Eleazar
- Dates
- 1463–1353 BC
Name means "God has helped." He is the third son of Aaron and Elisheba. He is put in charge of the sanctuary after his two older brothers Nadab and Abihu died. He is clothed with his father's priestly garments on Mount Hor before Aaron dies.
In detail
The third son of Aaron (Ex 6:23 Num 3:2). He served as priest with his father and brothers during the wilderness wanderings (Ex 28:1, 44 Num 3:4 16:39 19:3). He outlived his older brothers, whom God slew when they offered strange fire (Lev 10:1—7), and was divinely appointed as high priest when his father died (Num 20:25—28 cf. Deut 10:6). He took part in the division of the Promised Land (Jos 14:1).
He was buried near the home of his son Phinehas, who succeeded him as high priest (ch 24:33 Jgs 20:28). Eleazar was the ancestor of the Zadokite priests, who in Solomon's time won precedence over the family of Abiathar, which descended from Ithamar, Eleazar's younger brother (1 Chr 6:4—15 1 Ki 2:26, 27, 35).
Bible passages
- Exodus 6:23
And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
- Joshua 24:33
And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.
Text of the King James Version.