Exodus 38 23

Exodus 38:23 kjv

And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

Exodus 38:23 nkjv

And with him was Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer, a weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine linen.

Exodus 38:23 niv

with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan?an engraver and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.)

Exodus 38:23 esv

and with him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer and embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.

Exodus 38:23 nlt

He was assisted by Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, a craftsman expert at engraving, designing, and embroidering with blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth.

Exodus 38 verses

Exodus 38 23 Meaning

Exodus 38:23 names Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, from the tribe of Dan, as a key artisan specifically gifted and appointed by God for the construction of the Tabernacle. It details his comprehensive array of skills: being a general craftsman (charash), an ingenious designer (choshev) capable of intricate planning and innovation, and a highly skilled embroiderer (rokem). He excelled in working with specific, precious materials—blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, along with fine twined linen—which were vital for the sanctuary's ornate curtains, veils, and priestly garments. The verse underscores God's meticulous provision of diverse, divinely enabled individuals from all walks of Israelite life to accomplish His holy work.

Exodus 38 23 Context

Exodus 38:23 appears in the second major section of Exodus, which narrates the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Sinai, culminating in the establishment of God's presence among them through the Tabernacle. This verse is part of a detailed record (Exod 35-39) documenting the execution of the Tabernacle blueprints initially given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exod 25-31). Following an account of the materials collected from the people (Exod 38:21-22), Oholiab is introduced here as the key assistant and partner to Bezalel, both divinely chosen and supernaturally gifted with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for all sorts of craftsmanship. This highlights God's thoroughness not just in design but also in providing the necessary skilled labor to perfectly construct His dwelling place, emphasizing that even the most intricate and artistic details of worship are divine in origin. His tribal identity (Dan) adds another layer, showing God’s intention to use every part of Israel.

Exodus 38 23 Word analysis

• and with him Oholiab: Hebrew: וְאִתּוֹ אָהֳלִיאָב (ve'itto Oholiab). The name אָהֳלִיאָב (Oholiab) means "Father is my tent" or "My Father's Tent." This resonates providentially with his primary role in constructing God's dwelling place (tent/Tabernacle). His inclusion highlights his significance as a co-leader alongside Bezalel, indicating a partnership rather than a mere assistantship.
• the son of Ahisamach: Hebrew: בֶּן-אֲחִיסָמָךְ (ben-Achisamach). The name אֲחִיסָמָךְ (Ahisamach) means "My brother is a support" or "Brother of Support." This family background potentially suggests a lineage associated with assistance and reliability, further fitting for his supportive role in a monumental task.
• of the tribe of Dan: Hebrew: מַטֵּה דָן (matteh Dan). Dan was numerically strong but geographically distant and later fell into idolatry (Judg 18). Oholiab’s selection from this tribe is notable. It underscores God's sovereign choice, which bypasses human hierarchy or tribal standing, demonstrating that God equips and uses individuals from across His entire people group, affirming the unity of His design.
• a craftsman: Hebrew: חָרָשׁ (charash). This is a broad occupational term denoting a general artisan or skilled worker. It encompasses various crafts like working with wood, metal, or stone. This indicates his foundational mastery of practical trades, providing a strong base for his more specialized skills.
• and an ingenious designer: Hebrew: וְחֹשֵׁב (ve-choshev). This term means "artistic designer," "cunning workman," or one who "devises clever works." It speaks to intellectual creativity, foresight, and the ability to originate intricate patterns and solve complex design problems. This was a critical Spirit-given capacity for creating the complex elements of the Tabernacle.
• and an embroiderer: Hebrew: וְרֹקֵם (ve-rokem). This is a specialized skill related to needlework, focusing on creating patterns or figures directly onto fabric using a needle and thread. This highlights Oholiab's expertise in a detailed textile art, essential for the aesthetic and symbolic adornment of the Tabernacle.
• in blue, purple, and scarlet yarns: Hebrew: בַּתְּכֵלֶת וּבָאַרְגָּמָן וּבְתוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי (ba-tekhelet u-va-argaman u-v'tola'at ha-shani). These dyes were extremely valuable and symbolically rich. תְּכֵלֶת (tekhelet) (blue) represented the heavens or divine presence; אַרְגָּמָן (argaman) (purple) symbolized royalty and kingliness; and תּוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי (tola'at ha-shani) (scarlet) pointed to life, sacrifice, or redemption. Oholiab's proficiency with these costly materials emphasizes his importance for the Tabernacle's most sacred and visible elements.
• and in fine twined linen: Hebrew: וּבַשֵּׁשׁ הַמְשֻׁזָּר (u-va-shesh ha-meshuzzar). שֵׁשׁ (shesh) denotes fine, white Egyptian linen. מְשֻׁזָּר (meshuzzar) indicates it was "twined" or "tightly spun," signifying high quality and strength. Fine linen frequently symbolized purity and righteousness in biblical contexts (e.g., Rev 19:8). Oholiab’s ability to work with such precise and symbolic fabric confirms his mastery over the diverse range of materials required for God’s holy dwelling.

