Who was Ahisamach in the Bible?

Ahisamach was a man from the tribe of Dan, known primarily as the father of Oholiab. His son was a divinely skilled artisan chosen by God to help construct the tabernacle and its furnishings (Exodus 31:6).

Why is Ahisamach significant in the Bible?

His significance comes from his son's crucial role. Ahisamach's legacy is that he raised Oholiab, who was filled with the Spirit of God to work on the sacred tabernacle project alongside Bezalel (Exodus 35:34).

What do we know about Ahisamach's life?

The Bible records very few details about his personal life. The key events are his lineage from the tribe of Dan and his fatherhood of Oholiab, which connected him to one of the most important construction projects in Israel's history (Exodus 38:23).

Ahisamach

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleFather

Ahisamach, from the tribe of Dan, was the father of Oholiab, a skilled artisan who helped construct the tabernacle. (Exo.31.6; 35.34; 38.23)

Ahisamach

Biography

Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan was the father of Oholiab, one of the two master craftsmen divinely appointed to oversee the construction of the wilderness tabernacle. God specifically names Oholiab son of Ahisamach in Exodus 31:6 as the partner of Bezalel son of Uri, the chief artisan. Together they were commissioned to execute the full scope of the tabernacle's furnishings, the ark, the mercy seat, the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the priestly garments. Ahisamach is again mentioned in Exodus 35:34 and 38:23, where it is noted that both Bezalel and Oholiab were given the ability not only to work skillfully but to teach others. Ahisamach himself has no recorded deeds, but his identity as a Danite father who raised a craftsman of unparalleled skill for sacred work is his enduring mark.

Significance

Ahisamach's significance is inseparable from his son Oholiab's calling. The pairing of Bezalel from Judah with Oholiab from Dan was itself theologically deliberate, representing a collaboration between two tribes that spanned from the most prominent to the northern frontier, a symbol of all Israel's participation in building a dwelling place for God. That Oholiab was also given the gift of teaching (Exod. 35:34) suggests a multigenerational vision: skills and devotion passed from fathers to sons and then to the community. Ahisamach, as Oholiab's father, represents the unseen faithfulness in the home that prepares individuals for extraordinary divine service.

Verse Appearances (3)

Exodus

Exodus 31:6 Exodus 35:34 Exodus 38:23

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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