171. Oholiab
Lexical Summary
Oholiab: Oholiab

Original Word: אָהֱלִיאָב
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Oholiy'ab
Pronunciation: oh-ho-lee-ahv
Phonetic Spelling: (o''-hol-e-awb')
KJV: Aholiab
NASB: Oholiab
Word Origin: [from H168 (אוֹהֶל - tent) and H1 (אָב - father)]

1. tent of (his) father
2. Oholiab, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Aholiab

From 'ohel and 'ab; tent of (his) father; Oholiab, an Israelite -- Aholiab.

see HEBREW 'ohel

see HEBREW 'ab

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ohel and ab
Definition
"father's tent," an assistant of Bezalel
NASB Translation
Oholiab (5).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אָהֳלִיאָב proper name, masculine Oholiab (Father's tent, compare Phoenician אהלבעל, אהלמלך; Sabean אהלעתֿתר, אהלאל chief assistant of Bezalel in construction of tabernacle, etc. Exodus 31:6; Exodus 35:34; Exodus 36:1,2; Exodus 38:23.

Topical Lexicon
Historical Setting and Family Lineage

Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, emerges in the wilderness period shortly after Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Identified with the tribe of Dan (Exodus 31:6), he stands alongside Bezalel of Judah, illustrating cooperation between northern and southern tribes at a formative moment in Israel’s history.

Divine Appointment and Spiritual Empowerment

The Lord Himself chose Oholiab. “Moreover, I have appointed with him Oholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan; and I have filled every skilled craftsman with wisdom of heart to make all that I have commanded you” (Exodus 31:6). The narrative stresses that artistic talent is not merely natural ability but a Spirit-endowed gift (compare Exodus 35:31). Oholiab therefore exemplifies how the Spirit equips believers for practical service that advances God’s redemptive program.

Craftsmanship in the Construction of the Tabernacle

Together with Bezalel, Oholiab oversaw the fabrication of the tabernacle, its furniture, priestly garments, and related utensils (Exodus 36:1–4; 38:22-23). His skills encompassed weaving, embroidery, metalwork, woodworking, and precious-stone setting. By supervising “all who were skillful” (Exodus 36:1), he ensured that every detail reflected the heavenly pattern revealed to Moses, underscoring the necessity of faithful obedience in worship.

Gift of Instruction

Exodus 35:34 highlights a further endowment: “He has also given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan the ability to teach others”. The inclusion of pedagogical gifting shows that true ministry multiplies itself. Oholiab trained additional artisans, fostering a community capable of sustained, excellent service—an Old Testament anticipation of New-Covenant disciple-making.

Theological and Symbolic Significance

1. Unity in Diversity: Judah’s Bezalel and Dan’s Oholiab signify the whole nation serving one sanctuary (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
2. Sanctity of Work: By Spirit-empowering manual labor, God declares craftsmanship a sacred calling, contradicting any sacred-secular divide.
3. Foreshadowing Christ: Just as Oholiab helped construct the dwelling place of God among His people, Jesus Christ “became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14). Oholiab’s work points forward to the greater glory realized in the incarnation and, ultimately, the church as God’s living temple (Ephesians 2:21-22).

Legacy in Israel’s Memory

Although mentioned only five times (Exodus 31:6; 35:34; 36:1; 36:2; 38:23), Oholiab’s name is permanently linked with the tabernacle—a structure central to Israel’s worship for centuries. His obedience enabled generations to encounter the presence of God, demonstrating the long-range impact of faithful, often behind-the-scenes ministry.

Practical Lessons for Believers

• Spiritual gifts are varied; artistic aptitude is as God-given as preaching or prophecy.
• Every believer, regardless of tribal or social standing, has a role in building up God’s dwelling among His people.
• Teaching and mentoring amplify one’s influence; equipping others is integral to biblical ministry.
• Excellence in craftsmanship honors the character of the God who empowers it.

Conclusion

Oholiab models Spirit-filled artistry, collaborative leadership, and generational discipleship. His brief appearance in Scripture reminds the church that God delights to manifest His glory through ordinary people devoted to extraordinary obedience.

Forms and Transliterations
אָֽהֳלִיאָב֒ אָהֳלִיאָ֞ב אהליאב וְאָֽהֳלִיאָ֥ב וְאָהֳלִיאָ֜ב ואהליאב ’ā·ho·lî·’āḇ ’āholî’āḇ oholiAv veoholiAv wə’āholî’āḇ wə·’ā·ho·lî·’āḇ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 31:6
HEB: אִתּ֗וֹ אֵ֣ת אָהֳלִיאָ֞ב בֶּן־ אֲחִֽיסָמָךְ֙
NAS: have appointed with him Oholiab, the son
KJV: And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son
INT: have appointed for Oholiab the son of Ahisamach

Exodus 35:34
HEB: בְּלִבּ֑וֹ ה֕וּא וְאָֽהֳלִיאָ֥ב בֶּן־ אֲחִיסָמָ֖ךְ
NAS: to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son
KJV: that he may teach, [both] he, and Aholiab, the son
INT: his heart he and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach

Exodus 36:1
HEB: וְעָשָׂה֩ בְצַלְאֵ֨ל וְאָהֳלִיאָ֜ב וְכֹ֣ל ׀ אִ֣ישׁ
NAS: Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every
KJV: Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise
INT: to perform now Bezalel and Oholiab and every person

Exodus 36:2
HEB: בְּצַלְאֵל֮ וְאֶל־ אָֽהֳלִיאָב֒ וְאֶל֙ כָּל־
NAS: Bezalel and Oholiab and every
KJV: Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise
INT: Bezalel and Oholiab and every

Exodus 38:23
HEB: וְאִתּ֗וֹ אָהֳלִיאָ֞ב בֶּן־ אֲחִיסָמָ֛ךְ
NAS: With him [was] Oholiab the son
KJV: And with him [was] Aholiab, son
INT: With him Oholiab the son of Ahisamach

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 171
5 Occurrences


’ā·ho·lî·’āḇ — 3 Occ.
wə·’ā·ho·lî·’āḇ — 2 Occ.

170
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