אִיתָמָר
Ithamar, a son of Aaron
Definition
Ithamar was the fourth and youngest son of Aaron the high priest and Elisheba, making him a key figure in the Levitical priesthood (Exodus 6:23). He served as a priest alongside his brothers and, after the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, he and his brother Eleazar continued the priestly line (Leviticus 10:6, 12). His administrative role is highlighted when he is appointed overseer of the Gershonite and Merarite Levites, responsible for transporting the tabernacle (Numbers 4:28, 33), and he is later entrusted with accounting for the materials used in the sanctuary (Exodus 38:21).
Biblical Usage
The name Ithamar appears exclusively in the Pentateuch, specifically in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, reflecting his role in the establishment of Israel's worship system. His usage shifts from being listed as a son of Aaron (Exodus 6:23, 28:1) to taking on active priestly duties after the death of his older brothers (Leviticus 10:6, 12). Later, his role becomes administrative, overseeing Levitical clans and tabernacle logistics (Numbers 3:4, 4:28, 7:8).
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew elements 'I' (אִי H339), meaning 'coast' or 'island,' and 'tamar' (תָּמָר H8558), meaning 'palm tree.' Thus, the name likely signifies 'coast of the palm tree' or 'land of palms,' possibly indicating a place of abundance or beauty. It is a compound name reflecting a geographical or botanical metaphor common in Hebrew nomenclature.
Semantic Range
Ithamar's life illustrates God's faithfulness in maintaining the priestly covenant through a surviving lineage after judgment (Leviticus 10). His administrative assignments show that priestly service in Israel encompassed both sacred ritual and practical, logistical stewardship of God's dwelling place (Exodus 38:21, Numbers 4). Understanding his role enriches the reading of the Pentateuch by highlighting the division of labor and responsibility within the Levitical system, which was foundational for Israel's worship.
As a son of the high priest, Ithamar was born into the most privileged religious family in Israel. His name, likely signifying a fertile place, reflects the cultural practice of using meaningful, often nature-based names. His inheritance of priestly duties was entirely based on lineage, a central pillar of Israel's social and religious structure, where family identity dictated one's role in the community and before God.
Eleazar (ʼElʻāzār, H499) — Ithamar's older brother and fellow priest. Aaron (ʼAhărōn, H175) — their father, the first high priest. Nadab (Nādāb, H5070) — their older brother, a priest who died. Abihu (ʼĂbîyhû, H30) — their older brother, a priest who died.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →