Ith'amar is a significant biblical figure, known as the youngest son of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel, and his wife Elisheba. He is a member of the Levitical priesthood, which was established by God through Moses to serve in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Ith'amar's lineage and role are primarily documented in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.

Family and Lineage

Ith'amar was born into the tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His father, Aaron, was appointed by God as the first high priest, and his mother, Elisheba, was the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon (Exodus 6:23). Ith'amar had three brothers: Nadab, Abihu, and Eleazar. Tragically, Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire (Leviticus 10:1-2), leaving Eleazar and Ith'amar to carry on the priestly duties.

Priestly Duties

Ith'amar played a crucial role in the administration of the tabernacle services. After the death of his brothers, he and Eleazar were tasked with the responsibilities of the priesthood under the guidance of their father, Aaron. In Exodus 38:21, Ith'amar is mentioned as having oversight of the Levites who were responsible for the construction of the tabernacle: "This is the inventory of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as recorded at the command of Moses, being the work of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest."

Ith'amar's duties extended to the supervision of the Gershonites and Merarites, two of the Levitical families responsible for the care and transportation of the tabernacle's components (Numbers 4:28, 33). His leadership ensured the proper functioning and maintenance of the sacred space where the Israelites worshiped God.

Legacy

Ith'amar's legacy continued through his descendants, who played significant roles in the history of Israel. One of his notable descendants was Eli, the high priest during the time of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9). However, the line of Ith'amar faced challenges, as seen in the judgment pronounced on Eli's house due to the sins of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2:27-36).

Despite these challenges, the line of Ith'amar remained integral to the priestly functions in Israel. The division of the priesthood into twenty-four courses during the reign of King David included descendants from both Eleazar and Ith'amar, ensuring that his lineage continued to serve in the temple (1 Chronicles 24:1-6).

Significance

Ith'amar's life and service exemplify the faithfulness required of those who serve in God's presence. His role in the priesthood highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in worship, as well as the consequences of failing to uphold God's commands, as seen in the fate of his brothers. Ith'amar's account serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Levitical priesthood and its foundational role in the spiritual life of Israel.Ith'amar (20 Occurrences)

Exodus 6:23
And Aaron took him Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, to wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
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Exodus 28:1
And bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
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Exodus 38:21
These are the accounts of the tabernacle, even the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were rendered according to the commandment of Moses, through the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.--
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Leviticus 10:6
And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons: 'Let not the hair of your heads go loose, neither tend your clothes, that ye die not, and that He be not wroth with all the congregation; but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.
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Leviticus 10:12
And Moses spoke unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left: 'Take the meal-offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar; for it is most holy.
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Leviticus 10:16
And Moses diligently inquired for the goat of the sin-offering, and, behold, it was burnt; and he was angry with Eleazar and with Ithamar, the sons of Aaron that were left, saying:
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Numbers 3:2
And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the first-born, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
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Numbers 3:4
And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children; and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the presence of Aaron their father.
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Numbers 4:28
This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting; and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
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Numbers 4:33
This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tent of meeting, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.'
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Numbers 7:8
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
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Numbers 26:60
And unto Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
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1 Chronicles 6:3
And the children of Amram: Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
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1 Chronicles 24:1
And the courses of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
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1 Chronicles 24:2
But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
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1 Chronicles 24:3
And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.
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1 Chronicles 24:4
And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers' houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers' houses, eight.
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1 Chronicles 24:5
Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for they were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
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1 Chronicles 24:6
And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites: one father's house being taken for Eleazar, and proportionately for Ithamar.
(See RSV)

Ezra 8:2
Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom; of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel; of the sons of David, Hattush.
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Ith'amar (20 Occurrences)
Ith'amar. Ithamar, Ith'amar. Ithamar's . Multi-Version Concordance
Ith'amar (20 Occurrences). Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba ...
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Ithamar (20 Occurrences)

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Ithamar's (1 Occurrence)

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