Introduction:
Bezalel is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known for his exceptional skills in craftsmanship and artistry. He is primarily recognized for his role in the construction of the Tabernacle, the sacred dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. His account is a testament to the divine inspiration and empowerment of individuals for specific tasks within God's plan.

Biblical References:
Bezalel is first introduced in the book of Exodus. The LORD speaks to Moses, appointing Bezalel for a special task: "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship" (Exodus 31:2-3). This divine selection underscores the importance of Bezalel's work and the spiritual gifting required for the task.

Tribe and Lineage:
Bezalel is from the tribe of Judah, one of the most prominent tribes of Israel. His lineage is traced back to Hur, a respected leader who, along with Aaron, supported Moses during the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:10-12). This connection highlights Bezalel's noble heritage and the trust placed in him by God and the community.

Role and Contributions:
Bezalel's primary role was as the chief artisan of the Tabernacle. He was responsible for overseeing the construction and design of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the lampstand, and the altar of incense. His work required not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of the spiritual significance of each item.

The LORD's instructions to Moses emphasize Bezalel's comprehensive skill set: "to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft" (Exodus 31:4-5). This description highlights the breadth of Bezalel's abilities and the divine inspiration behind his craftsmanship.

Collaboration with Oholiab:
Bezalel did not work alone. God also appointed Oholiab, from the tribe of Dan, to assist him (Exodus 31:6). Together, they led a team of skilled artisans and craftsmen, ensuring that every detail of the Tabernacle was executed according to God's precise instructions. This collaboration underscores the importance of teamwork and the diverse gifts within the community of faith.

Spiritual Significance:
Bezalel's work on the Tabernacle was not merely a construction project; it was a sacred task that required spiritual insight and dedication. The Tabernacle was the focal point of Israel's worship, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Bezalel's craftsmanship facilitated the Israelites' ability to worship and commune with God, making his contributions vital to the spiritual life of the nation.

Legacy:
Bezalel's legacy is one of obedience, skill, and divine empowerment. His account serves as an example of how God equips individuals with specific talents and abilities for His purposes. Bezalel's work on the Tabernacle set a standard for excellence in service to God, demonstrating that all work, when done for the glory of God, is sacred and significant.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Bezalel's life beyond his work on the Tabernacle, his impact is enduring. His account is a reminder of the importance of using one's God-given talents in service to the divine mission, and it highlights the value of artistic expression in worship and the life of faith.BEZALEL

bez'-a-lel (betsal'el, "in the shadow (protection) of 'El (God)"; Beseleel; the King James Version Bezaleel):

(1) A master workman under Moses; son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. Yahweh gave him especial wisdom and skill for his task, which was, with the aid of Oholiab of the tribe of Dan, to superintend the making of the tabernacle and its furniture (Exodus 31:2; Exodus 35:30; Exodus 36:1, 2, 8; Exodus 37:1; Exodus 38:22; 1 Chronicles 2:20 2 Chronicles 1:5).

(2) An Israelite of the time of Ezra who put away a foreign wife (Ezra 10:30).

F. K. Farr

171. Oholiab -- "father's tent," an assistant of Bezalel
... 170, 171. Oholiab. 172 . "father's tent," an assistant of Bezalel. Transliteration:
Oholiab Phonetic Spelling: (o''-hol-e-awb') Short Definition: Oholiab. ...
/hebrew/171.htm - 6k

1212. Betsalel -- "in the shadow (protection) of El," two ...
... Betsalel. 1213 . "in the shadow (protection) of El," two Israelites. Transliteration:
Betsalel Phonetic Spelling: (bets-al-ale') Short Definition: Bezalel. ...
/hebrew/1212.htm - 6k

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... work." We are told the same as to the great decorative workers of the Tabernacle,
concerning whom the Lord said: "See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

The Flood-Tide of Power.
... In sharp contrast however with that conception will you note that we are told over
here in Exodus of a man named Bezalel[17] who was filled with the Spirit of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the flood-tide of power.htm

Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs.
... [2818] beseleel, which is the form found in the LXX. The Hebrew is l'ltsv, which
the RV renders "Bezalel." See Exodus 35:30 sq. [2819] See Haggai 2:9. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv panegyric on the splendor.htm

Bezalel (10 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BEZALEL. bez'-a-lel (betsal ... 10:30). FK Farr.
Multi-Version Concordance Bezalel (10 Occurrences). Exodus 31 ...
/b/bezalel.htm - 10k

Bez'alel (9 Occurrences)
Bez'alel. Bezalel, Bez'alel. Bezek . ... Exodus 31:2 See, I have called by name
Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; (See RSV). ...
/b/bez'alel.htm - 8k

Uri (7 Occurrences)
... URI. u'-ri, oo'-ri (uri (uwri in 1 Kings 4:19), "fiery," unless the word be contracted
for 'uriyah, "Uriah"): (1) Son of Hur, and father of Bezalel (Exodus 31:2 ...
/u/uri.htm - 9k

Oholiab (5 Occurrences)
... o-ho'-li-ab ('oholi'abh, "father's tent"; the King James Version Aholiab): A Danite
artificer, who assisted Bezalel in the construction of the tabernacle and ...
/o/oholiab.htm - 8k

Oho'liab (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 36:1 And Bezalel and Oholiab shall work, and every wise-hearted man, in whom
the LORD hath put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work ...
/o/oho'liab.htm - 7k

Wise-hearted (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 36:1 "Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom
Yahweh has put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for ...
/w/wise-hearted.htm - 9k

Skilled (44 Occurrences)
... Exodus 36:1 "Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom
Yahweh has put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for ...
/s/skilled.htm - 20k

Skillful (42 Occurrences)
... Exodus 36:1 "Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom
Yahweh has put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for ...
/s/skillful.htm - 19k

Skill (26 Occurrences)
... Exodus 36:1 "Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom
Yahweh has put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for ...
/s/skill.htm - 19k

Ability (34 Occurrences)
... Exodus 36:1 "Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom
Yahweh has put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for ...
/a/ability.htm - 18k

Who were Bezalel and Oholiab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Old Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Does God have favorites? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus