Exodus 6:23

Aaron took him Elisheba. The name of Aaron’s wife meant “my God has sworn.” Her father, Amminadab, mentioned here for the first time, was a descendant of Judah through Pharez and Hezron and was an ancestor of Jesus (see 1 Chronicles 2:3-10; Matthew 1:4). Amminadab means “my people is willing.”

Naashon. A transliteration of Nachshon, from the root nachash, “serpent.” A nachshon was an “enchanter,” that is, one who made use of serpents as a means of divination. Naashon was at this time “captain of the children of Judah” (Numbers 2:3).

She bare him. On the fate of Aaron’s two eldest sons, who became the first priests under the Levitical law of Sinai, see Leviticus 10:1, 2. Nadab means “he is willing,” and Abihu, “my father is he.”

Eleazar. Eleazar, meaning “God has helped,” became high priest upon the death of Aaron (Numbers 20:23-28), and the high priestly office was perpetuated through his descendants (1 Chronicles 6:4-15). His death is related in Joshua 24:33.

Ithamar. The meaning of the name of Aaron’s youngest son is uncertain. Like Aaron’s other sons, Ithamar became a priest, and was charged with the duty of recording the freewill offerings of the people toward the building of the tabernacle (Exodus 28:1; 38:21).