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אׇהֳלִיאָב

𐤀𐤄𐤋𐤉𐤀𐤁

Holiav

H171 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Personal name: Oholiab. Primarily the name of a skilled artisan appointed to help construct the tent sanctuary (tabernacle) for the Israelites in the wilderness. The meaning of the name, based on its components, is most likely 'the tent of (my/the) father' or 'my father's tent,' but as a proper noun in context, it simply serves as a personal designation.

Semantic Range

proper name—Oholiab; possible literal sense—'tent of (his/my/the) father'; no common noun usage

Root / Etymology

A compound of אֹהֶל (ʼōhel, 'tent') and אָב (ʼāb, 'father'), thus literally 'tent of (the) father.' This compound construction follows a standard Hebrew naming pattern (synthetic genitive/or construct chain), but the precise nuance (whether 'my father,' 'his father,' or 'the father') can vary according to context and vocalization.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Oholiab is mentioned explicitly in Exodus 31:6; 35:34; 36:1–2, 34; 38:23 as a prominent artisan from the tribe of Dan, working alongside Bezalel (from the tribe of Judah) in the construction of the sanctuary's furnishings. The name reflects common Israelite naming practices, often invoking family relationships, tents (as central to nomadic and early settled life), or referents to the deity via familial or possessive language. There is no evidence that the name had a broader cultural or ritual meaning beyond its function as a personal name; its form is typical of the period and genre. In English translations, the form 'Aholiab' also appears, reflecting variations in transliteration traditions. Later theological interpretation sometimes associates 'father' in such names with deity, but the original Hebrew does not require this reading, and the text provides no such explicit indication. Oholiab is never given a tribal, religious, or geographic identification beyond his patronymic and tribal descent, indicating the term remained a personal designation throughout its usage in the biblical text.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אֹהֶל and אָב; tent of (his) father; Oholiab, an Israelite; Aholiab.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אהל, אב (ʾ-h-l; ʾ-b) — tent, dwelling; father, ancestor

Root אהל, אב tent (to pitch a tent or dwell in a tent), father (progenitor, ancestor)

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H171-01 אָהֳלִיאָ֞ב aholiav HNp Oholiab Tent-of-the-Father Holiav 3
H171-02 וְ/אָֽהֳלִיאָ֥ב veaholiav HC/Np and Oholiab and Oholiab and Holiav 2

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H171-01 Exodus 31:6 אָהֳלִיאָ֞ב aholiav HNp Aholiab Tent-of-the-Father Holiav
H171-02 Exodus 35:34 וְ/אָֽהֳלִיאָ֥ב veaholiav HC/Np and-Oholiab and Oholiab and Holiav
H171-02 Exodus 36:1 וְ/אָהֳלִיאָ֜ב veaholiav HC/Np and Oholiab and Oholiab and Holiav
H171-01 Exodus 36:2 אָֽהֳלִיאָב֒ aholiav HNp Oholiab Tent-of-the-Father Holiav
H171-01 Exodus 38:23 אָהֳלִיאָ֞ב aholiav HNp Oholiab Tent-of-the-Father Holiav
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