Who were the sons of Izhar mentioned in Exodus 6:21? Genealogical Placement Izhar (יִצְהָר, yiṣhār, “shining oil/olive”) is the second-listed son of Kohath, grandson of Levi (Exodus 6:18). Exodus 6:21 names three direct sons of Izhar—Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri—thus forming one of the four chief Kohathite branches (Amram, Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel). Their line is traced again in Numbers 3:27; 1 Chronicles 6:18–23; and 1 Chronicles 24:22. Biblical Occurrences and Textual Witnesses Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Dead Sea Scroll fragment 4QExodᵃ (≈1:12–6:22) all concur on the triad Korah–Nepheg–Zichri. No variant omits or adds a name, underscoring the genealogical stability of this verse. Later Hebrew scribes, Greek translators, and the early church Fathers quote the same list, confirming continuity from Moses’ day to the present English Bibles. Meanings of Their Names • Korah (קֹרַח, qōraḥ) – “bald,” possibly “ice.” • Nepheg (נֶפֶג, nepheg) – “sprout,” “shoot,” connoting strength or bursting forth. • Zichri (זִכְרִי, zikhri) – “my remembrance,” “memorable.” Hebraists link these meanings to their biblical fates: Korah’s self-exaltation ends in “cutting off,” Nepheg’s name hints at potential yet unrealized growth, and Zichri’s lineage lives on in temple service—a memorial to God’s faithfulness. Korah: Profile and Legacy 1. Rebel Leader (Numbers 16). Korah, with Dathan and Abiram, contests Aaronic priesthood; earth swallows the rebels. 2. Line Continues (Numbers 26:11). “But the sons of Korah did not die.” God judges sin yet preserves a remnant. 3. Temple Guardians and Psalmists. 1 Chronicles 9:19 and titles of Psalm 42, 44–49, 84–88 attribute at least eleven psalms to the “sons of Korah,” celebrating God’s holiness—the irony of a chastened lineage transformed into worship leaders. Nepheg: The Obscure Brother Apart from the genealogies (Exodus 6:21; 1 Chronicles 6:20), Scripture is silent on Nepheg. His lack of narrative highlights a biblical theme: some lives serve chiefly as connective tissue in redemptive history, showing that every person named by God has significance even without detailed record. Zichri: The Remembered One Zichri is again named in 1 Chronicles 6:20 as ancestor of Shelomoth, an officer over temple treasures in David’s reign (1 Chronicles 26:22). Thus the Zichrite branch shoulders financial stewardship for worship—a living parable of fidelity after Korah’s infidelity. Levitical Duties of the Izharites Numbers 3:27–31 assigns the broader Kohathites, including Izharites, to care for the sanctuary furniture—the ark, table, lampstand, altars, and veil. During the wilderness march, they bore these most sacred objects on their shoulders, foreshadowing Christ, the true Temple, who bears our reconciliation (John 2:19–21). Descendants of Izhar in the Chronicles and Later History 1 Chronicles 24:22 lists Shelomoth (variant Shelomith) as “son of Izhar,” likely a great-grandson. In Ezra 8:33 the family resurfaces after exile, again trusted with temple gold. Post-biblical rabbinic notes (b. Pesachim 4a) remember Korah’s sons chanting psalms in the Second Temple, attesting to multigenerational ministry. Theological and Practical Implications 1. God preserves His promises through flawed people. Korah rebelled, yet his house became a fountain of worship. 2. Names in Scripture are purposeful, underscoring divine sovereignty over every lineage. 3. Genealogies validate the historic birth line culminating in Messiah (Luke 3:23-38), grounding salvation in verifiable history rather than myth. Key Scriptural Citations Exodus 6:18 – “Kohath’s sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel…” Exodus 6:21 – “The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri.” Numbers 3:30 – “The leader of the Kohathite families was Elizaphan son of Uzziel.” Numbers 26:11 – “However, the sons of Korah did not die.” 1 Chronicles 6:22 – “The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his firstborn, Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri.” 1 Chronicles 26:22 – “Shelomoth and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated things…” Thus, the sons of Izhar—Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri—stand as historical, textual, and theological signposts testifying to God’s justice, mercy, and meticulous orchestration of redemptive history. |
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