Ahisamach

Ahisamach is named in UPDV only as the father of Oholiab, the Danite craftsman whom Yahweh paired with Bezalel for the work of the tabernacle.

Father of Oholiab

When Yahweh tells Moses that Bezalel of Judah has been called by name to the tabernacle work, the second appointment is announced in the same breath: "And I, look, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you" (Ex 31:6). The patronym fixes the partnership in Israel's tribal map: Judah and Dan, working together at the door of the tent.

The same identification is repeated when Moses passes the call on to the people: "And he has put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan" (Ex 35:34). The gift is wisdom, and part of the gift is the ability to teach it — Oholiab the son of Ahisamach is named twice as recipient, once as transmitter.

The execution narrative names him a third time, with his trades described: "And with him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and in fine linen" (Ex 38:23). Each time Oholiab is named, his father Ahisamach is named with him; the man is known to the text by his son's craft.