Encyclopedia entry
Building
Among the Jews was suited to the climate and conditions of the country. They probably adopted the kind of architecture for their dwellings which they found already existing when they entered Canaan (Deut. 6:10; Num. 13:19). Phoenician artists (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kings 5:6, 18) assisted at the erection of the royal palace and the temple at Jerusalem. Foreigners also assisted at the restoration of the temple after the Exile (Ezra 3:7).
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In Gen. 11:3, 9, we have the first recorded instance of the erection of buildings. The cities of the plain of Shinar were founded by the descendants of Shem (10:11, 12, 22).
The Israelites were by occupation shepherds and dwellers in tents (Gen. 47:3); but from the time of their entering Canaan they became dwellers in towns, and in houses built of the native limestone of Palestine. Much building was carried on in Solomon’s time. Besides the buildings he completed at Jerusalem, he also built Baalath and Tadmor (1 Kings 9:15, 24). Many of the kings of Israel and Judah were engaged in erecting various buildings.
Herod and his sons and successors restored the temple, and built fortifications and other structures of great magnificence in Jerusalem (Luke 21:5).
The instruments used in building are mentioned as the plumb-line (Amos 7:7), the measuring-reed (Ezek. 40:3), and the saw (1 Kings 7:9).
Believers are “God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:9); and heaven is called “a building of God” (2 Cor. 5:1). Christ is the only foundation of his church (1 Cor. 3:10-12), of which he also is the builder (Matt. 16:18).
In the Bible
62
Verses where Building is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 22:2
So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, from whom he appointed stonecutters to prepare finished stones for building the house of God.
- 1 Chronicles 22:11
Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would.
- 1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God. Begin building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.”
- 1 Chronicles 28:2
Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it,
- 1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
- 1 Corinthians 3:10
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.
+56 more verses naming Building.
Scripture on Building
49
See all 49 +−
- 1 Kings 61 Chronicles 22Ezekiel 411 Kings 71 Kings 91 Kings 152 Chronicles 22 Chronicles 16Ezra 5Ezra 6Ezekiel 402 Corinthians 5Genesis 47Numbers 13Deuteronomy 62 Samuel 51 Kings 31 Kings 52 Kings 251 Chronicles 282 Chronicles 32 Chronicles 31Ezra 3Nehemiah 3Nehemiah 4Nehemiah 6Ecclesiastes 10Jeremiah 52Ezekiel 17Ezekiel 46Amos 7Matthew 16Luke 6Luke 17Luke 21John 2Romans 152 Corinthians 102 Corinthians 13Ephesians 2Ephesians 4Hebrews 9Jude 1Revelation 21
Building references
19
Voices on Building
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.