Ithamar was the youngest son of Aaron the high priest and brother of Moses. His name means “land of palms” or “island of palms.” Ithamar is first mentioned in Exodus 6:23 as one of the four sons of Aaron along with Nadab, Abihu and Eleazar. After the death of Nadab and Abihu for offering unauthorized fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-3), Ithamar and Eleazar were appointed to minister as priests with their father Aaron (Exodus 28:1).
Some key facts about Ithamar in the Bible:
- He was consecrated as a priest along with his brothers Nadab, Abihu and Eleazar to minister before the Lord (Exodus 28:1).
- Ithamar ministered as a priest during the time of the tabernacle before the temple was built (Exodus 38:21, Numbers 4:28,33).
- He assisted his brother Eleazar in taking a census of the Kohathites who served in the tabernacle (Numbers 4:28,33).
- Ithamar supervised the Gershonites and Merarites who transported parts of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:28,33).
- He assisted in dividing the land of Canaan under the leadership of Eleazar (Joshua 14:1).
- His descendants were granted cities in the territories of Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 21:4, 1 Chronicles 24:1-3).
One of the significant events during Ithamar’s priesthood was the rebellion of Korah recorded in Numbers 16. Korah and 250 leaders challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron. When Korah and his followers were judged for their rebellion, Eleazar was given oversight of the censers used in the unauthorized offering while Ithamar oversaw the rest of the bronze censers (Numbers 16:37-40).
In the book of Exodus, Ithamar played a role in constructing the tabernacle and making the priestly garments:
- He assisted in recording materials donated for constructing the tabernacle (Exodus 38:21).
- Ithamar helped inventory the gold, silver, bronze and other materials used (Exodus 38:21).
- He assisted in making the priestly garments including the ephod, breastpiece, robe, tunic, turban and sashes (Exodus 39:1-31).
Later, in the book of Leviticus, laws were given for the guidance of the priests including Ithamar (Leviticus 6:9, 7:35-36, 10:6-7,15). He also participated in ordaining his nephews Nadab and Abihu (Exodus 24:1,9). Though he was younger than his brothers, Ithamar was still anointed as a priest and consecrated to serve the Lord.
A few other facts about Ithamar:
- His name is mentioned around 20 times in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and 1 Chronicles.
- He was likely born in Egypt before the Exodus.
- He assisted Eleazar in dividing the promised land after the death of Moses and Aaron (Joshua 14:1).
- His descendants served as priests and temple assistants during the time of King David (1 Chronicles 24:1-6).
In summary, Ithamar was the youngest son of Aaron the high priest and brother of Moses. He was consecrated as a priest and assisted in the duties of the tabernacle and making priestly garments. Ithamar ministered alongside his brothers Eleazar and his father Aaron. He also supervised the tabernacle workers the Gershonites and Merarites. His descendants were granted priestly cities in Israel. Though not as prominent as Aaron and Eleazar, Ithamar faithfully served the Lord in the priesthood.
Ithamar’s Family
As mentioned, Ithamar was one of four sons born to Amram and Jochebed in Egypt (Exodus 6:20). His father Amram was from the Levite tribe and his mother Jochebed was Amram’s father’s sister (Exodus 6:20). Ithamar had two older brothers Nadab and Abihu who died while making an unauthorized sacrifice (Leviticus 10:1). His other older brother was Eleazar who later became high priest after Aaron (Numbers 20:28).
Ithamar married a woman from the tribe of Judah and had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar (1 Chronicles 24:2). His sons served as priests and temple assistants during the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 24:1-6). The descendants of Ithamar’s son Eleazar were keepers of the treasuries of the house of the Lord (1 Chronicles 26:24).
An interesting note is that two of Ithamar’s sons were named Nadab and Abihu, likely after Ithamar’s deceased older brothers. This reflected the common custom of naming children after relatives in Old Testament times. Overall, Ithamar came from a priestly Levite lineage and his sons continued this priestly heritage in Israel.
Ithamar’s Role as a Priest
As the youngest son, Ithamar grew up observing his father Aaron serve as the first high priest of Israel. Aaron and his four sons including Ithamar were formally consecrated and ordained as priests:
“And you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water…These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests” (Exodus 28:2-4).
Though Ithamar was younger than Eleazar, he was still anointed by God to serve in the holy office of priesthood. Ithamar ministered alongside Aaron and Eleazar during the time of the tabernacle before the temple was built. Some of Ithamar’s key roles and duties as a priest included:
- Assisting in recording and inventoring materials for constructing the tabernacle (Exodus 38:21).
- Supervising the Gershonites and Merarites who transported tabernacle items (Numbers 4:21-33).
- Participating in ordaining his nephews Nadab and Abihu (Exodus 24:9).
- Consecrating the Levites for tabernacle service (Numbers 8:5-22).
- Helping teach and judge the Israelites (Leviticus 10:8-11).
- Offering sacrifices and burnt offerings (Leviticus 1:1-17, 6:8-13).
- Assisting in dividing Canaan under Eleazar after Moses’ death (Joshua 14:1).
Additionally, Ithamar helped carry out priestly responsibilities related to rituals, festivals, instruments, furnishings, and laws (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers). His duties reflected what God intended for the priests as mediators between Himself and the Israelites.
