Exodus 6 23

Exodus 6:23 kjv

And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Exodus 6:23 nkjv

Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Exodus 6:23 niv

Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Exodus 6:23 esv

Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Exodus 6:23 nlt

Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she gave birth to his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Exodus 6 verses

Exodus 6 23 Meaning

Exodus 6:23 states that Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon. From this union, four sons were born: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. This verse establishes the foundational family lineage of Aaron, from whom the Levitical high priesthood was divinely ordained to descend, setting the stage for his crucial role in Israel's worship and national identity.

Exodus 6 23 Context

Exodus chapter 6 forms a crucial transition in the narrative, following God's initial instructions to Moses (Exo 5) and the people's and Pharaoh's unresponsive reactions. Here, the LORD reconfirms His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, revealing His covenant name, Yahweh, and reiterating His solemn promise to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage and bring them into the promised land. Before the direct confrontation with Pharaoh (which resumes after this passage), a detailed genealogy is provided in verses 14-25. This genealogy, specifically focusing on Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, serves to authenticate Moses and Aaron as legitimate leaders chosen by God, proving their tribal identity and Israelite lineage. Verse 23, in particular, anchors Aaron and his priestly family within this established history, preparing the reader for his prominent role in the priesthood and the spiritual life of the nation under the impending Mosaic Covenant. The intermarriage described also subtly connects the soon-to-be priestly tribe (Levi through Aaron) with the prominent future royal tribe (Judah through Elisheba's brother, Nahshon).

Exodus 6 23 Word analysis

• And Aaron (וְאַהֲרֹן, və'aharōn): Aaron, Moses' elder brother, is introduced here in a personal capacity. His name means "mountain of strength" or "enlightened one." This verse precedes his official appointment, establishing his family life as context for his divine calling to the priesthood.

• took him (וַיִּקַּח לּוֹ, vayyiqqaḥ lō): Implies a formal act of marriage, signifying Aaron's entry into a legitimate marital and familial state. This is fundamental for the establishment of his lineage.

• Elisheba (אֱלִישֶׁבַע, ʾĕlīšeḇaʿ): Means "My God is an oath" or "God of seven." Her name is significant as it possibly speaks of God's covenant faithfulness, setting a theological backdrop for the family that would mediate God's covenant with Israel.

• daughter of Amminadab (בַּת־עַמִּינָדָב, baṯ-ʿammīnāḏāḇ): Amminadab means "My kinsman is noble" or "My people are generous." His mention identifies Elisheba's paternal lineage, a key element in establishing tribal ties.

• sister of Nahshon (אֲחוֹת נַחְשׁוֹן, ʾaḥōṯ naḥšôn): Nahshon was the prominent prince of the tribe of Judah (Num 1:7; 2:3). His name means "enchanter" or "serpent." His lineage is vital, connecting the future high priestly family of Aaron (from Levi) with the tribe from which King David and, ultimately, the Messiah would descend. This strategic marriage ties the two crucial covenant lines of Israel together from an early stage.

• to wife (לְאִשָּׁה, ləʾiššāh): Clarifies the nature of the relationship, confirming the marital status which precedes the birth of their children and the establishment of a legitimate line of descent.

• and she bare him (וַתֵּלֶד לוֹ, vatteled lō): A direct statement of the consequence of the marriage: the birth of offspring. It highlights the fertility and blessedness within the covenant family structure.

• Nadab (נָדָב, nāḏāḇ): Meaning "Generous" or "Noble." As the firstborn, he held a significant position, though his later actions tragically showed a departure from true nobility and respect for God's holiness (Lev 10).

• Abihu (אֲבִיהוּא, ʾăḇīhūʾ): Meaning "My Father is He" or "He is my Father" (possibly referring to God). The second son, whose fate mirrored Nadab's.

• Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָר, ʾelʿāzār): Meaning "God has helped." The third son, whose name would later resonate with the fact that God indeed helped and sustained the priesthood through him after the demise of his elder brothers. He became Aaron's successor as high priest.

• and Ithamar (וְאִיתָמָר, wəʾîṯāmār): Meaning "Land of Palms" or "Island of Palms." The fourth and youngest son, who also served in the priesthood and established a continuing line of priests.

• Words-group analysis:

  • Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon: This detailed description of Aaron's wife is not coincidental. It emphatically highlights the strategic intertribal connection. Aaron, of the Levitical lineage, marries into a leading family of the tribe of Judah, linking the nascent priesthood with the tribe destined to produce the kingly line. This foreshadows the unity and intertwining of spiritual and temporal authority within God's chosen people, ultimately pointing to Christ as both King and High Priest.
  • Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar: The enumeration of all four sons in this foundational passage sets the stage for future events. It indicates the divine plan for multiple branches of the priestly family to exist. While Nadab and Abihu's tragic end is yet to come in the biblical narrative, their inclusion here underscores the initial fullness of the priestly succession, with Eleazar and Ithamar representing the preserved lineage through which the Aaronic priesthood would endure.

Exodus 6 23 Bonus section

The genealogical record in Exodus 6:23 is not exhaustive, but teleological; it includes specific details, like Nahshon's relation, for future theological development and validation. It exemplifies God's precise and deliberate ordering of history and families to accomplish His sovereign will. This specific marital union demonstrates that God's plans are intricately woven through individual choices and connections, sometimes prefiguring much later revelations, such as the future unity of the priestly and kingly roles in the Messiah. It highlights that God prepares key individuals and their families long before their appointed time of public service, building His redemptive narrative through generations.

Exodus 6 23 Commentary

Exodus 6:23, while a succinct genealogical entry, carries immense theological and structural significance within the Bible. It meticulously establishes the lineage of Aaron, not merely as a family record but as the divinely sanctioned root of the Israelite high priesthood. This seemingly dry genealogical detail sets the framework for the entire Mosaic system of worship, centered around the priestly function.

The specific mention of Elisheba's family is paramount. Her being "daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon" forges a crucial inter-tribal connection. Aaron is from the tribe of Levi, chosen for priesthood, while Nahshon is a prominent leader (prince) from the tribe of Judah, the tribe destined to bear the royal lineage of King David and ultimately the Messiah. This early intertwining suggests God's grand design for His people, uniting religious authority with kingly leadership. It foreshadows the person of Christ, who would perfectly fulfill both the priestly office (after the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron, but reflecting a holy mediation) and the kingly throne, forever bridging divine mediation and righteous rule.

The naming of Aaron's four sons introduces figures who will play significant roles in the ensuing narrative. Nadab and Abihu, though born here without distinction, tragically signify the high standards of holiness required for those ministering before God, and the dire consequences of disobedience. Their later death for offering "strange fire" serves as a solemn warning against spiritual carelessness. Conversely, Eleazar and Ithamar represent the faithful continuation of the priestly line, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant and His ability to preserve His purposes even through human frailty and failure. The simple listing of their births here underpins the legitimacy and future continuity of the Aaronic priesthood, central to Israel's identity and communion with God.