Exodus 28:1

Take thou unto thee. Literally, “cause to draw near to thee.” Heretofore Moses had been the one and only medium of communication between God and the people. To Aaron his brother and to his brother’s sons were now to be given certain tasks that had been his. As the meekest of men (Numbers 12:3) Moses willingly surrendered his prerogatives, thus evincing a noble and godlike character (Leviticus 8:1-30; cf. John 3:30). He realized that with the giving of the law there arose the need for a separate priesthood; the establishment of the tabernacle called for it. With the oral proclamation of God’s law came also an increased consciousness of sin (Romans 3:20; 7:9). This called for a priesthood to mediate between sinners and the holy God (see Hebrews 2:17; 5:1-3), to serve as a link between the holy and the unholy. Also, the covenant made Israel “a kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:5, 6), and this priestly calling of the nation was to be expressed officially by the house of Aaron as the people’s representatives (Numbers 3:12; 8:17, 18). God’s desire in the erection of the tabernacle was that He might “dwell among” His people (Exodus 25:8), yet only those consecrated as priests to represent the people might approach the sacred presence within the sanctuary. Thus, when the high priest interceded with God on behalf of the people, he did so in their name.

Nadab and Abihu are coupled together, as are also Eleazar and Ithamar. This separation of the two pairs of brothers is probably due to the sin and early death of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1, 2). Nothing is known of Ithamar personally after the death of his older brothers (Leviticus 10:6, 12). Eleazar became high priest (Numbers 34:17; Joshua 14:1). The priestly family founded by Ithamar included Eli (1 Samuel 1:9; cf. 1 Kings 2:27 and 1 Chronicles 24:3, 6) and continued after the captivity (Ezra 8:2).