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The Israeli Names Portal

בצלאל


Meaning of the name בצלאל

Betzalel is an ancient and impressive Hebrew name composed of two elements: "betzel" (in the shadow of) and "El" (God). The literal meaning of the name is "in the shadow of God" or "under God's protection," expressing a profound concept of divine shelter, spiritual protection, and refuge under the wings of the Divine Presence. The name conveys a sense of security, faith, and closeness to the divine source, indicating a person who dwells under supreme providence and is protected by the Creator's grace. In biblical sources, Betzalel son of Uri son of Hur from the tribe of Judah is a central and fascinating figure. He was personally chosen by God to fulfill a crucial role in constructing the Tabernacle in the wilderness, as described in the Book of Exodus. The Torah describes him as a person filled with "the spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all manner of workmanship." Betzalel was not merely a skilled craftsman but a gifted architect, creative designer, and artist with spiritual vision. He was responsible for designing and executing all the vessels of the Tabernacle, including the Ark, the Menorah, the Table, and the Incense Altar. Jewish tradition attributes to him a deep understanding of the secrets of creation, as the Tabernacle is perceived as a microcosmic parallel of the entire universe. The Talmudic sages say that Betzalel knew how to "combine the letters with which heaven and earth were created," meaning he possessed a kabbalistic understanding of the sacred letters and combinations through which the world was formed. The name Betzalel carries multiple meanings and layers of interpretation. It symbolizes not only divine protection but also exceptional creative talent, practical wisdom, and the ability to bridge the spiritual and material realms. A person bearing this name is perceived as having natural artistic ability, the capacity to express lofty ideas in tangible form, and a profound appreciation of beauty and aesthetics. In modern Israeli culture, the name gained additional significance through Bezalel - the renowned Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, founded in 1906 and named after the biblical artisan. This institution became a symbol of Hebrew creativity, artistic innovation, and the connection between tradition and renewal. The name Betzalel thus conveys not only a rich historical heritage but also values of creation, innovation, and artistic excellence. It is a name suitable for parents seeking a name with deep spiritual meaning, historical connection to sources, and expression of hope that their child will be blessed with creative talents and wisdom.

The name בצלאל with vowels

בְּצַלְאֵל

The name בצלאל in English

Betzalel | Bezalel | Betsalel

בצלאל is mainly suitable for

Boy

Is the name בצלאל considered international

No

Origin of the name בצלאל from the Bible

Exodus 35:30-31 - And Moses said unto the children of Israel: See, the LORD hath called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And He hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship

Origin of the name בצלאל from Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, the name Betzalel carries special significance related to the secrets of creation. Kabbalistic sages interpret that Betzalel knew the combinations of letters with which heaven and earth were created, and was able to connect the upper world with the lower world through his art. The name symbolizes the ability to perceive the hidden divine light within matter and elevate it, as well as the connection between Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (understanding), and Da'at (knowledge) - the three upper sefirot. Betzalel represents the person capable of bringing spiritual light down into the world of action and transforming abstract ideas into tangible creations.

Gematria value for the name בצלאל

153

=

2

ב

+

90

צ

+

30

ל

+

1

א

+

30

ל

Numerology value for the name בצלאל

9

=

2

ב

+

90

צ

+

30

ל

+

1

א

+

30

ל

=

153

=

1

+

5

+

3

=

9

Famous people named בצלאל

Bezalel Smotrich (Israeli politician) | Bezalel Stern (Rabbi and Halachic authority) | Bezalel Zolty (Artist and designer)

Names similar to בצלאל

Total times the name בצלאל was registered

1638 times

Graph of the name בצלאל

* Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. As of April 2022