These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "whom he consecrated" doesn't refer to God, but rather to Moses, who performed the physical rituals that officially set Aaron's sons apart for their sacred duties. This highlights that even divine appointments involve tangible, human actions to bring them into effect.
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The book of Numbers is detailing Israel's journey and God's instructions for them, and this verse comes right after mentioning Aaron and Moses. The immediate context sets up a census of the Levites, but before diving into that, God specifies the lineage and ordination of Aaron's sons as the consecrated priests. This is crucial because Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron's sons, had already died for improper worship, leaving Eleazar and Ithamar to continue the priestly duties under Moses' direction and God's command.
The verse mentions Aaron's sons were 'anointed' and 'consecrated.' What does this unique ritual involve, and why was it so important?
The consecration of priests, particularly Aaron's sons, was a profound and multi-step process described in detail in Exodus and Leviticus.
Filling the Hands
The Hebrew phrase "filled their hand" (often translated as 'consecrated') literally meant placing sacrificial offerings into the hands of the priests. This act symbolized them being set apart and dedicated to God's service with these very offerings.
The Anointing Oil
They were also anointed with holy oil. While the High Priest (Aaron) was specifically anointed as described in Exodus 30, the text here implies that Aaron's sons also shared in this anointing, signifying their unique calling and empowerment by God for their sacred duties.
Divine Appointment
This entire process, performed by Moses as God's agent, wasn't just a formality. It was a divine appointment, marking them as holy and authorized to minister before the Lord. This distinguished them from any ordinary Israelite and underscored the seriousness of their role.
The verse begins by listing the names of Aaron's sons. Why is this lineage so significant in the unfolding plan of God?
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The genealogy of Aaron's sons, beginning with this verse in Numbers, is foundational for understanding the structure and continuation of worship in ancient Israel.
A Specific Calling
Aaron's family line was chosen by God to be priests. This wasn't a position earned through merit but a divine selection, establishing a specific lineage responsible for mediating between God and the people.
Continuity and Order
Listing their names emphasizes the continuity of this sacred office. Even though two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, would tragically die due to disobedience (as noted in the broader context of chapter 3), the line of service established through Eleazar and Ithamar continued. This ensured order and faithfulness in the Tabernacle's ministry.
A Shadow of Christ
This human priesthood, with its rituals and lineage, ultimately served as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest who, through his own sacrifice, consecrated us to God (Hebrews 9:11-14).
Understand the original words
kōhēn · Hebrew Noun
One who holds a sacred office, designated to act as a mediator between God and the people through the offering of sacrifices and intercession.
māšaḥ · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Set apart or consecrated through the application of oil, signifying divine selection and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit for a specific ministry or office.
mālāʾ yāḏ · Hebrew Verb (Idiom)
To fill the hands; the formal act of consecrating or commissioning someone for service to God, equipping them for the specific duties of their sacred office.
This verse names the sons of Aaron who officially served as priests. Their consecration and ministry are directly tied to the establishment of the Tabernacle and the Law at Mount Sinai, with a somber note on the early loss of two sons.
c. 1440 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God establishes the covenant and gives the Law to Moses and the Israelites, including the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and the Levitical priesthood.
c. 1440 BC
Consecration of Aaron and his sons
Aaron and his four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, are consecrated by Moses to serve as priests, marking the official beginning of the Levitical priesthood.
c. 1440 BC
Sin of Nadab and Abihu
Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu offer unauthorized fire before the Lord and die, leaving only Eleazar and Ithamar to continue the priestly duties.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
Levites Chosen as Assistants
God commands Moses to set apart the Levites to assist the priests and serve in the Tabernacle, numbering them from one month old and upward.
c. 1440 BC
Census of Israelite Firstborn
A census of all firstborn males among the Israelites is taken, revealing there are more firstborn than Levites available to serve as replacements.
c. 1440 BC
Redemption of Excess Firstborn
A redemption price is established for the Israelite firstborn who exceed the number of Levites, demonstrating God's order and provision.
This passage details the specific rituals of consecration, including the 'filling of the hands' with offerings, which set apart Aaron and his sons for the priestly service mentioned in Numbers 3:3.
Leviticus 8:1-13This section provides the narrative account of the actual consecration ceremony performed by Moses for Aaron and his sons, directly illustrating the 'consecration' referred to in Numbers 3:3.
Numbers 3:39-45These verses highlight the Levites being chosen to serve God 'instead of all the firstborn,' drawing a parallel to the specific priestly lineage established in Numbers 3:3 and their unique calling.
1 Samuel 2:35-36This passage speaks of God establishing a 'faithful priest' for Himself, foreshadowing the enduring and divinely appointed priestly line that began with Aaron and his sons as described in Numbers 3:3.
Hebrews 5:1-4This New Testament passage reiterates that a high priest, like Aaron and his sons, must be divinely appointed and consecrated, echoing the foundational concept of ordained service found in Numbers 3:3.
ellicottNumbers 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."
(3) Whom he consecrated . . . — Literally, filled their hand. The rites of consecration are described at length in Exodus 29:1-37 , where the command given to Moses is related. and in Leviticus 8:1-13 , where the account is given of the actual consecration, on which occasion the appointed sacrificial offerings were placed by Moses in the hands of Aaro…
gillNumbers 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."
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests that were anointed,.... With the holy, anointing oil, with which they were anointed when, Aaron was and they only, see Exodus 30:30 , whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office; that is, whom Moses consecrated, by anointing them, putting the priest's garments on them, offering sacrifice…
The phrase "whom he consecrated" doesn't refer to God, but rather to Moses, who performed the physical rituals that officially set Aaron's sons apart for their sacred duties. This highlights that even divine appointments involve tangible, human actions to bring them into effect.
The book of Numbers is detailing Israel's journey and God's instructions for them, and this verse comes right after mentioning Aaron and Moses. The immediate context sets up a census of the Levites, but before diving into that, God specifies the lineage and ordination of Aaron's sons as the consecrated priests. This is crucial because Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron's sons, had already died for improper worship, leaving Eleazar and Ithamar to continue the priestly duties under Moses' direction and God's command.
The book of Numbers is detailing Israel's journey and God's instructions for them, and this verse comes right after mentioning Aaron and Moses. The immediate context sets up a census of the Levites, but before diving into that, God specifies the lineage and ordination of Aaron's sons as the consecrated priests. This is crucial because Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron's sons, had already died for improper worship, leaving Eleazar and Ithamar to continue the priestly duties under Moses' direction and God's command.
"These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests." — The phrase "whom he consecrated" doesn't refer to God, but rather to Moses, who performed the physical rituals that officially set Aaron's sons apart for their sacred duties. This highlights that eve…
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Last reviewed October 2026