Artisan
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Artisan in the Bible?
An artisan is a person skilled in a specific craft or trade, encompassing roles that range from manual labor to artistic creation, such as metalworkers, potters, and weavers.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the role of artisans clarifies the economic structure and daily material culture of ancient Israelite society, providing context for the production of temple furnishings, household items, and agricultural tools mentioned in biblical narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Artisan. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Artisan in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Artisan clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Artisan." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/artisan/