WHO WAS BEZALEL AND AHOLIAB
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E Comp Petros N. Zenieris PDGStdBr
PPZ of St George Chapter No 1152 EC
The First or Holy Lodge was held at the foot of Mount Horeb in the wilderness of Sinai.
Mount Horeb is the mountain that the book of Deuteronomy stated that the Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God.
Horeb is assumed to mean “glowing or heat” which has a reference to the Sun, whilst the word Sinai may have derived from the name of Sin representing the Sumerian deity of the Moon.
During the Israelites’ journey (Exodus) from Egypt to the Promised Land, God instructed Moses to build the God’s sanctuary (Tabernacle) and the Ark of the Covenant, so God’s spirit to reside within.
This action took place at least 1,500 years before the permanent dwelling and resting place of God in the King Solomon’s Temple.
All required materials to be used for the construction of the Tabernacle were donated as offerings by the Israelites, who as result of their generosity they were able to amass more than what they needed for. (Exodus, 25:1-7; 30:11-16 and 36:3-7).
BEZALEL:
For such impressive work there was a need for many skilful craftsmen; but the name of Bezalel in particular was revealed as the person in charge.
He was the son of Uri and the grandson of Hur, the man who held up Moses’ arms during a fierce battle and the great-grandson of Caleb.
His family was very close to Moses and Bezalel proved to be very important and relevant person for the nation of Israel as he was a skilful craftsman in every kind of woodwork, stonework, metalwork, engraving, embroidery and weaving. God’s spirit empowered him with skills to work with all raw materials and to devise creative designs in gold, silver and bronze.
He was also being given the ability and the charisma to teach all other craftsmen who were able to complete the tabernacle according to God’s specifications.
Now the LORD spoke to Moses saying, “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge and in all kinds of craftsmanship”. (Exodus, 31:1-6)
The word Bezalel signifies “In the shadow (protection) of El (God)”.
He was the chief artisan of the Tabernacle and was the man in charge of building the Ark of Covenant assisted by Aholiab. He led the group of craftsmen to physically construct the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant and the rest of sacred items for the house of God.
The list of the valuable and sacred items God assigned Bezalel to construct included:
The Tabernacle
The Ark of the Covenant
The Mercy Seat
All the furnishings of the tend
The table and its utensils
The Altar of Incense
The Altar of burnt offerings with all its utensils
The Basin and the stand
The finely embroidered garments
The Holy garments for Aaron the priest
The Anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place
By virtue of his insightful wisdom and knowledge, Bezalel succeeded in constructing the sanctuary on time and in the designated area, which became the dwelling place for God.
According to the tradition, Moses instructed Bezalel to make the vessels first and the dwelling place afterwards, but Bezalel’s response was “Don’t we usually build the house first and then we place the utensils within?” Moses then answered “what you have said it is indeed the way I heard it from the God. You are just like your name BTZAL-EL (in the shadow of God) for it is if you were there when we had the conversation”.
Therefore, Bezalel, constructed the Tabernacle first and the vessels later.
OHOLIAB or AHOLIAB:
The Old Testament makes a reference to Aholiab in Exodus 31:6 which concerns God’s instructions to Moses to assign Bezalel a resourceful and artistic, supervisory position in the construction of the Tabernacle.
Aholiab although a lesser-known figure in the Old Testament, he was an assistant to Bezalel. Being known for his exceptional skills and craftsmanship, he brought his talents as “engraver, designer and embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen”. (Exodus, 38:23)
He was the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan, of the lowest of the tribes of the sons of handmaidens Bilhah and Zilpah – Dan was Bilhah’s son. Unlikewise, Bezalel hailed from the tribe of Judah, of the highly esteemed tribe.
A representative of the highest of the tribes joined forces with a representative of the lowest of tribes to represent equality and to form a strong companionship in order to fulfil their God’s demands.
Therefore, Aholiab’s creative skills were put in very good practice and along with other skilful craftsmen worked and completed all above-stated items.
Interestingly, the King Solomon’s Temple was also built by a representative of the tribe of Dan. Hiram Abiff was the son of a widow; his mother was of the tribe of Dan.
The word Oholiab or Aholiab can be split into two words, Ohel Av, meaning a “Tend for the Father”. It was he, along with Bezalel, who built the dwelling place of God in Heaven here on Earth.
His father’s name can also be split into two words Achi Samach meaning “My Brother is close” which most likely refers to the relationship with God as a relationship of two loving brothers.
CONCLUSION:
Moses was instructed by God to get skilful and knowledgeable people who will be able to construct his dwelling place called Tabernacle.
Furthermore, the skilful artisans were also to be capable to design and construct the Ark of the Covenant and the various furnishings of the Tabernacle. Because these furnishings were dedicated to be used exclusively in the worship of God it was important that these craftsmen–makers of such items were to be impressive in workmanship and design.
Therefore, owing to such extraordinary responsibility it was imperative for Moses to employ the services of exceptionally and highly talented and skilful craftsmen.
Moses was the leader who receives the word of God and communicates such to his people.
Bezalel and Aholiab were the main characters of solid action, who being highly qualified were entrusted with the very important work and having received the word of God, they built Israel’s house of worship and the Ark of the Covenant as the God’s dwelling place.
Forming together with Moses they refer to in our ritual as the First or Holy Lodge.
