Exodus 6:23
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 page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easily missed here is the significant lineage of Aaron's wife, Elisheba. She wasn't just from a notable family; her father, Amminadab, and brother, Nahshon, were direct ancestors of both King David and Jesus, connecting the priestly line with the royal and messianic lines.
It's easy to overlook, but the text emphasizes Elisheba's lineage not just as Aaron's wife, but as the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon. This highlights her connection to the prominent tribe of Judah, foreshadowing the future union of the priestly and royal lines in Jesus, who descends from both Judah and the Levitical priesthood through Aaron.
Why could Aaron, a Levite, marry a woman from the tribe of Judah? This wasn't just a personal choice; it held significant meaning for God's people.
In the covenant nation, strict boundaries were usually maintained between tribes to preserve distinct inheritances. However, the tribe of Levi was unique.
A Tribe Without Inheritance
Levites didn't receive a land inheritance in Canaan because their calling was to serve God at the sanctuary. This special status allowed them certain freedoms, including marrying outside their tribe without causing confusion about land ownership or tribal identity.
Symbolic Union in Christ
Many commentators note that intermarriages, particularly between Levi and Judah, held symbolic meaning. They foreshadowed the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would embody both the kingly (from Judah) and priestly (from Levi) offices. Aaron's marriage to Elisheba, daughter of Judah's prince Amminadab, beautifully illustrates this foundational union.
Why does Moses give detailed family history for Aaron but not himself? It’s a powerful lesson in humility and divine focus.
This verse, along with others in Exodus 6, reveals Moses' profound humility. While detailing Aaron's lineage and his sons, Moses remains notably silent about his own children.
Prioritizing God's Work
This isn't an oversight; it's a deliberate choice. Moses understood that the mission God had given him and Aaron was paramount. The focus needed to be on God's covenant promises and the unfolding salvation plan, not on personal accolades or familial pride.
The Priesthood's Legacy
Furthermore, the priesthood was to be an hereditary office passed down through Aaron's line. Meticulously recording his sons (Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar) was essential for establishing the continuity and legitimacy of this sacred trust. Moses' own role, though vital, was personal and not passed down in the same institutional way.
The seemingly simple genealogical detail in this verse anchors Aaron's family within the broader history of Israel's redemption, connecting them to prominent figures and the pivotal events of the Exodus and establishment of the priesthood.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Israel's Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after centuries of slavery, are dramatically led out of Egypt by Moses and Aaron under God's mighty hand. This marks the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1445 BC
The Tabernacle Construction Begins
Following the Exodus, God commands the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary. This event highlights the importance of Aaron and his lineage in the priestly service.
c. 1445 BC
Aaron's Priesthood Inaugurated
God formally designates Aaron and his sons as priests through elaborate rituals. This establishes the hereditary nature of the priesthood within Aaron's family.
c. 1445 BC
Nadab and Abihu's Presumptuous Offering
Aaron's two elder sons, Nadab and Abihu, offer unauthorized fire and are struck down by God. This tragic event underscores the seriousness of the priestly role and God's holiness.
This passage shows the lineage of Nahshon, the brother of Aaron's wife Elisheba, connecting her family to the important tribe of Judah and ultimately to King David.
Numbers 1:1-7This shows Nahshon serving as a prince of the tribe of Judah during the census for the exodus, highlighting the prominent family Aaron's wife came from.
Leviticus 10:1-2This passage describes the tragic end of two of Aaron and Elisheba's sons, Nadab and Abihu, showing the serious consequences of disobedience even within priestly families.
1 Chronicles 24:1-2This chapter details the division of the priesthood into courses, showing how Aaron's sons Eleazar and Ithamar, born to Elisheba, established the hereditary lines of service.
Matthew 1:4This genealogy of Jesus directly names Nahshon as an ancestor, linking Elisheba's family line to the messianic lineage.
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 ).
What's easily missed here is the significant lineage of Aaron's wife, Elisheba. She wasn't just from a notable family; her father, Amminadab, and brother, Nahshon, were direct ancestors of both King David and Jesus, connecting the priestly line with the royal and messianic lines.
It's easy to overlook, but the text emphasizes Elisheba's lineage not just as Aaron's wife, but as the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon. This highlights her connection to the prominent tribe of Judah, foreshadowing the future union of the priestly and royal lines in Jesus, who descends from both Judah and the Levitical priesthood through Aaron.
It's easy to overlook, but the text emphasizes Elisheba's lineage not just as Aaron's wife, but as the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon. This highlights her connection to the prominent tribe of Judah, foreshadowing the future union of the priestly and royal lines in Jesus, who descends from both Judah and the Levitical priesthood through Aaron.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Exodus 6:23 is available in the Sola app.
c. 1407 BC
Census and Division of Promised Land
After 40 years in the wilderness, a census is taken and land is allotted to the tribes. Eleazar, Aaron's son, plays a key role in this process, alongside Joshua.
"Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar." — What's easily missed here is the significant lineage of Aaron's wife, Elisheba. She wasn't just from a notable family; her father, Amminadab, and brother, Nahshon, were direct ancestors of both King…
