Bezaleel
maleExodusMeaning: “In the shadow of God”
The master craftsman, filled with the Spirit of God, whom the LORD called by name to build the tabernacle and its furnishings.
Biography
Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah and grandson of Hur, holds a notable distinction: he is the first person in the Bible specifically said to be "filled… with the spirit of God" — and that filling was for skilled craftsmanship.
Called by name
The LORD told Moses, "I have called by name Bezaleel… and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding… to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass" (Exodus 31:2–4).
Builder of the tabernacle
With his assistant Aholiab, Bezaleel oversaw the construction of the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the priestly garments (Exodus 36–39). He stands as Scripture's pattern of God-given artistic skill devoted wholly to worship.
Life Timeline
Called and Spirit-filled to build the tabernacle
On the Bible timeline
Bezaleel belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Themes & lessons from Bezaleel
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Bezaleel appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
7 verses in 2 booksExodus6 verses
Exodus 31:2
See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
Exodus 35:30
And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
Exodus 36:1
Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.
Exodus 36:2
And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
Exodus 37:1
And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it:
Exodus 38:22
And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses.
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 2:20
And Hur begat Uri, and Uri begat Bezaleel.
Frequently asked about Bezaleel
Who was Bezaleel in the Bible?
The master craftsman, filled with the Spirit of God, whom the LORD called by name to build the tabernacle and its furnishings.
What does the name Bezaleel mean?
The name Bezaleel means “In the shadow of God”.
What did Bezaleel do in the Bible?
Bezaleel served as craftsman, of the tribe of Judah.
Where does Bezaleel appear in the Bible?
Bezaleel is mentioned 7 times across 2 books: Exodus, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Bezaleel?
The story of Bezaleel touches on themes of tabernacle, aholiab, embroidery, genius — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Bezaleel's life.
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