CHAPTER 3
 METHODOLOGY

 The genesis of the idea to analyze the Bible for information regarding construction lies not

with the author but with two University of Florida professors. Eight years ago Dr. Hinze and Dr.

Wetherington began gathering construction information contained in the Bible. The task was

never completed due to varying circumstances, including the fact that the task was determined to

be too daunting. The idea was dormant for eight years, and was then suggested to this researcher

as a possible thesis topic. Since the subject was of particular interest to this researcher, the topic

was resurrected. A literature review was conducted on the information that was available about

references to construction in the Bible. Numerous books were examined, but not one was found

on the subject of construction in the Bible. Each source had some information regarding

buildings in the Bible, especially the Jerusalem temple, but none focused specifically on what the

Bible says about construction in a broader context.

 The first step taken in this study was to gather every Biblical reference relating to

construction. A topical analysis was conducted by searching headings in the Bible that disclosed

at least some information about construction. This method was used with approximately the first

third of the Bible from Genesis to Ezekiel. This search revealed information about the Ark, the

Tower of Babel, bricks, mildew, the tabernacle, the building of the temple, King Solomon's

palace, and the rebuilding of the temple by Ezra. From this point onward the search was

continued through the use of online searches of various versions or translations of the Bible. By

use of these resources the remainder of the construction-related verses was identified through

word searches.

 The first source that proved useful was the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(1913), also known as the ISBE. Successful word searches were initially conducted by using the