Bezalel
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [1]
BEZALEL . 1 . The chief architect of the Tabernacle. The name occurs only in P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] and in the Bk. of Chron. ( 1 Chronicles 2:20 , 2 Chronicles 1:5 ). It probably signifies ‘in the shadow ( i.e. under the protection) of El.’ According to P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] ’s representation, Bezalel was expressly called by J″ [Note: Jahweh.] ( Exodus 31:2 ) to superintend the erection of the ‘tent of meeting,’ and endowed with the special gifts required for the proper execution of his task (vv. 3, 5). He was also charged with the construction of the furniture for court and Tabernacle, as well as with the preparation of the priestly garments, and of the necessary oil and incense. Among the gifts thus bestowed upon him, not the least was the gift of teaching the arts of which he was himself a master, to his subordinates ( Exodus 35:34 ), the chief of whom was Oholiab ( Exodus 31:6; Exodus 35:34 etc.). 2 . One of the sons of Pahath-moab who had married foreign wives ( Ezra 10:30 ).
A. R. S. Kennedy.
Holman Bible Dictionary [2]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [3]
bez´a - lel ( בּצלאל , becal'ēl , "in the shadow (protection) of 'El (God)"; Βεσελεήλ , Beseleḗl ; 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 , Exodus 36:2 (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 ).
