Eleazar

Family: Israel · Role: son of Aaron · First appears: Exodus 6

Eleazar, son of Aaron and Elisheba, was born among Nadab, Abihu, and Ithamar, and later became the father of Phinehas. In Exodus 28, God appointed Aaron and his sons to minister in the priest’s office, commanding their anointing, consecration, and sanctification. In Leviticus 10, Moses instructed Eleazar and Ithamar not to mourn publicly or leave the tabernacle, while God commanded them to abstain from wine and strong drink when entering it.

By Numbers 3 and 4, Eleazar served as a priest with his brothers, received the Levites for tabernacle service, and shared in receiving Israel’s redemption money. His own oversight included “the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil” along with the tabernacle and its vessels. After the rebellion in Numbers 16, he made the censers of the burned men into plates for the altar; at Mount Hor, Moses placed Aaron’s garments on him before Aaron died, and Eleazar took his place in the priestly office.

Afterward, Eleazar counted Israel with Moses on the plains of Moab, helped count and divide the captured prey, received the tribute offered to the LORD, and brought the captains’ gold into the tabernacle with Moses. He was commanded with Joshua concerning the eastern inheritance and was appointed with Joshua to divide the land by inheritance. When Moses publicly charged Joshua, Joshua stood before Eleazar, who would ask counsel for him before the LORD.