Lives of Scripture

Eleazar, Aaron's third son, became next in line for the priesthood after his two older brothers, Nadab and Abihu, were struck dead for offering "unauthorized fire" before the LORD (Leviticus 10:1-2; Numbers 3:2-4). Eleazar was given specific responsibilities over the tabernacle's furnishings and charge of the ashes of the red heifer used for purification (Numbers 4:16; 19:1-10). When Aaron's death approached, Moses took Aaron and Eleazar up Mount Hor, removed Aaron's priestly garments, and put them on Eleazar, transferring the high priesthood to him in Israel's full sight (Numbers 20:25-28). Eleazar assisted Moses in taking the second wilderness census, oversaw the division of plunder taken from Midian, and, after Moses's death, worked alongside Joshua to divide the promised land among the tribes by casting lots before the LORD (Numbers 26:1-4; 31:21-31; Joshua 14:1; 19:51). His own son Phinehas would later be commended by God for zealously stopping a plague brought on by Israel's idolatry at Baal-peor, a family legacy of decisive action for covenant faithfulness (Numbers 25:7-13). Eleazar died in old age and was buried in the hill country of Ephraim, closing out the priesthood's peaceful transition from the wilderness generation to the generation that would inherit the land (Joshua 24:33).