Izhar יִצְהָר
Son of Kohath, grandson of Levi; father of Korah.
Who is Izhar in the Bible?
Izhar was a Levite, the son of Kohath and grandson of Levi, whose lineage is recorded in Exodus 6:18 and 1 Chronicles 6:2, 18. He fathered Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri, and his descendants, known as the Izharites, formed one of the prominent clans of the Kohathites responsible for carrying and maintaining the sacred objects of the tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journey (Numbers 3:27). The Izharites later served important roles in both the tabernacle and temple, with some even functioning as officials and judges during King David's reign (1 Chronicles 26:29). Izhar's greatest historical significance stems from his son Korah, who led a major rebellion against Moses and Aaron that resulted in divine judgment (Numbers 16:1), making Izhar's family central to one of the Bible's most dramatic accounts of disobedience and consequence.
Biography
Izhar, also known as Amminadab, was a Levite, the son of Kohath and grandson of Levi (Exo. 6:18, 21; Num. 3:19; 1Ch. 6:2, 18, 38). He was the father of Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri (Exo. 6:21; 1Ch. 6:22). Izhar's descendants, the Izharites, were one of the clans of the Kohathites (Num. 3:27; 1Ch. 24:22; 26:23, 29).
The Kohathites, including the Izharites, were responsible for carrying the sacred objects of the tabernacle during Israel's journey in the wilderness (Num. 4:15, 18-20). They were also assigned duties in the tabernacle and, later, in the temple (1Ch. 6:33-38; 23:12-20; 24:20-31). Some of the Izharites served as officials and judges during King David's reign (1Ch. 26:29-30).
Izhar's most notable descendant was Korah, who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Num. 16:1). Despite Korah's rebellion, the Izharites continued to serve as Levites in Israel.
Family
Siblings
Offspring
- Korah Tribe of LeviAaron's adversaryLevite rebel leader; his descendants became temple servantsView full profile →
- Nepheg Tribe of JudahDavid's sonSon of King David, born in Jerusalem.View full profile →
- Zichri Tribe of LeviSon of JoramLevite, descendant of Moses, treasurerView full profile →
- Shelomith Tribe of LeviSon of IzharLevite descendant of IzharView full profile →
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study contentExodus 2 verses
- Exodus 6:18
"The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years."
Study Exodus → - Exodus 6:21
"The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri."
Study Exodus →
Numbers 3 verses
- Numbers 16:1
"Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted"
- Numbers 3:19
"The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel."
- Numbers 3:27
"From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites."
1 Chronicles 5 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:2
"The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel."
- 1 Chronicles 6:18
"The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel."
- 1 Chronicles 6:38
"the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel."
- 1 Chronicles 23:12
"The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—four in all."
- 1 Chronicles 23:18
"The sons of Izhar: Shelomith was the first."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יִצְהָר |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | יִצְהָר |
| Group | Hebrew | יִצְהָרִי |
| Named | Hebrew | עַמִּינָדָב |