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What is a Carpenter?
        CAR'PENTER
     The first allusion to the carpenter's trade in the Scriptures occurs in the command to Noah to build the ark. Gen 6:14-16, and the directions here given presuppose quite a considerable skill. The second time the trade is mentioned is in the description of the setting up of the tabernacle in the wilderness, Ex 25:23; Ex 27:1-15, where various kinds of wood-work -the ark, the table, the altar, the acacia boards, etc. -are spoken of. From this point and throughout the holy writings frequent mention is made of this trade; and though it appears that both David, 2 Sam 5:11, and Solomon, 1 Kgs 5:6, employed foreign artisans, the numerous allusions, in the historical, prophetical, and poetical books of the O.T., to the tools, implements, and methods of this trade, show that the native craftsmen must have been possessed of great skill, and the trade itself held in high esteem among the people. Joseph, the husband of Mary, was a carpenter, Matt 13:55, and our L?ord himself worked at the trade, Mark 6:3. "Is not this the carpenter's son?" yea, "Is not this the carpenter?" asked the people, not in contempt, but in wonder. They implied, however, that they regarded him as one of themselves, as no better than they. But we may be thankful that our Lord is thus called, for the very word "is full of meaning, and has exercised a very noble and blessed influence over the fortunes of mankind. It has tended to console and sanctify the estate of poverty, to ennoble the duty of labor, to elevate the entire conception of manhood as of a condition which in itself alone, and apart from every adventitious circumstance, has its own grandeur and dignity in the sight of God."n-Farrar:Life of Christ, ch. vii.


Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'carpenter' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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