Numbers 3 2

Numbers 3:2 kjv

And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Numbers 3:2 nkjv

And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab, the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Numbers 3:2 niv

The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Numbers 3:2 esv

These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Numbers 3:2 nlt

The names of Aaron's sons were Nadab (the oldest), Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 2 Meaning

Numbers 3:2 begins the detailing of the Aaronic priesthood lineage. It explicitly names the four sons of Aaron: Nadab, the firstborn; Abihu; Eleazar; and Ithamar. This verse, though a simple genealogical listing, is foundational. It establishes the specific individuals chosen by God through Aaron to serve as priests, highlighting the divinely ordained and hereditary nature of this sacred office within ancient Israel, crucial for the functioning of the tabernacle and Israel's relationship with God.

Numbers 3 2 Context

Numbers Chapter 3 provides the first census of the Levites, distinct from the military census of other tribes in Chapter 1. This census serves to organize the Levites for their duties regarding the tabernacle and establishes their roles under the leadership of Aaron and his sons. Verses 1-4 form a self-contained unit, introducing Aaron’s priestly line. Numbers 3:2, specifically, sets the stage for the rest of the chapter by first listing the core figures of the priesthood, namely Aaron's direct male descendants. This is immediately followed by the sobering note in verse 4 about the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, providing critical context to understand why only Eleazar and Ithamar’s lines would continue the active priestly service. Historically and culturally, such detailed genealogies established legitimate claims to office, property, and tribal identity in ancient Israel. The naming of specific individuals underscores the personal nature of God's call and the weighty responsibilities that accompanied such an elevated status, highlighting themes of divine election and accountability in sacred service.

Numbers 3 2 Word analysis

• And these are: Implies a formal introduction of a specific list or record. In Hebrew, V'elleh (וְאֵ֣לֶּה) signals an enumeration, often of significant individuals or details related to previous information, connecting to the overall theme of God's orderly establishment of roles.
• the names: Hebrew sh'mot (שְׁמ֕וֹת). A name in ancient Semitic culture was more than just an identifier; it often conveyed character, destiny, or significance. The listing of names validates the identity and legitimacy of the priestly line.
• of the sons: Hebrew b'nei (בְּנֵ֣י), denoting direct offspring, emphasizing a hereditary succession foundational to the Aaronic priesthood. This contrasts with many pagan religions where priesthood could be attained through various means, asserting divine appointment over human selection.
• of Aaron: Hebrew Aharon (אַהֲרֹ֔ן). The first High Priest of Israel, brother of Moses, specifically chosen by God for this role. All subsequent legitimate high priests had to descend from him.
• Nadab: Hebrew Nadab (נָדָ֖ב). Meaning "generous" or "willing." The firstborn son, destined for leadership, yet known for his catastrophic failure.
• the firstborn: Hebrew haB'chor (הַבְּכֹ֑ור). Signifies prime status, right of inheritance, and usually, leadership among the siblings. Nadab's position as firstborn makes his subsequent fate even more tragic and instructive.
• and Abihu: Hebrew VaAvihu (וַאֲבִיה֑וּא). Meaning "He is (my) father." Always mentioned alongside Nadab, implying their shared actions and judgment. Their sin underscored the high demands of holiness for those ministering before God.
• Eleazar: Hebrew El'azar (אֶלְעָזָ֥ר). Meaning "God has helped." He would succeed Aaron as High Priest, and his line continued the high priesthood. He represents faithfulness and divine sustenance for the priestly office.
• and Ithamar: Hebrew V'Itamar (וְאִיתָמָֽר). Meaning "Island of Palms" or "land of tamarisk." The youngest, whose descendants also served crucial roles within the Levitical setup, responsible for various tabernacle services.

Words-group analysis:

• "And these are the names of the sons of Aaron": This phrase immediately sets the genealogical register, signifying that the following individuals are integral to the divine plan for Israel's worship. It marks the formal establishment and legitimate continuation of the priestly line directly appointed by Yahweh.
• "Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar": This specific ordering, from the oldest to the youngest, maintains conventional genealogical structure. However, in light of immediate verses (Num 3:4 and Lev 10:1-2), this listing starkly highlights the mixture of divine appointment, human responsibility, tragic failure (Nadab and Abihu), and enduring faithfulness (Eleazar and Ithamar) within this consecrated family. The simple listing of all four, before immediately noting the death of the first two, emphasizes both God's original election of them all and the severe consequences of disobedience for those closest to God's presence.

Numbers 3 2 Bonus section

The inclusion of all four sons, including Nadab and Abihu, who are almost immediately described as having died (Num 3:4; Lev 10:1-2), functions as an important historical and theological anchor. It meticulously traces the original divine commission given to all of Aaron’s sons, not just the two who continued. This shows that their removal was due to their transgression, not a lack of original calling. This historical specificity highlights the principle that divine calling does not negate human responsibility or protect from the consequences of disobedience, particularly for those in sacred service. It underscores the extremely high standards of holiness required for those ministering in the immediate presence of God. This narrative also foreshadows the New Covenant reality where while all believers are a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9), the New Testament similarly provides examples of those entrusted with spiritual authority facing severe consequences for unfaithfulness or disobedience (e.g., Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5).

Numbers 3 2 Commentary

Numbers 3:2 serves as a pivotal foundational statement for the Levitical census that follows. It underscores the unique status of Aaron's immediate family as the progenitors of Israel's divinely appointed priesthood. While a mere list of names, its strategic placement at the opening of the Levite census chapter emphasizes the crucial distinction between the priestly duties of Aaron’s descendants and the general service duties of the other Levite clans. The inclusion of Nadab and Abihu, alongside Eleazar and Ithamar, subtly prepares the reader for the clarification in verse 4 regarding the line that actually continued the priesthood. This verse reinforces the hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood, established directly by God, symbolizing the continuity and sanctity of God’s ordered worship. It is a quiet testament to God's consistent purpose, even when individual human vessels fail. It also points to the foundational principle of all legitimate spiritual leadership deriving its authority from divine appointment and specific, revealed calling, not human initiative.