Word-groups by word-groups analysis:

• "Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan": This segment firmly establishes Oholiab's identity and background. His name is indicative of divine intention (Father's tent), and his tribal affiliation from Dan, often considered a less prominent tribe or later associated with spiritual wandering, profoundly demonstrates God's indiscriminate grace and sovereign selection across the entire Israelite community, proving that God can equip and utilize anyone for His specific purposes.
• "a craftsman and an ingenious designer, and an embroiderer": This enumeration showcases Oholiab's comprehensive artistic and technical aptitude. From the foundational general "craftsman" to the creative "ingenious designer" (implying the ability to conceptualize complex works), and finally the highly specialized "embroiderer," it paints a picture of a truly multi-talented individual, gifted by God with a breadth of skills crucial for the elaborate Tabernacle work.
• "in blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and in fine twined linen": These materials represent the most visually significant and symbolically profound components of the Tabernacle and priestly vestments. Working with these specific, high-value, and deeply meaningful threads underscores the sacredness and royalty associated with God's dwelling and worship, and points to the fact that Oholiab's artistry was applied to the very fabric of holiness itself.

Exodus 38 23 Bonus section

The Old Testament frequently details skilled craftsmanship for sacred structures (Tabernacle, Temple), serving as a precursor to the New Testament concept of every believer being part of God's spiritual temple and having unique gifts for building up the body of Christ. Oholiab's name itself, "Father's tent," not only aligns with his physical task but subtly hints at God's design for intimate dwelling with His people. The divine equipping of Oholiab and Bezalel signifies that human excellence and artistic talent, when sourced from God, find their highest purpose in sacred service. This divinely-empowered ability for intricate detail and innovation (choshev) goes beyond mere competence, pointing to wisdom and intelligence given by God's Spirit for very specific, often complex, sacred projects that demanded supernatural guidance. His selection also highlights the communal effort required for the Tabernacle; it was not a one-man show but a divinely coordinated symphony of gifted individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Exodus 38 23 Commentary

Exodus 38:23 is more than a mere record of materials; it highlights God’s meticulous planning and His direct involvement in empowering individuals for His service. Oholiab, despite being from the tribe of Dan—a tribe often overshadowed by Judah and Levi—is divinely singled out and equipped. His designation as a charash (craftsman), choshev (ingenious designer), and rokem (embroiderer) working with precise, symbolically rich materials like blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen, shows the multi-faceted nature of God's Spirit-given gifts. This demonstrates that all skills, from practical construction to intricate artistry, when supernaturally empowered and dedicated to divine purposes, contribute directly to God’s glory and the establishment of His sacred dwelling. The verse thus champions the dignity of gifted workmanship in the service of God and underscores that divine appointments transcend human hierarchies or tribal distinctions.

• A graphic designer uses their creative "ingenious designer" gift to create church outreach materials.
• A seamstress uses her "embroiderer" skill to make liturgical coverings or alter vestments for clergy.
• A builder uses his "craftsman" skills to maintain or expand the church building, echoing the work for the Tabernacle.