Lexical Summary
Ithamar: Ithamar
Original Word:אִיתָמָר
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Iythamar
Pronunciation:ee-thaw-MAWR
Phonetic Spelling:(eeth-aw-mawr')
KJV: Ithamar
NASB:Ithamar
Word Origin:[fromH339 (אִי - coastlands) andH8558 (תָּמָר - palm trees)]
1. coast of the palm-tree
2. Ithamar, a son of Aaron
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Ithamar
From'iy andtamar; coast of the palm-tree; Ithamar, a son of Aaron -- Ithamar.
see HEBREW'iy
see HEBREWtamar
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
i and
tamarDefinition"land of palms," a son of Aaron
NASB TranslationIthamar (21).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(
(is) land of palms ? Thes) youngest (4th) son of Aaron
Exodus 6:23;
Exodus 28:1;
Exodus 38:21;
Leviticus 10:6,12,16;
Numbers 3:2,4;
Numbers 4:28,33;
Numbers 7:8;
Numbers 26:60 (all P)
1 Chronicles 5:29;
1 Chronicles 24:1,2,3,4 (twice in verse);
1 Chronicles 24:5,6;
Ezra 8:2.
Topical Lexicon
Family Lineage and Early MentionsIthamar was the fourth son of Aaron and Elisheba, born into the divinely chosen priestly household (Exodus 6:23;Exodus 28:1). Together with his brothers Nadab, Abihu, and Eleazar, he was consecrated to serve in the sanctuary. After the death of his two elder brothers, Ithamar and Eleazar alone remained to carry forward the Aaronic priesthood (Leviticus 10:6;Numbers 3:4).
Priestly Duties after the Nadab and Abihu Judgment
Immediately following the consuming fire that judged Nadab and Abihu, Moses addressed Ithamar and Eleazar with instructions regarding untouched portions of the grain offering. “So you shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons’ due from the fire offerings to the LORD” (Leviticus 10:13). Moses’ words highlight Ithamar’s continued obligation to model reverence and obedience, even amid tragedy. His calm compliance contrasts the earlier presumption of his brothers and underscores the holiness required of those who serve at the altar.
Oversight of Tabernacle Projects
Exodus 38:21 identifies Ithamar as the supervising priest over the Levites during the construction accounting for the Tabernacle: “This is the inventory of the tabernacle… recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest”. The verse shows him entrusted with administrative and stewardship responsibilities, demonstrating organizational skill and fidelity in managing sacred resources.
Charge over the Levite Clans
Within the wilderness marching order, Ithamar received specific oversight of two major Levite families. Over the Gershonites he supervised the transport of curtains, coverings, and cords (Numbers 4:28). Over the Merarites he supervised the transfer of structural components—frames, bars, pillars, bases, and accessories (Numbers 4:33). These assignments emphasize the breadth of his logistical leadership in safeguarding the movable sanctuary.
Participation in National Worship
When the leaders of Israel presented dedication offerings, the wagons and oxen were distributed under Moses, yet the assignment followed Ithamar’s sphere of responsibility: “Moses gave the wagons and oxen to the Levites… under the supervision of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest” (Numbers 7:8). His presence here connects him to corporate acts of thanksgiving and consecration on behalf of the nation.
Continuation of the Priestly Line
Numbers 26:60 records Ithamar as father of his own sons, ensuring the perpetuation of Aaron’s priestly legacy. Although Eleazar’s line assumed the high priesthood, Ithamar’s descendants retained priestly status and, in later generations, occupied influential roles.
Institution of Priestly Divisions
Centuries later, King David—guided by Zadok of Eleazar’s line and Ahimelech of Ithamar’s line—organized the priests into twenty-four divisions (1 Chronicles 24:1-6). Sixteen courses stemmed from Eleazar, eight from Ithamar, established “so that officials of God and officials of the king were sorted by lot” (1 Chronicles 24:4-6, summarized). The equal casting of lots honored Ithamar’s household, safeguarding impartial service in the temple and reflecting divine order transcending human preference.
Post-Exilic Reference
Ezra 8:2 names “Ithamar” in a genealogical list of those returning from Babylon, indicating descendants of his branch who remained faithful to covenant identity and priestly heritage during exile. Their willingness to return and minister in the restored temple attests to a persistent legacy of devotion.
Theological Reflections and Ministry Significance
1. Holiness and Obedience: Ithamar’s life intersects one of the most sobering episodes in Leviticus. His survival and continued service underscore God’s mercy yet uncompromising holiness.
2. Faithful Stewardship: Whether supervising inventories or transport logistics, Ithamar exemplifies precise care for sacred matters—a model for all forms of Christian stewardship.
3. Generational Continuity: From Sinai to David’s temple and beyond the exile, Ithamar’s lineage proclaims God’s faithfulness to preserve priestly ministry.
4. Complementary Service: Though not elevated to high priest, Ithamar’s supportive, administrative, and pastoral roles were indispensable. The Scriptures thus validate diverse callings within the body of believers, each honoring God when carried out with integrity.
Summary
Ithamar stands as a figure of steady fidelity amid dramatic events. Charged with both sacred rites and practical oversight, he helped secure orderly worship in Israel’s formative years and left a lineage integral to later temple service. Through Ithamar, Scripture teaches the enduring relevance of reverent obedience, competent stewardship, and generational faithfulness in the service of the living God.
Forms and Transliterations
אִ֨יתָמָ֥ר ׀ אִֽיתָמָ֔ר אִֽיתָמָֽר׃ אִֽיתָמָר֙ אִיתָמָ֑ר אִיתָמָ֖ר אִיתָמָ֛ר אִיתָמָֽר׃ איתמר איתמר׃ וְאִ֣יתָמָ֔ר וְאִיתָמָ֖ר וְאִיתָמָֽר׃ וּלְאִֽיתָמָ֨ר ׀ ואיתמר ואיתמר׃ ולאיתמר לְאִיתָמָֽר׃ לאיתמר׃ ’î·ṯā·mār ’îṯāmār ItaMar lə’îṯāmār lə·’î·ṯā·mār leitaMar ū·lə·’î·ṯā·mār ūlə’îṯāmār uleitaMar veitaMar wə’îṯāmār wə·’î·ṯā·mār
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