Matthew 13:33

Matthew 13:33

Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

a. NLT: Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”

b. NIV: He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty poundsfn of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

c. YLT: Another simile spake he to them: 'The reign of the heavens is like to leaven, which a woman having taken, hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.'

d. Amplified Bible: He told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven (^[k]sour dough) which a woman took and covered over in three measures of meal orflour till all of it was leavened.

e. Wrrell Translation: Another parable He spake to them: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman, taking, hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”

1. “Another parable spake he unto them…”

a. another [243 * allos] [Strong: a primary word; "else," i.e. different (in many applications):--more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise).]

b. parable [3850 * parabole][Strong: a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage:--comparison, figure, parable, proverb.]

c. spake he [2980 * laleo] [Strong: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.]

d. unto them [846 * autos] [Strong:  from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

1). The Parable of the Leaven is found only here and Luke.

a). Luke 13:20, 21 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Luke 13:21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

2). The wisdom contained in the parables, the epistles, the whole of Scripture, the wisdom behind everything that God did was created before the earth was created and not shared with the angels.

a). 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1 Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

3). The reason Jesus taught in parables.

a. Matthew 13:10-17 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Matthew 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

2. “…The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven…”

a. the kingdom [932 * basileia] [Strong: from 935; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign.]

b. of heaven [3772 * ouranos] [Strong:  perhaps from the same as 3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky.]

c. is [2076 * esti] [Strong: third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

d. like [3664 * homoios] [Strong: from the base of 3674; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner.]

e. unto leaven [2219 * zume] [Strong: probably from 2204; ferment (as if boiling up):--leaven.]

1). Unger’s Bible Dictionary: Leaven…is symbolic or typical of evil, always having this implication in the Old Testament. In the New Testament its symbolic meaning is also clear. It is “malice and wickedness” as contrasted with “sincereity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). It represents evil doctrine (Matthew 16:12) in its three fold manifestations of Phariseeism, Sadduceeism and Herodianism (Matthew 16:6; Mark 8:15). Religious externalism constituted the leaven of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:14, 16, 28). A skeptical attitude toward the supernatural was the leaven of the Sadducees (Matthew 22:23, 29). The spirit of worldly compromise was the leaven of the Herodians (Matthew 22:16-21; Mark 3:6). The parable of the leaven “which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal until the whole was leavened.”

2). The leaven of the Pharisees was also teaching the commandments of men as doctrine, (Matthew 15:1-9).

3). C.I. Scofield: “Leaven is the principle of corruption working subtly; is invariably used in a bad sense..”

3. “…which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal…”

a. which [3739 * hos] [Strong:  including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. a woman [1135 * gune] [Strong: probably from the base of 1096; a woman; specially, a wife:--wife, woman.]

c. took [2983 * lambano] [Strong: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas 1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while 138 is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).]

d. and hid [1470 * ekgrupto] [Strong: from 1722 and 2928; to conceal in, i.e. incorporate with:--hid in.]

e. in [1519 * eis] [Strong:  a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

f. three [5140 * treis] [Strong: a primary (plural) number; "three":--three.]

g. measures [4568 * saton] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (5429); a certain measure for things dry:--measure.]

h. of meal [224 * aleuron] [Strong: from aleo (to grind); flour:--meal.]

1). The parable is concerning corruption in the kingdom of heaven and it is a woman hiding the leaven in the meal until the whole is corrupted. Leaven is identified as “malice and wickedness” by Paul and false doctrine by Jesus.

a). 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

b). Matthew 16:6-12 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Matthew 16:7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

Matthew 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Matthew 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Matthew 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Matthew 16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

2). Finis Jennings Dake: “All false teachings…seek to hide behind the Word of God.

4. “…till the whole was leavened.”

a. till [2193 * heos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place):--even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s).]

b. the whole [3650 * holos] [Strong: a primary word; "whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb:--all, altogether, every whit, + throughout, whole.]

c. was [3739 * hos] [Strong:  including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

d. leavened [2220 * zumoo] [Strong: from 2219; to cause to ferment:--leaven.]

1). False teaching in one form or another and in different degrees of seriousness can be found probably in every part of the church. Emphasis should be made that some false doctrine in more serious than others. Some false doctrine will not exclude its adherents out of heaven, but some are so severe that its adherents will not enter heaven.

