Bezalel בְּצַלְאֵל
Skilled craftsman who built the tabernacle
Who is Bezalel in the Bible?
Bezalel, son of Uri from the tribe of Judah, was a skilled craftsman whom God chose to oversee the construction of the tabernacle and all its sacred furnishings (Exodus 31:2, 35:30). God filled Bezalel with His Spirit, granting him wisdom, understanding, and exceptional knowledge in working with gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood (Exodus 31:3-5). Working alongside Oholiab and other talented artisans, Bezalel led the creation of the ark of the covenant, the altar, and every other item needed for the tabernacle according to God's detailed instructions to Moses (Exodus 36:1-2, 37:1, 38:22). His divinely empowered craftsmanship demonstrates how God equips individuals with specific talents for sacred purposes and underscores the significance of the tabernacle as the dwelling place of God's presence among the Israelites.
Biography
Bezalel, the son of Uri and grandson of Hur from the tribe of Judah, was a skilled craftsman chosen by God to oversee the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings (Exo. 31:2; 35:30; 1 Ch. 2:20). God filled Bezalel with His Spirit, giving him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, including working with gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood (Exo. 31:3-5). Bezalel, along with Oholiab from the tribe of Dan, led the skilled workers in creating the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, the altar, and all the other sacred items according to the divine instructions given to Moses (Exo. 36:1-2; 37:1; 38:22). Bezalel's exceptional skills and divine empowerment underscore the importance of the tabernacle as a place where God's presence would dwell among His people. The tabernacle and its furnishings, crafted by Bezalel, were later brought to Jerusalem by King Solomon (2 Ch. 1:5).
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study contentExodus 5 verses
- Exodus 31:2
"“See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah."
Study Exodus → - Exodus 35:30
"Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah."
Study Exodus → - Exodus 36:1
"“So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person are to carry out everything commanded by the LORD, who has given them skill and ability to know how to perform all the work of constructing the sanctuary.”"
Study Exodus → - Exodus 36:2
"Then Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person whom the LORD had gifted—everyone whose heart stirred him to come and do the work."
Study Exodus → - Exodus 37:1
"Bezalel went on to construct the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high."
Study Exodus →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 2:20
"Hur was the father of Uri, and Uri was the father of Bezalel."
2 Chronicles 1 verse
- 2 Chronicles 1:5
"But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, was in Gibeon before the tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בְּצַלְאֵל | bĕṣalĕʾēl | Betsalel , the name of two Israelites |
Bezalel
cial 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 (Ex 31:2; 35:30; 36:1,2, 8; 37:1; 38:22; 1Ch 2:20; 2Ch 1:5).
(2) An Israelite of the time of Ezra who put away a foreign wife (Ezr 10:30).
F. K. Farr
(1) The city of Adoni-bezek taken by Judah and Simeon (Jud 1:4 f), in the territory allotted to Judah. It is somewhat doubtfull