Moses, Aholiab and Bezaleel

Members of the Royal Arch will know from the Historical Lecture and from the Principal Sojourner's reply to the MEZ's question at the Festive Board, that Moses, Aholiab and Bezaleel presided at the first or Holy Lodge, held at the foot of Mount Horeb in the wilderness of Sinai. Moses is a well-known figure, but few of us are aware of who Aholiab and Bezaleel were.

So why do we remember them as Grand Originals? There is a clue in the names, particularly Aholiab's. Both names come from the Hebrew; Bezaleel meaning "in the protection of God", and Aholiab meaning "father's tent".

They first appear in Exodus 31:

1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,

3 Whom I have filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all workmanship:

4 To find out curious works to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

5 Also in the art to set stones, and to carve in timber, and to work in all manner of workmanship.

6 And behold, I have joined him with Aholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan, and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted, have I put wisdom to make all that I have commanded thee:

7 That is, the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and the Ark of the Testimony, and the Mercy seat that shall be thereupon, with all instruments of the Tabernacle:

8 Also the Table and the instruments thereof, and the pure Candlestick with all his instruments, and the Altar of perfume:

9 Likewise the Altar of burnt offering with all his instruments, and the Laver with his foot:

10 Also the garments of the ministration, and the holy garment for Aaron the Priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the Priest’s office,

11 And the anointing oil, and sweet perfume for the Sanctuary according to all that I have commanded thee, shall they do.

We see that Bezaleel and Aholiab were Master Craftsmen, skilled in all kinds of workmanship. In Exodus 38:23 Aholiab is further described as specialising in carpentry, weaving and embroidery. These two men are named to Moses by God in the context of the forthcoming construction of the Holy Tabernacle: the marquee-like structure which accompanied the Israelites during their migration to the Promised Land. Bezaleel became the chief architect of the Tabernacle, and Aholiab his deputy. They were charged with the manufacture of the Tabernacle and the sacred objects which it was to contain. These objects included the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy vessels, the veils, and the vestments of the priests.

While the ceremony of Passing the Veils is no longer a prerequisite of exultation into the Royal Arch, the veils of the Tabernacle, woven and embroidered under the direction of Aholiab, are still represented by the colours of our Principles' robes and in the borders of our sash and apron. The hybrid design of our meeting place is partly based on the desert encampment of the Israelites, with the Tabernacle represented in the centre. Thus we acknowledge to this day the First or Holy Lodge and the vision, piety and workmanship of Moses, Aholiab and Bezaleel.