The Izharites are a Levitical family descending from Izhar, the son of Kohath and grandson of Levi. As members of the tribe of Levi, the Izharites 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 Izharites, as a Kohathite clan, were entrusted with specific duties related to the sacred objects of worship.

Genealogy and Lineage

Izhar was one of the four sons of Kohath, making the Izharites part of the Kohathite division of the Levites. The genealogy of the Izharites is outlined in several passages of the Old Testament. In Exodus 6:18, the sons of Kohath are listed: "The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel." Izhar himself had three sons: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri (Exodus 6:21).

Role and Duties

As Kohathites, the Izharites were responsible for the care and transportation of the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, and the sacred utensils. Numbers 4:4-15 details the specific duties assigned to the Kohathites, emphasizing the holiness and importance of their tasks. The Kohathites, including the Izharites, were not permitted to touch the holy objects directly; instead, they were to carry them using poles after the priests had covered them.

Notable Members

One of the most notable members of the Izharite lineage is Korah, who led a significant rebellion against Moses and Aaron. This rebellion is recounted in Numbers 16, where Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and others, challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron, questioning their exclusive claim to the priesthood. The rebellion ended with divine judgment, as the earth opened up and swallowed the rebels, and fire consumed 250 men offering incense (Numbers 16:31-35).

Despite Korah's rebellion, his descendants, known as the "sons of Korah," became prominent in the musical and liturgical life of Israel. Several Psalms are attributed to the sons of Korah, indicating their role in the worship practices of the Temple.

Census and Organization

The Izharites are mentioned in the census of the Levites conducted by Moses and Aaron. In Numbers 3:27-28, the Kohathite clans, including the Izharites, are numbered: "The Kohathite clans were the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites. The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary."

In the time of King David, the Levites, including the Izharites, were organized for service in the Temple. 1 Chronicles 23:12-13 lists the sons of Kohath and their duties, and 1 Chronicles 26:23-29 specifically mentions the Izharites in the context of their responsibilities in the Temple service.

Legacy

The Izharites, as part of the broader Levitical community, played a crucial role in maintaining the religious and spiritual life of Israel. Their duties in the Tabernacle and Temple underscored the importance of holiness and reverence in worship. Despite the blemish of Korah's rebellion, the legacy of the Izharites continued through their contributions to the worship and liturgical traditions of Israel, as evidenced by the enduring influence of the sons of Korah in the Psalms.IZHARITES

iz'-har-its (yitshari): The descendants of Izhar, son of Kohath, and grandson of Levi (Numbers 3:19, 27). In David's reign some of these were "over the treasures of the house of Yahweh" (1 Chronicles 26:23), others "were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges" (ibid., 26:29).

3325. Yitshari -- descendant of Izhar
... descendant of Izhar. Transliteration: Yitshari Phonetic Spelling: (yits-haw-ree')
Short Definition: Izharites. ... of Izhar NASB Word Usage Izharites (4). ...
/hebrew/3325.htm - 6kIzharites (4 Occurrences)
...IZHARITES. iz'-har-its (yitshari): The descendants of Izhar, son of Kohath, and
grandson of Levi (Numbers 3:19, 27). ...Izharites (4 Occurrences). ...
/i/izharites.htm - 8k

Izharite (4 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:27 Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites,
and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites ...
/i/izharite.htm - 7k

Iz'harites (3 Occurrences)
Iz'harites. Izharites, Iz'harites. Izhar'ites . ... Iz'harites (3 Occurrences).
1 Chronicles 24:22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath ...
/i/iz'harites.htm - 7k

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)
... The Kohathites consisted of four families, the Amramites, the Izharites,
the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites (Numbers 3:19, 27, etc.). ...
/k/kohathites.htm - 15k

Kohath (30 Occurrences)
... The Kohathites consisted of four families, the Amramites, the Izharites,
the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites (Numbers 3:19, 27, etc.). ...
/k/kohath.htm - 18k

Uzzielite (2 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:27 Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites,
and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites ...
/u/uzzielite.htm - 7k

Uzzielites (2 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:27 Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites,
and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites ...
/u/uzzielites.htm - 7k

Uzzie'lites (2 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:27 And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the
Izharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites ...
/u/uzzie'lites.htm - 6k

Amramite (2 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:27 Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites,
and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites ...
/a/amramite.htm - 7k

Amramites (2 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:27 Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites,
and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites ...
/a/amramites.htm - 7k

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