Goldsmith
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Goldsmith in the Bible?
Goldsmithing appears in biblical texts regarding the construction of the tabernacle and is later associated with established guilds. The techniques for refining gold and crafting metal objects were likely introduced to the region from Phoenician sources.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the role of goldsmiths clarifies the technical expertise and economic structures involved in creating the sacred vessels and ornaments described in the biblical narrative.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Goldsmith. 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 Goldsmith in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Goldsmith 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
"Goldsmith." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/goldsmith/