Exodus 6:23
And Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
And Aaron married Elisheba
Aaron, the brother of Moses, is a central figure in the Exodus narrative, serving as the first high priest of Israel. His marriage to Elisheba signifies the establishment of a priestly lineage. Elisheba, whose name means "God is my oath," is a woman of notable lineage, connecting Aaron to the tribe of Judah through marriage. This union symbolizes the unity and cooperation between the tribes of Levi and Judah, which are significant in Israel's history.

the daughter of Amminadab
Amminadab is a member of the tribe of Judah, and his name means "my kinsman is noble." This connection to Judah is significant, as Judah is the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ would descend. The mention of Amminadab highlights the importance of family lineage and heritage in biblical narratives, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promises through specific family lines.

and sister of Nahshon
Nahshon is a prominent figure in the tribe of Judah and is recognized as a leader during the wilderness journey. He is listed in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, underscoring the messianic significance of this family line. Nahshon's leadership role and his connection to Aaron through Elisheba further illustrate the interconnectedness of Israel's tribes and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar
These four sons of Aaron are significant in the establishment of the priesthood. Nadab and Abihu, the eldest, are known for their tragic deaths due to offering unauthorized fire before the Lord, as recorded in Leviticus 10. This event underscores the holiness required in serving God and the serious nature of the priestly office. Eleazar and Ithamar continued the priestly line, with Eleazar succeeding Aaron as high priest. The priesthood established through Aaron's sons is a type of the ultimate high priesthood of Jesus Christ, who perfectly mediates between God and humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He played a crucial role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt and establishing the priesthood.

2. Elisheba
The wife of Aaron, daughter of Amminadab, and sister of Nahshon. Her marriage to Aaron links the priestly line to the tribe of Judah.

3. Amminadab
Elisheba's father, a member of the tribe of Judah. His lineage is significant in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

4. Nahshon
Elisheba's brother, who later becomes a leader of the tribe of Judah during the wilderness journey.

5. Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar
The sons of Aaron and Elisheba. Nadab and Abihu are known for their disobedience in offering unauthorized fire before the Lord, while Eleazar and Ithamar continued the priestly line.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Godly Heritage
Aaron's marriage to Elisheba connects the priestly line to the tribe of Judah, emphasizing the significance of family heritage in God's plan. Believers are encouraged to value and uphold their spiritual heritage.

Obedience in Worship
The account of Nadab and Abihu serves as a cautionary tale about the necessity of following God's instructions in worship. It reminds us to approach God with reverence and obedience.

Leadership and Responsibility
Aaron's role as high priest and Nahshon's leadership in Judah highlight the responsibilities that come with leadership positions. Christians are called to lead with integrity and faithfulness.

The Interconnectedness of God's People
The genealogical connections in this verse illustrate how God weaves together the lives of His people for His purposes. We are reminded that our lives are part of a larger account.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Aaron's marriage to Elisheba reflect the importance of family and heritage in God's plan for His people?

2. What lessons can we learn from the account of Nadab and Abihu about the importance of obedience in worship?

3. In what ways does the leadership of Aaron and Nahshon demonstrate the responsibilities that come with being a leader among God's people?

4. How does the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 connect to the individuals mentioned in Exodus 6:23, and what does this reveal about God's plan for salvation?

5. Reflect on your own spiritual heritage. How can you honor and build upon it in your daily walk with Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 10
This chapter details the tragic event of Nadab and Abihu offering unauthorized fire before the Lord, resulting in their deaths. It highlights the importance of obedience in worship.

Numbers 2:3
Nahshon is mentioned as the leader of the tribe of Judah, showing the prominence of Elisheba's family in Israel's history.

Matthew 1:4-5
The genealogy of Jesus includes Amminadab and Nahshon, connecting the priestly and royal lines to the Messiah.
Shaken Faith, and an Unshaken PurposeJ. Orr Exodus 6:9-14, 28-30
A Panoramic Glance At HistoryJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 6:14-27
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 6:14-27
The Genealogical TableHenry, MatthewExodus 6:14-27
The Genealogy of the ChurchJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 6:14-27
The Genealogy of Moses and AaronJ. Orr Exodus 6:14-28
People
Aaron, Abiasaph, Abihu, Amminadab, Amram, Assir, Canaanitish, Carmi, Egyptians, Eleazar, Elisheba, Elkanah, Elzaphan, Enoch, Gershon, Hanoch, Hezron, Isaac, Israelites, Ithamar, Izhar, Jachin, Jacob, Jamin, Jemuel, Jochebed, Kohath, Korah, Korahites, Korhites, Levi, Levites, Libni, Mahali, Mahli, Merari, Mishael, Moses, Mushi, Naashon, Nadab, Nahshon, Nepheg, Ohad, Pallu, Phallu, Pharaoh, Phinehas, Putiel, Reuben, Saul, Shaul, Shimei, Shimi, Simeon, Uzziel, Zichri, Zithri, Zohar
Places
Canaan, Egypt
Topics
Aaron, Abihu, Abi'hu, Amminadab, Ammin'adab, Bare, Beareth, Birth, Bore, Daughter, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Elisheba, Eli'sheba, Ithamar, Ith'amar, Married, Naashon, Nadab, Nahshon, Sister, Taketh, Wife
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 6:14-25

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
To the Saddest of the Sad
I often wonder what those preachers do who feel called to make up their message as they go on; for if they fail, their failure must be attributed in great measure to their want of ability to make up a moving tale. They have to spread their sails to the breeze of the age, and to pick up a gospel that comes floating down to them on the stream of time, altering every week in the year; and they must have an endless task to catch this new idea, or, as they put it, to keep abreast of the age. Unless, indeed,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

From Egypt to Sinai.
Ex. Chs. 1-19 Israel in Egypt. The length of time the Hebrews remained In Egypt is a perplexing question. Exodus 6:16-20 makes Moses the fourth generation from Levi (See Gen. 15:16; Num. 26:57-59). This would make it about 150 years. Gen. 15:13 predicts 400 years. Ex. 12:40 says they were there 430 years and Paul (Gal. 3:17) says 430 years from Abraham to Sinai. These apparently conflicting dates may be explained because of different methods of counting generations, probably based on long lives of
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

Fourth Day. Holiness and Revelation.
And when the Lord saw that Moses turned aside to see, He called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And He said, Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. And Moses hid his face, for He was afraid to look upon God.'--Ex. iii. 4-6. And why was it holy ground? Because God had come there and occupied it. Where God is, there is holiness; it is the presence of God makes holy. This is the
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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