Ithamar and the Rebellion of Korah
One key event during Ithamar’s priesthood was Korah’s rebellion recorded in Numbers 16. The Levite Korah joined by leaders of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron:
“They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, ‘You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?’” (Numbers 16:3).
In response, Moses proposed a test saying:
“This is how you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord” (Numbers 16:28-30).
The next day the ground opened up and swallowed Korah and his followers. Fire also came out and consumed the 250 leaders offering incense. When the people complained again about Moses and Aaron, the Lord sent a plague that killed 14,700 more people (Numbers 16:31-50).
Afterwards, Eleazar was placed in charge of collecting the bronze censers offered by Korah and his men. These censers were hammered into a covering for the altar as a reminder of the rebellion (Numbers 16:36-40). Meanwhile, Ithamar oversaw collecting the remaining censers not used for the altar covering (Numbers 16:37, 39-40). This event highlights Ithamar’s leadership role as a priest during that turbulent time in Israel’s wilderness journey.
Ithamar in 1 Chronicles
In 1 Chronicles 24, the priests including Ithamar’s descendants are organized into divisions for serving in the temple built by King Solomon. Ithamar’s son Eleazar is mentioned as overseeing this organization:
“With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelek a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering” (1 Chronicles 24:3).
This passage highlights how the priestly descendants of Ithamar and his brother Eleazar continued working together to serve the Lord in the temple. 1 Chronicles 24 lists the 24 priestly divisions with 16 divisions apportioned to the sons of Eleazar and 8 to the sons of Ithamar (1 Chronicles 24:4, 6). The reasons for the division imbalance are not given but may relate to the deaths of Nadab and Abihu.
Some of the duties of Ithamar’s descendants included:
- Overseeing treasuries and dedicated items in the temple (1 Chronicles 26:23-24).
- Assisting in purification rituals and sacrifices (2 Chronicles 29:12-19).
- Helping manage freewill offerings and tithing (2 Chronicles 31:12-13).
- Receiving portions like other priests (2 Chronicles 31:19).
So even long after Ithamar’s lifetime, his descendants continued faithfully serving the Lord in the temple worship and ministry.
Lessons from Ithamar’s Life
Though less prominent than his brothers, Ithamar provides some helpful lessons for believers today including:
- Faithfulness in small things: Ithamar obediently carried out priestly duties like tracking materials and supervising tabernacle workers. He remained faithful in small service opportunities.
- Servant leadership: Ithamar led and supervised tabernacle workers yet maintained a servant’s mindset in his priestly role.
- Teamwork: Ithamar did not let his position go to his head but worked harmoniously with Aaron, Eleazar and the other priests and Levites.
- Legacy: The generations of priests from Ithamar’s line highlight his positive influence on his children to follow the Lord.
While people like Moses and Aaron were more prominent, the Lord still used and blessed “lesser-known” individuals like Ithamar. Though he operated more behind the scenes, Ithamar played a vital part in the worship and ministry of Israel.
Ithamar as a Foreshadow of Christ
As an Old Testament priest, Ithamar foreshadowed aspects of Christ’s priesthood in a few ways:
- Ithamar was appointed by God which points to Christ as the divine choice for high priest (Hebrews 5:1-6).
- The priests offered sacrifices which foreshadowed Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 10:1-18).
- The priests served as mediators which anticipated Christ as the perfect mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
- The priests taught the Law which pictured Christ clarifying God’s Word (Matthew 5:17-20).
Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of all that the earthly office of priest and tabernacle represented. The author of Hebrews makes this point when he calls Jesus “a minister in the holy places” and “the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 8:1-6).
While priests like Ithamar could only temporarily atone for the people’s sins, Jesus’ sacrifice accomplished eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-14). His priesthood is vastly superior to the Levitical priesthood yet they do still point to Christ as the ultimate high priest.
Ithamar’s Place in Aaron’s Family
Aaron’s family tree can be summarized as follows:
- Father: Amram, son of Kohath, son of Levi (Exodus 6:18)
- Mother: Jochebed (Exodus 6:20)
- Brothers: Moses and Hur (Exodus 17:10-12)
- Sister: Miriam (Number 26:59)
- Wife: Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab (Exodus 6:23)
- Sons: Nadab (firstborn), Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar (Exodus 6:23)
As the youngest son, Ithamar grew up with his three older brothers including the future high priest Eleazar. They all followed in the priestly lineage from their grandfather Kohath. Ithamar married a woman from Judah and had four sons who also served the Lord as priests (1 Chronicles 24:1).
After Aaron died on Mount Hor, leadership passed to Eleazar (Numbers 20:22-29). The high priestly line continued through Eleazar’s son Phinehas (Numbers 25:7-13). Ithamar’s family served faithfully in supporting priestly roles. So while Aaron and his firstborn sons received greater prominence, Ithamar filled a crucial part in the story of Israel’s priesthood.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ithamar was the youngest son of Aaron who served God as a priest during the wilderness wanderings. Though less prominent than his brothers, Ithamar faithfully assisted in tabernacle duties, making priestly garments, offerings, and dividing the Promised Land. He also supervised transport of tabernacle items and helped respond to Korah’s rebellion.
Ithamar’s descendants continued priestly duties like temple treasuries and assisting in offerings. As a priest, Ithamar foreshadowed Christ’s perfect high priesthood in making mediation and sacrifices. Though more behind the scenes, Ithamar’s life and legacy as a priest still leaves lessons for believers today about faithfulness, servanthood and harmony.