Numbers Profiles

ELEAZAR

Numbers 20:25-29

An understudy must know the lead role completely and be willing to step into it at a moment’s notice. Eleazar was an excellent understudy, well trained for his eventual leading role. However, his moments in the spotlight were painful. On one occasion, he watched his two older brothers burn to death for failing to take God’s holiness seriously. Later, as his father was dying, he was made high priest, surely one of the most responsible—and therefore potentially most stressful—positions in Israel.

An understudy benefits from having both the script and a human model of the role. Ever since childhood, Eleazar had been able to observe Moses and Aaron. Now he could learn from watching Joshua. In addition, he had God’s laws to guide him as he worked as priest and adviser to Joshua.

Strengths and accomplishments	Succeeded his father, Aaron, as high priest Completed his father’s work by helping lead the people into the Promised Land Teamed up with Joshua Acted as God’s spokesman to the people
Lessons from his life	Concentrating on our present challenges and responsibilities is the best way to prepare for what God has planned for our future God’s desire is consistent obedience throughout our lives
Vital statistics	Where: Wilderness of Sinai, Promised Land Occupations: Priest and high priest Relatives: Father: Aaron. Brothers: Nadab, Abihu, and Ithamar. Aunt: Miriam. Uncle: Moses. Contemporaries: Joshua, Caleb
Key verses	“And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying, . . . Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor: and strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son” (Numbers 20:23–26).

Eleazar is mentioned in Exodus 6:23; Leviticus 10:16–20; Numbers 3:1–4; 4:16; 16:36–40; 20:25–29; 26:1–4, 63; 27:2, 15–23; 32:2; 34:17; Deuteronomy 10:6; Joshua 14:1; 17:4; 24:33.