Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse subtly highlights that Aaron married into the prominent tribe of Judah, not from his own priestly lineage. This wasn't a problem because Levites could marry outside their tribe, and it foreshadows the union of kingly and priestly roles in Christ.
Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse introduces Aaron's wife and their four sons, listing them by name. This family information immediately follows the genealogy of Aaron and Moses's line, grounding their significant roles in God's plan within human lineage and showing the priestly line Aaron would establish. The sons mentioned will later play pivotal roles, some tragically, in the early days of Israel's journey out of Egypt.
Did you know that marriage rules in ancient Israel weren't always as strict as we might think? This verse reveals a surprising detail about Aaron's family.
While the Law later restricted marriages within specific tribes to maintain land inheritance, the early stages of Israel's history, as seen here, show more flexibility.
A Broader Picture
Aaron, a Levite, married Elisheba, who was from the tribe of Judah. This wasn't an issue because the Levites, having no land inheritance, were not bound by the same inheritance-preserving marriage rules as other tribes.
A Prophetic Union
Many scholars note the significance of unions between the tribe of Judah (from which kings would come) and the tribe of Levi (from which priests would come). This foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who would uniquely embody both the Kingly and Priestly roles.
This verse introduces us to Aaron's sons. But why are their names so important in the grand narrative of Israel?
Exodus 6:23 names Aaron's four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These names are not just genealogical markers; they represent the foundation of the Levitical priesthood that would serve Israel.
Continuity and Legacy
Nadab and Abihu, though mentioned first, famously met a tragic end for offering unauthorized fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-2). However, their deaths didn't end the priesthood. Instead, the line of service continued through Eleazar and Ithamar.
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A Godly Order
Eleazar succeeded Aaron as High Priest, and his line, along with Ithamar's, formed the two main branches of the priesthood throughout Israel's history. This lineage was crucial for the continuity of worship and the carrying out of God's commands for sacrifice and service.
This verse grounds the lineage of the priestly line, Aaron's family, within the broader context of the Israelite tribes and their pivotal Exodus from Egypt. It highlights the significance of lineage and divine calling as the foundation for sacred service.
c. 15th century BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites depart from Egypt after centuries of enslavement, marking the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 15th century BC
Wilderness Wanderings Begin
Following the Exodus, the Israelites embark on a 40-year journey through the Sinai desert, during which God establishes His covenant and gives them laws.
c. 15th century BC
Tabernacle Construction
God commands the Israelites to build a portable sanctuary, the Tabernacle, where He will dwell among them and where the priestly duties will be performed.
c. 15th century BC
Aaronic Priesthood Established
God formally establishes the Levitical priesthood through Aaron and his sons, assigning them specific roles and responsibilities in service at the Tabernacle.
This passage provides the genealogy connecting Amminadab and Nahshon to David, highlighting their prominent place in the lineage of Judah and ultimately Jesus.
1 Chronicles 2:10-15This confirms the lineage of Nahshon from Judah, further emphasizing the royal and ancestral significance of Aaron's wife and her family.
Numbers 1:7This verse identifies Nahshon as the prince of the tribe of Judah during the census at Sinai, underscoring the high standing of Aaron's wife's family.
Matthew 1:4This Gospel genealogy directly links Nahshon to the ancestry of Jesus, showing how this marriage connected the priestly line of Aaron to the royal line of David and ultimately to Christ.
Leviticus 10:1-2This passage recounts the tragic fate of Aaron's two elder sons, Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, highlighting the solemn responsibilities and potential dangers associated with the priestly line established in this verse.
clarkeExodus 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."
Elisheba - The oath of the Lord. It is the same name as Elizabeth, so very common among Christians. She was of the royal tribe of Judah, and was sister to Nahshon, one of the princes; see Numbers 2:3 . Eleazar - He succeeded to the high priesthood on the death of his father Aaron, Numbers 20:25, etc.
ellicottExodus 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."
(23) Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon. —Amminadab and Naashon were among the ancestors of David ( Ruth 4:19-20 ; 1Chronicles 2:10-15 ), and their names are consequently found in the genealogies of our Lord ( Matthew 1:4 ; Luke 3:32-33 ). Naashon was “prince of Judah” at the time of the Exodus ( Numbers 1:7 ; Numbers 1:16 ).
This verse subtly highlights that Aaron married into the prominent tribe of Judah, not from his own priestly lineage. This wasn't a problem because Levites could marry outside their tribe, and it foreshadows the union of kingly and priestly roles in Christ.
This verse introduces Aaron's wife and their four sons, listing them by name. This family information immediately follows the genealogy of Aaron and Moses's line, grounding their significant roles in God's plan within human lineage and showing the priestly line Aaron would establish. The sons mentioned will later play pivotal roles, some tragically, in the early days of Israel's journey out of Egypt.
This verse introduces Aaron's wife and their four sons, listing them by name. This family information immediately follows the genealogy of Aaron and Moses's line, grounding their significant roles in God's plan within human lineage and showing the priestly line Aaron would establish. The sons mentioned will later play pivotal roles, some tragically, in the early days of Israel's journey out of Egypt.
"Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar." — This verse subtly highlights that Aaron married into the prominent tribe of Judah, not from his own priestly lineage. This wasn't a problem because Levites could marry outside their tribe, and it for…
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Last reviewed October 2026