Eleazar

AaronEnglish

A High Priest from the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.23.

Eleazar, the son of Aaron, is prominently featured in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and 1 Chronicles. He was the third son of Aaron and Elisheba (Exodus 6:23,25) and was consecrated as a priest along with his brothers (Exodus 28:1). After the deaths of his older brothers, Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2), Eleazar became the chief priest under his father (Numbers 3:32). He assisted Moses in the census (Numbers 26:1,3,63) and the allocation of lands to the tribes (Num.32.2,28; 34.17;Jos.14.1; 17.4; 19.51). Eleazar succeeded Aaron as high priest (Numbers 20:25-28;Deuteronomy 10:6) and served in that role during the conquest of Canaan (Jos.21.1; 22.13,31,32). He played a key role in the distribution of the Levitical cities (Joshua 21:1) and died during the time of Joshua (Joshua 24:33). His descendants continued to serve as priests (Judges 20:28;1Ch.6.3-4,50; 9.20; 24.1-6;Ezra 7:5).