Bezalel: The Gifted Teen Chosen to Build the Mishkan

A Young Artisan with Divine Wisdom

Bezalel, son of Uri, grandson of Chur, was chosen by Hashem to oversee the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) because he was “wise-hearted.” As the Torah says: "And He filled him with the spirit of Hashem, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, and with all kinds of craftsmanship, to devise artistic works" (Shemot 35:31–32).

According to the Midrash, Bezalel was only thirteen years old at the time. The Sages teach that he had such profound insight that he could combine the very letters with which the heavens and earth were created.

Chur, Bezalel’s grandfather, was the son of Caleb and Efrat. The Sages identify Efrat as none other than Miriam the prophetess, sister of Moshe and Aharon. This means Bezalel was their great-nephew.

A Legacy of Sacrifice and Redemption

The Torah repeatedly names Bezalel as “Bezalel son of Uri son of Chur of the tribe of Judah.” This wasn’t just to emphasize his lineage. It was to remove any suspicion that Moshe had appointed a family member without Divine instruction. Hashem had specified this exact individual by name.

Chur, Bezalel’s grandfather, served as Moshe’s aide. During the war with Amalek, he helped lead the people. But during the sin of the Golden Calf, Chur is no longer mentioned. The Sages explain that Chur was killed by the people because he refused to participate in the idolatry. The selection of Bezalel to build the Mishkan is viewed as an atonement for that tragic act.

Before appointing Bezalel, Hashem consulted Moshe: “Is Bezalel acceptable to you?” Moshe replied, “If he is acceptable before You, surely he is before me.” Hashem then said, “Still, leadership must have the approval of the people. Go and ask them.” (Berachot 55a)

When Moshe instructed Bezalel to first make the vessels and then the Mishkan itself, Bezalel objected: “Is it not more fitting to build the structure first and then place the vessels inside?” Moshe responded, “Indeed, that is exactly what Hashem commanded. Were you standing in the shadow of Hashem [b’tzel El] and knew this?” (Berachot 55a)

The Spiritual Meaning of Bezalel’s Name

The early Sages offered symbolic interpretations of Bezalel’s full name:

• Bezalel – “He who makes a shadow for Hashem,” referring to the Mishkan’s coverings.

• Son of Uri – “He who brought light to the world.”

• Son of Chur – “Through him, the people became free.”

• From the tribe of Judah – The tribe from which David Hamelech (King David) would descend, bringing praise and song to the world. (Yalkut, Yemenite manuscript)

According to the book of Samuel, David killed Goliath with a weapon described in poetic terms: "And Elchanan son of Yaarei Oregim of Beit Lechem struck Goliath the Gittite, and the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam" (2 Samuel 21:19).
Rashi explains: “Let weaving stand against weaving.” The Midrash (Ruth 2:2) teaches that David’s father, Yishai, wove the curtains for the Temple. As a result, David merited defeating the Philistine whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. The Malbim adds that David was descended from Bezalel, which is why he is also called an “Ephrati.”