Builder

BUILDER bild'-er (banah; oikodomeo, technites):

"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 (Psalms 69:35; 102:16; Jeremiah 12:16), the throne of David (Psalms 89:4), Jerusalem (Psalms 147:2);

(2) in restoration--rebuilding (Isaiah 58:12; 61:4; 65:21; Jeremiah 31:4,28; 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 (Psalms 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 (Psalms 118:22,23; 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 3:9,16) on Christ as the one foundation (Matthew 16:18, on Jesus as the Christ; 1 Peter 2:5; Acts 9:31 the Revised Version, margin; Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 3:10,12,14 (epoikodomo);

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"; Acts 10:23 margin, Greek "build up"; Acts 14:4,17 m; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; compare Jude 1:20);

(3) they are "builded togethe r" (sunoikodomeo) in Christ (Ephesians 2:22; Colossians 2:7 (epoikodomeo); 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 11:10 as the Builder (technites), of the New Jerusalem; in Hebrews 9:11 for "building" the Revised Version (British and American) has "creation" (ktisis);

(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" (sophos architekton).

W. L. Walker

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Bibliography Information

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'BUILDER'".  "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".  1915.