τέκτων
téktōn
G5045 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A skilled craftsperson or artisan, especially one working with hard materials such as wood, stone, or metal; most commonly referring to a builder, carpenter, or joiner. In certain contexts, can refer broadly to a manual artisan or constructor, not limited strictly to woodworking.
Semantic Range
craftsman, artisan, builder, carpenter, joiner, stonemason, manual artisan, constructor
Root / Etymology
From the root τέκτ-, ultimately cognate with the Proto-Indo-European root *teks- ('to weave, fabricate, build'). Related to Latin 'tectum' (roof) and 'textile.' No direct connection to τιμωρία; Strong's base reference is incorrect. The primary root focuses on fabrication and construction.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, τέκτων denotes a craftsperson who engages in building or fabricating, especially a carpenter, woodworker, or joiner, but can also encompass stone masons or other builders. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term usually designates a builder or carpenter, as in references to Jesus and his father Joseph (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3), but does not specify the modern, specialized meaning of 'carpenter' as distinct from 'builder.' In the Septuagint, τέκτων translates Hebrew חָרָשׁ (charash), which can refer to a craftsman, artisan, or smith. English versions traditionally render it as 'carpenter,' but this may be too narrow; a broader sense of 'craftsman' or 'builder' is often more accurate. The term is not limited to woodwork and may refer to various skilled manual trades. Differentiated from δημιουργός (demiourgos, 'artisan' or 'craftsman') in some Hellenistic texts, but often overlapping in usage. Earliest attestation from Homeric period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the base of τιμωρία; an artificer (as producer of fabrics), i.e. (specially), a craftsman in wood:--carpenter.
Root Family
τέκτων (téktōn) — to build, to fabricate, to construct
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5045-02 |
τέκτονος | tektonos | N GEN M SG |
carpenter | of a craftsman-builder | of a craftsman-builder | 1 |
G5045-01 |
τέκτων | tekton | N NOM M SG |
carpenter | skilled craftsman | skilled craftsman | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5045-02 |
Matthew 13:55 | τέκτονος | tektonos | N GEN M SG |
carpenter | of a craftsman-builder | of a craftsman-builder |
G5045-01 |
Mark 6:3 | τέκτων | tekton | N NOM M SG |
carpenter | skilled craftsman | skilled craftsman |