Topical Encyclopedia The Izhar'ites were a Levitical family descending from Izhar, the son of Kohath and grandson of Levi. As members of the tribe of Levi, the Izhar'ites held a significant role in the religious and ceremonial life of ancient Israel. The Levites were set apart for the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, and the Izhar'ites, as part of this tribe, shared in these sacred duties.Genealogy and Lineage Izhar was one of the four sons of Kohath, making the Izhar'ites part of the Kohathite division of the Levites. The Kohathites were entrusted with the care of the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the sacred utensils (Numbers 3:31). The Izhar'ites, therefore, were part of this esteemed group responsible for transporting these holy items during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. Notable Members One of the most notable members of the Izhar'ite family was Korah, the son of Izhar. Korah is infamously known for leading a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their leadership and the priestly privileges of Aaron's descendants (Numbers 16:1-3). This rebellion resulted in a dramatic judgment from God, where the earth opened up and swallowed Korah and his followers (Numbers 16:31-33). Despite this rebellion, the descendants of Korah, known as the "sons of Korah," later became prominent in the musical aspect of Temple worship, contributing several psalms to the Book of Psalms (e.g., Psalms 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, 88). Duties and Responsibilities As part of the Kohathite division, the Izhar'ites had specific responsibilities in the service of the Tabernacle. According to 1 Chronicles 23:12-20, the Levites were organized into divisions for the service of the house of the Lord, and the Izhar'ites were included in these divisions. Their duties would have included assisting the priests, maintaining the sanctuary, and performing various tasks related to the worship and sacrifices offered to God. Role in the Monarchy During the reign of King David, the Levites, including the Izhar'ites, were organized into groups for the service of the Temple. David appointed 24,000 Levites to oversee the work of the house of the Lord, with 6,000 serving as officials and judges, 4,000 as gatekeepers, and 4,000 as musicians (1 Chronicles 23:4-5). The Izhar'ites, as part of this organization, would have played a role in these various functions, contributing to the orderly worship and administration of the Temple. Legacy The legacy of the Izhar'ites is intertwined with the broader history of the Levites and their service to God. Despite the blemish of Korah's rebellion, the Izhar'ites continued to serve faithfully in the roles assigned to them, contributing to the spiritual life of Israel. Their involvement in the musical and liturgical traditions of the Temple highlights their enduring impact on the worship practices of the Israelites. Concordance Izhar'ites (1 Occurrence)Numbers 3:27 Thesaurus Izhar'ites (1 Occurrence)Izhar'ites. Iz'harites, Izhar'ites. Izliah . Multi-Version Concordance Izhar'ites (1 Occurrence). Numbers 3:27 And of Kohath was ... /i/izhar'ites.htm - 6k Izliah (1 Occurrence) Iz'harites (3 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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