Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history, particularly concerning the priesthood. His descendants were chosen by God to serve as priests, a role that was to be perpetual throughout their generations.

The Establishment of the Aaronic Priesthood

The establishment of the Aaronic priesthood is detailed in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to appoint Aaron and his sons as priests, setting them apart for sacred duties. In Exodus 28:1 , God instructs Moses: "Now you are to summon your brother Aaron and his sons from among the Israelites to serve Me as priests—Aaron and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."

The Lineage of Aaron

Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. However, Nadab and Abihu died without offspring due to their unauthorized offering of "strange fire" before the Lord, as recorded in Leviticus 10:1-2 . Consequently, the priestly line continued through Eleazar and Ithamar.

Eleazar and His Descendants

Eleazar succeeded Aaron as high priest. His lineage is significant in the continuation of the priestly duties. Eleazar's son, Phinehas, is noted for his zealousness for God's honor, which secured a covenant of peace and a perpetual priesthood for his descendants. Numbers 25:12-13 states: "Therefore declare that I hereby grant him My covenant of peace. It will be a covenant of perpetual priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites."

Ithamar and His Descendants

Ithamar also played a role in the priesthood, and his descendants served in various capacities. The line of Ithamar is less prominently featured in the biblical narrative compared to Eleazar's, but it remained integral to the priestly functions.

The Perpetual Priesthood

The promise of a perpetual priesthood to Aaron's descendants is a recurring theme in the Scriptures. This covenant is reiterated in several passages, emphasizing the enduring nature of the Aaronic priesthood. In Exodus 29:9 , God declares: "And fasten the sashes on Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood is to be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you shall ordain Aaron and his sons."

The Role of the Aaronic Priests

The Aaronic priests were responsible for performing sacrifices, maintaining the sanctuary, and instructing the people in the law. They acted as mediators between God and the Israelites, ensuring the proper conduct of worship and adherence to the covenant.

Challenges and Continuity

Throughout Israel's history, the priesthood faced challenges, including periods of corruption and reform. Despite these challenges, the promise of a perpetual priesthood remained, symbolizing God's enduring covenant with Israel. The priesthood's continuity is seen in the post-exilic period, where descendants of Aaron resumed their duties in the rebuilt temple, as noted in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Conclusion

The descendants of Aaron, ordained as priests forever, played a crucial role in the religious life of Israel. Their service was a testament to God's covenantal promises and the centrality of worship in the life of the Israelite community.Exodus 28:40-43
And for Aaron's sons you shall make coats, and you shall make for them girdles, and bonnets shall you make for them, for glory and for beauty.
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Exodus 29:9
And you shall gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons.
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Numbers 3:3
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
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Numbers 18:1
And the LORD said to Aaron, You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
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1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to him, and to bless in his name for ever.
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2 Chronicles 26:18
And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said to him, It appertains not to you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for you have trespassed; neither shall it be for your honor from the LORD God.
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Fifth Sunday in Lent
... 7. The adornment of Aaron and his descendants, the high ... on our part, but alone through
the blood of Christ, and that to those for whom God has ordained it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... yesterday?" [30] ?^11By reason of rivalry Aaron and Miriam ... for a man of peace will
have descendants." [50]. ... Creator and Master of the universe ordained to exist ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... clothing"the men that of the priests of Saturn ... whose is glory and infinite power
forever and ever ... It was through marriages with the female descendants of Julius ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Dialogue ii. --The Unconfounded.
... also a Prophet as though to God, for "Aaron thy brother ... same time Creator of Adam
and Son of Adam's descendants? ... by that man whom He hath ordained whereof He ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue ii the unconfounded.htm

Who was Aaron in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the relationship of Moses and Aaron? | GotQuestions.org

Why wasn't Aaron punished for making the golden calf? | GotQuestions.org

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