Keraia
Exodus 6

Exodus 6:23

Genealogies of Moses and Aaron · Exodus 6:14–30
Read Exodus 6

Translations

Modern
And Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
Traditional
And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Literal
And Aaron took Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, to himself for a wife. And she bore to him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Latin
Accepit autem Aaron uxorem Elisabeth filiam Aminadab, sororem Nahason, quæ peperit ei Nadab, et Abiu, et Eleazar, et Ithamar.

Original

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

Notes

Exodus 6:20–25

The list of ancestors now focuses on the descendants of Kohath. It gives more detail about two family lines:

  • Aaron, the son of Amram, and

  • Korah, the son of Izhar (6:23–24).

It then names one of Aaron’s sons, Eleazar (6:25). The main focus is Aaron’s line through Eleazar, who later received the high priesthood.

Aaron and Korah were cousins. This family connection helps explain why Aaron’s appointment as high priest caused strong resentment in Korah (see Numbers 16:1–3). Conflict within families is not new.

Korah and his sons may be mentioned in detail here because of Korah’s later rebellion. That event made his family line important in Israel’s history.

Exodus 6:14–30

This section referring to family lineage places Moses and Aaron within the families of Israel. It is obviously background information because 6:30 repeats 6:12. Exodus often emphasizes the Lord as the God of the ancestors, both directly (from 3:6 onward) and indirectly (from 1:1 onward). The upcoming events were not actions by a new god dismissing older gods (a common theme in ancient pagan stories).

Unlike pagan gods, who only want personal power and often fight among themselves, the true God has one main goal. God wants his creation to find fulfillment in a proper relationship with him. Although God shows this purpose through creative acts, these actions always align with what he has already revealed about himself.

Moses and Aaron did not suddenly appear out of the unknown, but were an essential part of that same people to whom God first revealed himself and through whom he was about to give an even grander revelation. The family lineage of Jesus has a similar purpose (Matthew 1:1–16; Luke 3:23–38).

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron Egypt Eleazar Moses Pharaoh God’s Instructions

Events

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Abihu: Son of Aaron Amminadab: Father-in-law of Aaron, ancestor of David Eleazar: Son of Aaron, high priest after his father Elisheba: Aaron's wife and Nahshon's daughter Ithamar: Youngest son of Aaron; served as priest Nadab: Son of Aaron, consumed by fire for offering incense Nahshon: Son of Amminadab, leader of Judah, ancestor of David

Glossary

Aaron Abihu Amminadab Baptism of Jesus Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Eleazar Eli Elisheba Elizabeth Genealogy Ithamar Korah Naashon Nadab Nahshon

Topics

Aaron: Children of Aaron: Descendants of Aaron: Marriage of Abihu: Son of Aaron Amminadab: Father-In-Law of Aaron Eleazar (Eleazer): Son of Aaron Elisheba: Wife of Aaron Genealogy of Jacob Ithamar: Son of Aaron Naashon: A Captain of Judah's Army Nadab: Son of Aaron Nahshon: Son of Amminadab