Exodus 6:25
Aaron's son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These were the heads of the Levite families by their clans.
Aaron’s son Eleazar
The name "Eleazar" means "God has helped" in Hebrew. Eleazar was the third son of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and he played a significant role in the priesthood. After the death of his brothers Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar was appointed as the chief priest, succeeding his father Aaron. This transition signifies the continuity of the priestly line and the importance of maintaining the sanctity and order of worship as ordained by God. Eleazar's role underscores the theme of divine assistance and faithfulness, as his name suggests, reminding believers of God's continual help and presence in their lives.

married one of the daughters of Putiel
The identity of Putiel is not extensively detailed in the Bible, but the mention of his daughter marrying Eleazar highlights the importance of family lineage and alliances in biblical times. Marriages often served to strengthen tribal and familial bonds, ensuring the continuation of the covenant community. The name "Putiel" could suggest a connection to nobility or a person of significance, emphasizing the importance of Eleazar's marriage in maintaining the purity and distinction of the priestly line.

and she bore him Phinehas
Phinehas, whose name means "oracle" or "mouth of brass," is a significant figure in the history of Israel. He is known for his zealous action in Numbers 25, where he stopped a plague among the Israelites by taking decisive action against idolatry and immorality. Phinehas's actions earned him a covenant of peace and a perpetual priesthood, highlighting the importance of zeal for God's holiness and the defense of His commandments. His life serves as an example of righteous indignation and the blessings that follow obedience and courage in upholding God's standards.

These were the heads of the Levite families by their clans
This phrase emphasizes the organizational structure and leadership within the tribe of Levi. The Levites were set apart for religious duties and service in the tabernacle, and their leadership was crucial for maintaining the spiritual health of the nation. The mention of "heads" and "clans" indicates a well-defined hierarchy and the importance of family leadership in guiding the spiritual and communal life of Israel. This structure reflects God's order and design for His people, where leadership is both a responsibility and a service to the community, ensuring that worship and adherence to God's laws are upheld across generations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Eleazar
The son of Aaron, who served as a priest and later became the High Priest after Aaron's death. His role was crucial in maintaining the priestly lineage and duties.

2. Putiel
Although not much is known about Putiel, he is mentioned as the father-in-law of Eleazar, indicating a connection to the priestly family.

3. Phinehas
The son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, known for his zealousness for God's holiness, which is later highlighted in the Book of Numbers.

4. Levite Families
The Levites were the tribe set apart for religious duties and service in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. This verse highlights the lineage and leadership within the tribe.

5. Clans
The verse emphasizes the importance of family and clan structures within the Levite tribe, which were essential for organizing their service to God.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Godly Lineage
The passage highlights the significance of maintaining a godly heritage. Families should strive to pass down faith and values to future generations.

Zeal for God's Holiness
Phinehas' later actions remind us of the importance of being zealous for God's holiness in our lives, standing firm against sin and idolatry.

Leadership in Service
The Levite families were organized for service. This teaches us the value of structured leadership and dedicated service in the church.

Marriage and Family
Eleazar's marriage to a daughter of Putiel shows the importance of choosing a spouse who shares faith and values, contributing to a strong spiritual family foundation.

Faithfulness Across Generations
The continuity of the priestly line through Eleazar and Phinehas illustrates the impact of faithfulness across generations, encouraging us to be faithful in our own spiritual walk.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the lineage of Eleazar and Phinehas encourage us to think about our own spiritual heritage and legacy?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate zeal for God's holiness in our daily lives, similar to Phinehas?

3. How can the organization and leadership of the Levite families inform the way we structure service and leadership in our church communities?

4. What qualities should we look for in a spouse to ensure a strong spiritual foundation for our families, as seen in Eleazar's marriage?

5. How can we ensure that our faithfulness to God is passed down to future generations, as demonstrated by the priestly lineage in this passage?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 25
Phinehas is noted for his zealous action against idolatry and immorality, which stopped a plague among the Israelites. This event underscores his commitment to God's holiness.

Joshua 24
Eleazar's role in the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel shows his continued leadership and service to God and the people.

1 Chronicles 6
This chapter provides a genealogy of the Levites, including Eleazar and Phinehas, emphasizing the importance of their priestly lineage.
Shaken Faith, and an Unshaken PurposeJ. Orr Exodus 6:9-14, 28-30
A Panoramic Glance At HistoryJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 6:14-27
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 6:14-27
The Genealogical TableHenry, MatthewExodus 6:14-27
The Genealogy of the ChurchJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 6:14-27
The Genealogy of Moses and AaronJ. Orr Exodus 6:14-28
People
Aaron, Abiasaph, Abihu, Amminadab, Amram, Assir, Canaanitish, Carmi, Egyptians, Eleazar, Elisheba, Elkanah, Elzaphan, Enoch, Gershon, Hanoch, Hezron, Isaac, Israelites, Ithamar, Izhar, Jachin, Jacob, Jamin, Jemuel, Jochebed, Kohath, Korah, Korahites, Korhites, Levi, Levites, Libni, Mahali, Mahli, Merari, Mishael, Moses, Mushi, Naashon, Nadab, Nahshon, Nepheg, Ohad, Pallu, Phallu, Pharaoh, Phinehas, Putiel, Reuben, Saul, Shaul, Shimei, Shimi, Simeon, Uzziel, Zichri, Zithri, Zohar
Places
Canaan, Egypt
Topics
Aaron, Aaron's, Bare, Beareth, Birth, Bore, Clan, Daughters, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Families, Fathers, Heads, Households, Houses, Levite, Levites, Married, Order, Phinehas, Phin'ehas, Putiel, Pu'ti-el, Wife
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 6:25

     5157   head

Exodus 6:14-25

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
To the Saddest of the Sad
I often wonder what those preachers do who feel called to make up their message as they go on; for if they fail, their failure must be attributed in great measure to their want of ability to make up a moving tale. They have to spread their sails to the breeze of the age, and to pick up a gospel that comes floating down to them on the stream of time, altering every week in the year; and they must have an endless task to catch this new idea, or, as they put it, to keep abreast of the age. Unless, indeed,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

From Egypt to Sinai.
Ex. Chs. 1-19 Israel in Egypt. The length of time the Hebrews remained In Egypt is a perplexing question. Exodus 6:16-20 makes Moses the fourth generation from Levi (See Gen. 15:16; Num. 26:57-59). This would make it about 150 years. Gen. 15:13 predicts 400 years. Ex. 12:40 says they were there 430 years and Paul (Gal. 3:17) says 430 years from Abraham to Sinai. These apparently conflicting dates may be explained because of different methods of counting generations, probably based on long lives of
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

Fourth Day. Holiness and Revelation.
And when the Lord saw that Moses turned aside to see, He called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And He said, Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. And Moses hid his face, for He was afraid to look upon God.'--Ex. iii. 4-6. And why was it holy ground? Because God had come there and occupied it. Where God is, there is holiness; it is the presence of God makes holy. This is the
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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