Bezaleel

Family: Judah · Role: craftsman · First appears: Exodus 31

Bezaleel, a craftsman of Judah, was identified as the son of Uri and grandson of Hur. In Exodus 31, God called him by name for sacred workmanship and filled him with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill: “See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:” In Exodus 35, God again called and equipped him, enabling him and Aholiab to teach and perform skilled work.

In Exodus 36, Moses summoned Bezaleel, Aholiab, and the other skilled workers to construct the sanctuary, and they received the offerings brought for it. Together with Aholiab, Bezaleel worked on the tabernacle’s curtains, boards, veil, door hanging, and other fittings. In Exodus 37, he made the ark, mercy seat, cherubims, table and vessels, candlestick and lamps, incense altar, holy anointing oil, and pure incense.

By Exodus 38, Bezaleel had made the altar of burnt offering and its brass vessels, the brass laver, and the court with its hangings, pillars, sockets, and gate. He also made the sanctuary and veil sockets from silver, along with the brass sockets and pins, completing the appointed work: “Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses.” Aholiab worked with him as an engraver, craftsman, and embroiderer.