed, the definition is very general (‘builder’), and if there’s any specificity to it, it’s that this type of builder typically builds buildings (as opposed to chairs, boats, tables, swords, etc.). Thus, as RVL suggests, we have to ask what buildings are made of.
(Lev 14:33–57 seems to imply that houses from the earliest time were made of primary stone, though including some timber, stone being mentioned 5 times, plaster 6 times, and timber once.)
Root and related words:
technitēs:
God is referred to as a craftsman/designer (Heb 11) (the word ‘builder’ is dēmiourgos G1217 and this is the only place it’s used in the New Testament, so we cannot say it is a better word for someone who builds)
technē and homotechnos:
architektōn:
My takeaway from the Greek:
tektōn is indeed better translated to ‘builder,’ and its variations are certainly more general than a ‘[wood] carpenter’ and are better translated (and indeed more commonly translated) as a general ‘craftsman’
HEBREW:
Septuagint uses of tektōn:
1 Kgdms 13:19; 2 Kgdms 5:11; 3 Kgdms 7:2; 4 Kgdms 12:11; 4 Kgdms 22:6; 1 Ch 22:15; Pr 14:22; Sir 38:27; Is 40:19–20; Is 41:7 (Pictured here:)
To look at how all the Hebrew equivalents are used, here are some of the Hebrew words used throughout the Tanakh which the septuagint translates as some version of “tektōn,” how they are defined, their number of uses, and my takeaways.
2796: חָרָשׁ chârâsh, khaw-rawsh´; from 2790; a fabricator of any material: — artificer, (+) carpenter, craftsman, engraver, maker, + mason, skilful, (+) smith, worker, workman, such as wrought
Used 36 times and translated various ways in the ESV when it stands alone with no related words in the same verse/passage (blacksmith, worker [in bronze], craftsman [of wood], craftsman [of idols], craftsmen), but most often is a general ‘craftsman’ of some sort, which shows that the word is very general and is to be interpreted in context of the passage.
(1 sam 13:19) blacksmith
(1 kings 7:14) worker [in bronze]
(Jer 10:3) craftsman [of wood]
(Hosea 8:6, 13:2, Is. 40:19–20) craftsman [of idols]
(Zechariah 1:20) craftsmen
There are several times where this word is used multiple times in the same passage, but each use utilizes some sort of prefix or suffix to further specify the term (wood-fabricator, which is translated as “carpenter” or stone-fabricator, which is translated as “mason”), showing again that it is an inherently general word when it stands alone.
(1 Chron 14:1) “carpenter” is tree-builder (2796+6086) and “masons” is wall-builder (2796+7023). “builder/fabricator” in this case being 2796.
(2 Sam 5:11) carpenters 2796+6086, masons 2796+68+7023.
(2 Chronicles 24:12) carpenters 2796, “workers” [in iron and bronze] 2796. Note that ‘masons’ (2672) is also included in this passage, and since all of the others types of workers were specified, the translators interpreted 2796 directly to ‘carpenters’ since that was the only remaining type of worker for that type of work, not necessarily because the word itself must mean ‘carpenter.’
(Is. 44:12–13) ironsmith 2796+1270, carpenter 2796+6086
There are several times where this word is used in a list of other related words, which should show us even more clearly where this word fits in context of other words used for these types of building tradesmen. Through these examples, we see again that this is inherently a general word, not specific to woodworking. In these cases, it is translated thrice as ‘carpenter’ because it has a specific ’tree’ suffix, twice as ‘carpenter’ simply because I assume context led the translators to assume wood-work was the remaining type of work to be done in light of other more specific words used in the passage, once as ‘carpenter’ where it is used twice in the same verse but also translated as ‘workers [in iron and bronze],’ once as both ‘carpenter’ and ‘ironsmith’ in a verse where the suffix indicates the specificity of both uses, twice as ‘craftsmen,’ and once as ‘masons’ because it comes with a ’stone’ type suffix.
(2 kings 12:11) workmen [who had oversight, who were repairing] 6213+4399, carpenters 2796+6086, builders 1129, masons 1443, stonecutters 2672+68
(2 Kings 22:6) carpenters 2796, builders 1129, masons 1443
(2 kings 24:14–16) craftsmen 2796, smiths/metal workers 4525
(1 Chron 14:1) carpenter 2796+6086, masons 2796+7023
(2 Sam 5:11) carpenters 2796+6086, masons 2796+68+7023.
(1 Chron 22:15) workmen 6213+4399, stonecutters 2672, masons 2796+68, carpenters 2796+6086
(2 Chronicles 24:12) masons 2672, carpenters 2796, “workers” [in iron and bronze] 2796
(2 Chronicles 34:11) carpenters 2796, builders 1129
(Is. 41:7) craftsman 2796, goldsmith 6884
(Is. 44:12–13) ironsmith 2796+1270, carpenter 2796+6086
6086. עֵץ ʿêts, ates; from 6095; a tree (from its firmness); hence wood (plur. sticks): — + carpenter, gallows, helve, + pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.
This is the ’tree’ prefix/suffix used often to further specify which type of builder 2796 is referring to, and thus normally translated ‘carpenter.’ Note that at least once, this ‘tree’ word is translated directly as ‘carpenter’ even without some sort of ‘builder’ word attached to it. See all examples under 2796 above.
7023. קִיר qîyr, keer; or קִר qîr (Isa. 22:5), keer; or (fem.) קִירָה qîyrâh, kee-raw´; from 6979; a wall (as built in a trench): — + mason, side, town, × very, wall.
This is most often (66/74 KJV) translated as ‘wall,’ but is also used as a prefix/suffix to further specify which type of builder 2796 is referring to, such as in 2 Sam 5:11 (carpenters 2796+6086, masons 2796+68+7023)
68. אֶבֶן ʾeben, eh´-ben; from the root of 1129 through the mean. to build; a stone: — + carbuncle, + mason, + plummet, [chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-] stone (-ny), (divers) weight (-s).
Included as an additional prefix/suffix/qualifier in the example directly above (2 Sam 5:11) to specify a type of builder. This word itself is most often (247/269 KJV) translated as ’stone’ but is used in several cases as a prefix/suffix to specify a type of builder (stonecutter, mason, etc.)
(2 kings 12:11) workmen [who had oversight, who were repairing] 6213+4399, carpenters 2796+6086, builders 1129, masons 1443, stonecutters 2672+68
(1 Chron 22:15) workmen 6213+4399, stonecutters 2672, masons 2796+68, carpenters 2796+6086
1129. בָּנָה bânâh, baw-naw´; a prim. root; to build (lit.) and fig.): — (begin to) build (-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), × surely.
This primitive verb root is most often (340/376 KJV) translated as ‘build’ in English, but this root is not used in many words that translate to ‘builder,’ though there are a few. These 3 instances are all in passages where other types of more specific craftsmen are found in the same list, showing that this ‘builder’ is very general, and not specific to woodwork, stonework, etc. and no special prefixes/suffices are used to specify such crafts. Even though this word is used many times for ‘build’ it is rarely used for ‘builder’ and thus I find it less relevant to this study.
(2 kings 12:11) workmen [who had oversight, who were repairing] 6213+4399, carpenters 2796+6086, builders 1129, masons 1443, stonecutters 2672+68
(2 Kings 22:6) carpenters 2796, builders 1129, masons 1443
(2 Chronicles 34:11) carpenters 2796, builders 1129
1443. גָּדַר gâdar, gaw-dar´; a prim. root; to wall in or around: — close up, fence up, hedge, inclose, make up [a wall], mason, repairer.
This word is only used ten times and various English words are used. The 3+1 that involve some sort of trade title (mason, repairer) do imply stonework since the walls of the city/temple are implied and the word itself suggests enclosing something with walls (therefore stone), yet because of the other more general uses as well as the overall low quantity of uses, it would be a stretch to say that this is the primary word for stoneworkers.
(2 kings 12:11) workmen [who had oversight, who were repairing] 6213+4399, carpenters 2796+6086, builders 1129, masons 1443, stonecutters 2672+68
(2 kings 12:12) masons 1443, hewers of stone 2672+68
(2 Kings 22:6) carpenters 2796, builders 1129, masons 1443
(Is. 58:12) repairer [of the breach] 1443
2672. חָצַב châtsab, khaw-tsab´; or חָצֵב châtsêb, khaw-tsabe´; a prim. root; to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by impl. to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave: — cut, dig, divide, grave, hew (out, -er), make, mason.
This verb is used 25 times, and only 7 of these are titles for tradesmen (hewers/stonecutters, masons). Different from being a ‘builder,’ this is the person who acquires/sources the raw material. Though it’s more often used in the context of stone than wood, this is yet another general term that is made more specific in the passage by some sort of prefix/suffix (stone, wood, etc.).
(2 kings 12:11) workmen [who had oversight, who were repairing] 6213+4399, carpenters 2796+6086, builders 1129, masons 1443, stonecutters 2672+68
(2 kings 12:12) masons 1443, hewers of stone 2672+68
(1 Chron 22:15) workmen 6213+4399, stonecutters 2672, masons 2796+68, carpenters 2796+6086. For review, ‘masons’ 2796 and ‘carpenters’ 2796 are the same term already discussed (2796) where ’stone’ 68 and ’timber’ 6086 qualify it, making the uses of 2796 more general in nature on their own. This is like saying ‘builders of stone’ or ‘builders of wood.’ Thus, we contrast stonecutters/hewers 2672 which is different from the more general term ’to build’ and is more like ’to fetch from the source.’ It can also be qualified by stone 68 or wood 6086, so in English we might have ’stonecutters/hewers’ or ‘lumberjacks’ depending on which type of ‘fetcher’ we’re dealing with.