 

Romans 7:14

Romans 7:14

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

a. NLT: So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.

b. NIV: We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

c. YLT: for we have known that the law is spiritual, and I am fleshly, sold by the sin;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin.

e. Worrell Translation: For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

1. “For we know that the law is spiritual…”

a. For [1063 * gar] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. we know [1492 * eido] [Strong: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot.]

c. that [3754 * hoti] [Strong: neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

d. the law [3551 * nomos] [Strong: from a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.]

e. is [2076 * esti] [Strong: third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

f. spiritual [4152 * pneumatikos][Strong:  non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious:--spiritual.][Thayer: relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ, that which possesses the nature of the rational soul, belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God, belonging to the Divine Spirit, of God the Holy Spirit, one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God, pertaining to the wind or breath; windy, exposed to the wind, blowing.]

1). The law is a spiritual thing. It was given by God, therefore it emanates from the spiritual as contrasted from the material, the carnal, the natural, even though it affects all of them.

2). The law is spiritual. Two verses previous Paul wrote that the law was good, just and holy.

a). Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

3). Even in unregenerate men under the Old Covenant, the law had a limited effect for good and helped man obey God.

a). Psalm 19:7-11 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

19:8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

4). It was not until the New Covenant was instituted, because of what Jesus did, that mankind has the opportunity presented in the gospel to be forgiven and delivered from sin.

a). Acts 13:38, 39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

2. “…but I am carnal, sold under sin.”

a. but [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. I [1473 * ego] [Strong: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me.]

c. am [1510 * eimi] [Strong: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic):--am, have been, X it is I, was.]

d. carnal [4559 * sarkikos] [Strong: from 4561; pertaining to flesh, i.e. (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate:--carnal, fleshly.]

e. sold [4097 * piprasko] [Strong: a reduplicated and prolonged form of prao prah'-o; (which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses) contracted from perao (to traverse; from the base of 4008); to traffic (by travelling), i.e. dispose of as merchandise or into slavery (literally or figuratively):--sell.]

f. under [5259 * hupo] [Strong: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.]

g. sin [266 * hamartia] [Strong: from 264; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).]

1). We were sold under sin when our first parents Adam and Eve sinned and ate of the tree God commanded them that if they ate of it they would “surely die”. 

a). Genesis 2:16, 17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

2). Death entered man’s existence because of his sin.

a). Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

b). Adam died spiritually first and died physically 930 years later, he died physically because he died spiritually first.

3). Through man’s one disobedience to God and obedience to the devil, man became a servant or slave to the devil.

a). Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or obedience unto righteousness.

4). Spiritual death entered the spirit of man and he became a servant to the devil, and unregenerate man has followed that ever since.

a). Ephesians 2:2, 3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

5). What follows in Romans 7:15-24 is a description of “the law of sin and death” that operates in every human being. We were sold into this condition by the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. When mankind sinned spiritual death entered into his spirit, “the law of sin and death” became part of man’s nature and he began to walk in bondage to the devil, the enemy became his master. We were sold into this condition by our first parents.

a). Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

b). 1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

Jeremiah 50:9

Jeremiah 50:9

For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.

1. “For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country…”

a. assembly [6951 * qahal][Strong: company, congregation, multitude, assembly]

b. great [1419 * gadowl][Strong:  great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent:--+ aloud, elder(-est), + exceeding(-ly), + far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, X sore, (X ) very.]

c. nations [1471 * gowy][Strong: (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.]

2.  “…and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken…”

a. array [6186 *arak][Strong: a primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications):--put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle), ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax, value.]

3. “…their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.”

a. arrows [2671 * chets][Strong: properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God) thunder-bolt; (by interchange for '`ets']

b. mighty [1368 * gibbowr][Strong: powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:-- champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man.]

c. expert [7919 * sakal][Strong: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent:--consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(- ly), guide wittingly.]

1). Smart Bombs change face of modern warfare. “By the time of the 1991 Persian Gulf war, laser-guided weapons were in widespread use and accounted for about one in ten bombs dropped by U.S. and coalition forces. In the ensuing years, the technology has advanced even more.

Current GPS guidance systems now allow long-range targeting of individual buildings. The streets of Baghdad today are pocked with razed structures whose neighbors stand unscathed on either side.” http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/02/0218_050218_tv_bombs.html

2). During the first Persian Gulf War of 1991 when America and an alliance of other nations liberated Kuwait from the invasion from Iraq, America used a host of weapons for the first time in a military conflict that was computer and laser guided. As a result, many speculated, including me that the verse of our text applied to the use of these weapons against Iraq/Babylon. Yes, they could be applied, but the first Gulf War ended and Kuwait was liberated, but Iraq was not destroyed. In the second Gulf War in 2003, the Iraqi government was removed by the U.S. and eventually replaced with Democratic elections, but again the nation was not destroyed. I personally believe that the weapons used in the two Gulf Wars could be applied to the above verse but the actual fulfillment of the whole prophetic scenario of Jeremiah 50, 51 will not be fulfilled until Revelation 18. The similarities of Jeremiah 51:60-64 with Revelation 18:21 are enough to establish it.

a). Jeremiah 51:60-64 So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon.

