Bible Encyclopedias
Builder

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bild´ẽr ( בּנה , bānāh ; οἰκοδομέω , oikodoméō , τεχνίτης , technı́tēs ): "To build," "builder," ete, are in the Old Testament commonly the translation of banah, "to build," occurring very frequently; see BUILD; BUILDING . The literal significance leads also to several figurative applications, especially to God as Divine Builder (1) as establishing , e.g. the nation (Psalm 69:35; Psalm 102:16; Jeremiah 12:16 ), the throne of David (Psalm 89:4 ), Jerusalem (Psalm 147:2 ); (2) in restoration - rebuilding ( Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 61:4; Isaiah 65:21; Jeremiah 31:4 , Jeremiah 31:28; Jeremiah 42:10; Ezekiel 36:36; Amos 9:11; compare Acts 15:16 ); (3) as establishing in prosperity (Job 22:23; 1 Samuel 2:35; Jeremiah 24:6; compare Genesis 16:2 the Revised Version, margin, Hebrew, "be builded by her"); (4) The firm establishment of the Divine attributes ( Psalm 89:2 ); (5) Divine opposition (Lamentations 3:5 , "He hath builded against me"); compare Job 19:8; (6) The choosing of a corner-stone which the builders rejected ( Psalm 118:22 , Psalm 118:23; quoted by Christ (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17 ); by Peter (Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7 )).

In the New Testament Christians are represented as being (1) built by God (1 Corinthians 3:9 , 1 Corinthians 3:16 ) on Christ as the one foundation (Matthew 16:18 , on Jesus as the Christ; 1 Peter 2:5 f; Acts 9:31 the Revised Version, margin; Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 3:10 , 1 Corinthians 3:12 , 1 Corinthians 3:14 ( epoikodoméō ); Ephesians 2:20 ); (2) as being continuously and progressively built up in their faith and life (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 8:1 the Revised Version, margin, "buildeth up"; 1 Corinthians 10:23 margin, Greek "build up"; 1 Corinthians 14:4 , 1 Corinthians 14:17 m; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; compare Judges 1:20 ); (3) They are "builded together" (sunoikodoméō ) in Christ (Ephesians 2:22; Colossians 2:7 ( εποικοδομεο , epoikodomeō ); compare 1 Corinthians 3:9 ); (4) "builded up" is used in a bad sense (1 Corinthians 8:10 the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), "emboldened," the Revised Version, margin "be builded up"); (6) in Hebrews 3:4 God is represented as the Builder (establisher) of all things, the Revised Version, margin "established," and in Hebrews 11:10 as the Builder ( technitēs ), of the New Jerusalem; in Hebrews 9:11 for "building" the Revised Version (British and American) has "creation" ( ktı́sis ); (7) in 1 Corinthians 3:10-14; Galatians 2:18 , building represents constructing a system of teaching; Paul speaks of himself as "a wise master-builder" ( sophós architéktōn ).