Izhar
Izhar (or Amminadab), son of Kohath and father of Korah, was a Levite.
Biography
Izhar was the second son of Kohath, himself a son of Levi, placing Izhar among the most sacred lineages of ancient Israel (Exodus 6:18; Numbers 3:19). He is also identified by an alternate name, Amminadab, in some textual traditions (1 Chronicles 6:22). As the father of Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri, Izhar occupies a pivotal position in Levitical genealogy. His family line, the Izharites, was formally recognized as a distinct Levitical clan with specific duties in the service of the tabernacle. Izhar lived during Israel's sojourn in Egypt and the early wilderness period, when the foundations of Israel's priestly and worship structures were being established under Moses and Aaron.
Significance
Izhar's most enduring biblical legacy is as the father of Korah, whose notorious rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16) stands as one of Scripture's starkest warnings against unauthorized ambition in sacred service. Yet Izhar himself is remembered as a faithful link in the Levitical chain. His lineage illustrates that godly heritage does not guarantee the choices of one's offspring, a sobering reminder that each generation must individually embrace obedience to God. The Izharite clan continued to serve faithfully in temple worship, demonstrating that the sins of one member do not nullify an entire family's covenantal calling.
Verse Appearances (14)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]