Numbers 3:2
These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, then Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
These are the names of the sons of Aaron:

Aaron served as Israel’s first high priest, and his sons were set apart to share in the priesthood. Their names establish the family line through which sacrificial worship and tabernacle service were to be maintained.

Exo 6:23 And Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab…
Num 26:60 Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were born to Aaron,

Nadab the firstborn,

Nadab held the honor and responsibility associated with being Aaron’s oldest son. He was among those permitted to ascend Sinai with Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel and to behold a manifestation of God’s glory (Exodus 24:9–11).

1Ch 6:3 The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam.…
Lev 10:1-2 Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers,…

then Abihu,

Abihu shared Nadab’s priestly privileges and responsibilities. He too witnessed God’s glory on Sinai and was consecrated for service at the tabernacle.

Num 26:61 Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire…
Exo 24:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD”…
Lev 16:1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death…

Eleazar,

Eleazar became Aaron’s successor as high priest when Aaron died on Mount Hor (Numbers 20:25–28). His continued faithfulness provided stability for Israel during the transition from the wilderness generation into the land of promise.

Num 20:25-28 Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor.…
Deu 10:6 The Israelites traveled from Beeroth Bene-jaakan…
1Ch 6:50 These were the descendants of Aaron: Eleazar his son…

and Ithamar.

Ithamar was Aaron’s youngest son and remained in priestly service after the death of his two older brothers. Ithamar assisted in the administration of tabernacle service and supervised Levite responsibilities connected with the sanctuary (Exodus 38:21). His work illustrates that faithful service before God includes both visible ministry and careful stewardship.

Num 4:28 This is the service of the Gershonite clans…
Lev 10:6-7 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar,…
1Ch 24:1-6 These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He was chosen by God to serve as a mediator between God and the Israelites.

2. Nadab
The firstborn son of Aaron, who was consecrated as a priest. His name means "generous" or "noble."

3. Abihu
The second son of Aaron, also consecrated as a priest. His name means "he is my father."

4. Eleazar
The third son of Aaron, who later became the high priest after Aaron's death. His name means "God has helped."

5. Ithamar
The fourth son of Aaron, who served as a priest alongside his brothers. His name means "island of palms."
Teaching Points
The Importance of Spiritual Heritage
Aaron's sons were given a significant spiritual legacy. As believers, we should value and uphold the spiritual heritage passed down to us, ensuring we live in a way that honors God.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Nadab and Abihu's account serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience. We must approach God with reverence and adhere to His commands.

Roles and Responsibilities in Ministry
Each of Aaron's sons had specific roles in the priesthood. Similarly, God assigns each of us unique roles within the body of Christ, and we should faithfully fulfill our responsibilities.

God's Provision and Help
The name Eleazar, meaning "God has helped," reminds us that God is our helper in all circumstances. We can rely on His strength and guidance in our ministry and daily lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the spiritual heritage of Aaron's sons influence your understanding of your own spiritual legacy?

2. Reflect on a time when disobedience led to negative consequences in your life. How can the account of Nadab and Abihu guide your future actions?

3. What specific roles or responsibilities has God given you in your church or community, and how can you fulfill them more faithfully?

4. In what ways have you experienced God's help in your life, similar to Eleazar's name meaning "God has helped"?

5. How can the structure and order of the priesthood in the Old Testament inform our understanding of church leadership and service today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 10
This chapter details the tragic event where Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, resulting in their deaths. This highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in worship.

Exodus 28
This chapter describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, emphasizing their roles and responsibilities in the tabernacle.

1 Chronicles 24
This passage outlines the divisions of the priesthood, including the descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar, showing the continuation of their priestly duties.
Aaron and His Sons: Parents and ChildrenW. Jones.Numbers 3:1-13
Church Work and WorkersW. Jones.Numbers 3:1-13
Consecrated LivesNumbers 3:1-13
God Improves the Life Given to Him in ServiceJ. Spencer.Numbers 3:1-13
God's Claim Upon Man's ServiceW. Jones.Numbers 3:1-13
The Measure of the Divine Demands Upon ManDavid Lloyd.Numbers 3:1-13
The Necessity of a Standing MinistryW. Attersoll.Numbers 3:1-13
Vocation is in a Line with FitnessChristian WorldNumbers 3:1-13
Doing God's WorkW. Clarkson Numbers 3:1-32
The Church Engaged in a Work of Moral RepairJ.S. Exell Numbers 3:1-32
The Families of Levi Get Their Several CommissionsW. Binnie Numbers 3:1-32
People
Aaron, Abihail, Abihu, Amram, Amramites, Eleazar, Eliasaph, Elizaphan, Gershon, Gershonites, Hebronites, Israelites, Ithamar, Izehar, Izeharites, Izhar, Izharites, Kohath, Kohathites, Lael, Levi, Levites, Libni, Libnites, Mahli, Mahlites, Merari, Moses, Mushi, Mushites, Nadab, Shimei, Shimeites, Shimites, Uzziel, Uzzielites, Zuriel
Places
Egypt, Mount Sinai, Sinai
Topics
Aaron, Abihu, Abi'hu, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Firstborn, First-born, Ithamar, Ith'amar, Nadab, Names, Oldest, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 3:1-2

     5072   Aaron, spokesman

Numbers 3:2-4

     8752   false worship

Library
Fifth Day. Holiness and Redemption.
Sanctify unto me all the first-born.'--Ex. xiii. 2. 'All the first-born are mine; for on the day I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I sanctified unto me all the first-born in Israel: mine they shall be: I am the Lord.'--Num. iii. 13, viii. 17. 'For I am the Lord your God that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45. 'I have redeemed thee; thou art mine.'--Isa. xliii. 1. At Horeb we saw how the
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

It Will be Attempted to Give a Complete List of his Writings In
chronological order; those included in this volume will be marked with an asterisk and enumerated in this place without remark. The figures prefixed indicate the probable date. (1) 318: *Two books contra Gentes,' viz. c. Gent. and De Incarn. (2) 321-2: *Depositio Arii (on its authorship, see Introd.) (3) 328-373: *Festal Letters. (4) 328-335? *Ecthesis or Expositio Fidei. (5) Id.? *In Illud Omnia, etc. (6) 339: *Encyclica ad Episcopos ecclesiæ catholicæ. (7) 343: *Sardican Letters (46,
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
(the Temple at Jerusalem, b.c. 4) ^C Luke II. 21-39. ^c 21 And when eight days [Gen. xvii. 12] were fulfilled for circumcising him [The rite was doubtless performed by Joseph. By this rite Jesus was "made like unto his brethren" (Heb. ii. 16, 17); that is, he became a member of the covenant nation, and became a debtor to the law--Gal. v. 3] , his name was called JESUS [see Luke i. 59], which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. [Luke i. 31.] 22 And when the days of their
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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