(2 Chronicles 24:12) masons 2672, carpenters 2796, “workers” [in iron and bronze] 2796
6213. עָשָׂה ʿâsâh, aw-saw´; a prim. root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows): — accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, × certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress (-ed), (put in) execute (-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, [fight-] ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfil, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ([a feast]), × indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, practise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, × sacrifice, serve, set, shew, × sin, spend, × surely, take, × throughly, trim, × very, + vex, be [warr-] ior, work (-man), yield, use.
This word is used 2633 times, most often as simply “do” (1333x) and otherwise translated many different ways in English (“wrought, deal, commit, offer, execute, keep, etc. (all used around 50x)), but most relevant to our study is when it’s translated as “make” 653x. This is obviously a very general verb, and only 13–16 times is translated as “maker” (KJV), all of which don’t refer to some sort of craftsmen, but God as Maker of all things. It’s used twice in our collection of passages where numerous types of workers are listed, and both times it comes with the qualifier 4399 (below). If we said 6213 is a general ‘doer’ or ‘maker’ of things, then adding 4399 makes him such according to occupation/employment. We might simply call this man an employee in these cases, and one example below implies a role of leadership.
(2 kings 12:11) workmen [who had oversight, who were repairing] 6213+4399, carpenters 2796+6086, builders 1129, masons 1443, stonecutters 2672+68
(1 Chron 22:15) workmen 6213+4399, stonecutters 2672, masons 2796+68, carpenters 6086
4399. מְלָאכָה melâʾkâh, mel-aw-kaw´; from the same as 4397; prop. deputyship, i.e. ministry; gen. employment (never servile) or work (abstr. or concr.); also property (as the result of labor): — business, + cattle, + industrious, occupation, (+ -pied), + officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work ([-man], -manship).
see explanation of 6213
(2 kings 12:11) workmen [who had oversight, who were repairing] 6213+4399, carpenters 2796+6086, builders 1129, masons 1443, stonecutters 2672+68
(1 Chron 22:15) workmen 6213+4399, stonecutters 2672, masons 2796+68, carpenters 6086
4525. מַסְגֵּר mac̨gêr, mas-gare´; from 5462; a fastener, i.e. (of a person) a smith, (of a thing) a prison: — prison, smith.
This is only used 7 times. Relevant to this study is only the fact that it’s listed among other tradesmen, but is not even necessarily the only word for ’smith.’
(2 kings 24:14–16) craftsmen 2796, smiths/metal workers 4525
(Is. 44:12–13) ironsmith 2796+1270, carpenter 2796+6086
1129. בָּנָה bânâh, baw-naw´; a prim. root; to build (lit.) and fig.): — (begin to) build (-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), × surely.
Most of this word’s uses (340/376 KJV) are translated as ‘build’ and only sometimes (10x) refers to a person (‘builder’).
(1 Kings 5:17–18) In context, this mostly refers to builders of stone who also prepared the timber needed in the building as well.
(2 Kings 12:11–12) This is a general ‘builder’ contrasted with carpenters (2796+6086), masons (1443), and hewers of stone (2672+68).
(2 Kings 22:6) This use of ‘builders’ is contrasted with carpenters (2796) and masons (1443) in the context of the use of both wood and stone.
(2 Chron 34:11) This use of ‘builders’ is contrasted with artificers (2796) in the context of the use of both wood and stone.
(Ezra 3:10) These ‘builders’ are the ones who laid the foundation of the temple (which is stone).
(Neh 4:5) These are the ‘builders’ of the wall (which is stone)
(Neh 4:18) These are the ‘builders’ of the wall (which is stone)
(Ps. 118:22) This use of ‘builders’ refers to builders of stone
(Ezekiel 27:4) These are the ‘builders’ of Tyre, in context clearly referring to the building of the [wooden] boats of which Tyre was famous.
H2450 ḥāḵām — skilful in technical work; artificers Isaiah 3:3; sailors Ezekiel 27:8, so (probably) Ezekiel 27:9; mourning women Jeremiah 9:16; artisans of tabernacle and temple and their furniture Exodus 28:3; Exodus 31:6; Exodus 35:10; Exodus 36:1, 2, 4, 8 (P), 1 Chronicles 22:15; 2 Chronicles 2:6; 2 Chronicles 2:12; 2 Chronicles 2:13 (twice in verse); women in spinning Exodus 35:25 (P); goldsmiths and other artisans Jeremiah 10:9; makers of idol-images Isaiah 40:20.
This word, used 137x (KJV) is most often (109x) translated as ‘wise,’ but for our study’s relevancy refers to ‘wise/skilled/crafty builders.’ From the examples above (perhaps particularly Ex 31:3–6 and 35:30–35) it is clear that these were builders that worked with all types of raw materials.
My takeaway from the Hebrew:
Though I can’t currently find the word that RVL suggests is the best Hebrew equivalent, all of the Hebrew equivalents I found myself (including the one that the septuagint links to tektōn) are also general words for building/crafting and often need qualifying prefixes/suffices to specify wood, stone, or metal, even though there are also more specific words that could be used for such things. If the septuagint links tektōn to more general words for ‘builder’ when more specific words exist in Hebrew, it is still right to say that tektōn is best translated as a general ‘builder’ [of buildings/structures].
