Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

Elisheba - The oath of the Lord. It is the same name as Elizabeth, so very common among Christians. She was of the royal tribe of Judah, and was sister to Nahshon, one of the princes; see Numbers 2:3.

Eleazar - He succeeded to the high priesthood on the death of his father Aaron, Numbers 20:25, etc.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And Aaron took him Elisheba,.... The same name we pronounce Elizabeth; and of this name was the wife of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, Luke 1:5, this woman Aaron took was

the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Naashon; a prince of the tribe of Judah, Numbers 7:12, her he took to wife; or married; for though intermarriages with the several tribes were not allowed, nor used in after times, that they might be kept distinct, and the inheritances also, yet the tribe of Levi often took wives of other tribes, because they had no inheritance, and were to have none in the land of Canaan, so that confusion in tribes and inheritance was not made hereby; and it is observable, that these marriages were frequently with the tribe of Judah, as signifying the union of the kingly and priestly offices in Christ, who sprung from the tribe of Judah:

and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar; the two first of these died by fire from heaven in their father's lifetime, for offering strange fire to the Lord, Leviticus 10:1. Eleazar succeeded his father in the priesthood, Numbers 20:26 and of the sons of Ithamar executing the priest's office, see 1 Chronicles 24:2.

Geneva Study Bible

(i) Who was a prince of Judah, (Numbers 1:7).

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Elisheba — that is, Elizabethan. These minute particulars recorded of the family of Aaron, while he has passed over his own, indicate the real modesty of Moses. An ambitious man or an impostor would have acted in a different manner.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Aminadab — A prince of the tribe of Judah. The Levites might marry into any tribe, there being no danger of confusion or loss of inheritance thereby.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Ver. 23. Elisheba.] Or, Elizabeth, a prince’s sister. [Numbers 2:3] Our English Elizabeth was by a French duchess said to be the most glorious and most happy woman that ever swayed sceptre.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Amminadab a prince of the tribe of Judah, Numbers 1:7 Numbers 2:3. Marriages were not yet confined to their own tribes; and when they were, the Levites seem to have had this privilege, that they might marry a daughter of any other tribe, because indeed the reason of that law did not concern them, there being no danger of confusion or loss of inheritance on their part. And especially there were many marriages made between the tribes of Judah and Levi, to signify that both were united in Christ, who was to be both king and priest. It is observable, that Moses is here silent in his own progeny, but gives a particular account of his brother’s, not only from his great humility and modesty, which shines forth in many other passages, but because it was of more concernment; and the honour of priesthood given to Aaron was to be hereditary, and peculiar to his seed, and therefore it was necessary they should be exactly known; whereas Moses’s honour and government was only personal, and did not pass to his children.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Nahason, prince of the tribe of Juda, Numbers i. 7. Observe the modesty of Moses, who passes over his own family almost in silence. (Menochius)

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Elisheba, [Septuagint, Elisabet] - i:e., Elizabeth. The minute particulars recorded of the family of Aaron, while he has passed over his own, indicts the real modesty of Moses. An ambitious man or an impostor would have acted in a different manner.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon.—Amminadab and Naashon were among the ancestors of David (Ruth 4:19-20; 1 Chronicles 2:10-15), and their names are consequently found in the genealogies of our Lord (Matthew 1:4; Luke 3:32-33). Naashon was “prince of Judah” at the time of the Exodus (Numbers 1:7; Numbers 1:16).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Elisheba

Luke 1:5

Amminadab

Numbers 1:7; 2:3; Ruth 4:19,20; 1 Chronicles 2:10; Matthew 1:4

Nadab

24:1,9; Leviticus 10:1,2; Numbers 3:2-4; 20:25; 26:60,61; 1 Chronicles 6:3; 24:1,2