Ahisamach

Ahisamach is a minor figure in the Hebrew Bible, identified primarily as the father of Oholiab, one of the artisans commissioned to construct the Tabernacle in the wilderness. The name appears in Exodus 31:6, which records that Bezalel and Oholiab were appointed by God to oversee the Tabernacle’s design and workmanship; Oholiab is identified specifically as the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Beyond this genealogical reference, the biblical text offers little biographical detail about Ahisamach himself, so he is generally treated as a familial or tribal link rather than a developed character.

Etymology and transmission: Ahisamach is a Hebrew name, and in some manuscript traditions the spelling can vary slightly (for example, Ahisamakh). The name’s presence alongside Oholiab emphasizes lineage and tribal association within the community entrusted with sacred craftsmanship.

Significance: The figure’s primary importance lies in his place within the priestly-artisan network surrounding the Tabernacle. The passage that mentions Ahisamach highlights the communal and familial dimensions of skilled labor in ancient Israel, showing that craftspeople were often identified by lineage in addition to individual skill. Apart from the Exodus reference, Ahisamach is not elaborated on in the canonical books, and later tradition offers no widely attested narrative about him.

See also: Tabernacle of Moses, Bezalel, Oholiab, Exodus 31.