Jeremiah 51:61 And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;

Jeremiah 51:62 Then shalt thou say, O Lord, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.

Jeremiah 51:63 And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:

Jeremiah 51:64 And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

b). Revelation 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Exodus 28:1

Exodus 28:1

And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

a. NLT: “Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. ASV: And bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. YLT: 'And thou, bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from the midst of the sons of Israel, for his being priest to Me, even Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, sons of Aaron; [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Classic Amplified: From among the Israelites take your brother Aaron and his sons with him, that he may minister to Me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Stone Edition THE CHUMASH, Rabbinic Commentary: Now you, bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the Children of Israel, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Elazar and ithamar, the sons of Aaron, to minister to Me. [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE CHUMASH Copyright 1998, 2000 by MESORAH PUBLICATIONS, Ldt.]

f. The Israel Bible: You shall bring forward your brother Aharon, with  his sons, from among the Israelites, to serve Me as Kohanim: Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, Elazar and Itamar, the sons of Aharon.[The English Translation was adapted by Israel 365 from the JPS Tanakh. Copyright Ⓒ 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved.]

g. NIV: “Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

1. “And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office…”

a. And...thou [Strong:  859 'attah at-taw' or (shortened); aatta {at-taw'}; or wath {ath}; feminine (irregular) sometimes nattiy {at-tee'}; plural masculine attem {at- tem'}; feminine atten {at-ten'}; or oattenah {at-tay'naw}; or fattennah {at-tane'-naw}; a primitive pronoun of the second person; thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you:--thee, thou, ye, you.]

b. take [Strong: 7126 qarab kaw-rab' a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose:--(cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.]

c. unto [thee] [Strong: 413 'el ale (but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el}); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).]

d. [Strong: 853 'eth ayth apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).]

e. Aaron [Strong: 175 'Aharown a-har-one' of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses:--Aaron.]

f. [thy] brother [Strong: 251 'ach awkh a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.]

f. and [Strong: 853 'eth ayth apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).]

g. [his] sons [Strong: 1121 ben bane from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.]

h. with him [Strong: 854 'eth ayth probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix.]

i. from among [Strong: 8432 tavek taw'-vek from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre:--among(-st), X between, half, X (there- ,where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), X out (of), X through, X with(-in).]

j. [the] children [Strong: 1121 ben bane from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.]

k. [of] Israel [Strong: 3478 Yisra'el yis-raw-ale' from 8280 and 410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity: --Israel.]

l. [that he may] minister [Strong: 3547 kahan kaw-han' a primitive root, apparently meaning to mediate in religious services; but used only as denominative from 3548; to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia:--deck, be (do the office of a, execute the, minister in the) priest('s office).]

m. [Strong: 859 'attah at-taw' or (shortened); aatta {at-taw'}; or wath {ath}; feminine (irregular) sometimes nattiy {at-tee'}; plural masculine attem {at- tem'}; feminine atten {at-ten'}; or oattenah {at-tay'naw}; or fattennah {at-tane'-naw}; a primitive pronoun of the second person; thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you:--thee, thou, ye, you.]

n. [in the] priest’s office [Strong: 3547 kahan kaw-han' a primitive root, apparently meaning to mediate in religious services; but used only as denominative from 3548; to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia:--deck, be (do the office of a, execute the, minister in the) priest('s office).]

1). When Israel first arrived at Sinai to receive the Law, it was the will of God that they as a nation would be a kingdom of priests to Him.

a). Exodus 19:4-6 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

2). Israel, out of the wrong kind of fear rejected the privilege and instead chose to let someone else hear God and then tell the nation.

a). Exodus 20:18-20 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

20:20   And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

20:21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

3). So the priesthood was given to the family of Aaron and the tribe of Levi, of which Aaron was from, was appointed to minister in the Tabernacle.

a). Exodus 28:1

b). Numbers 18:20-23 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

18:21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

18:22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.

18:23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.

4). The original anointing of the priesthood followed the family line, just as today there are levels of generations in one family who are in the ministry.

2.   “…even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.”

a. [even[ Aaron [Strong: Aaron [Strong: 175 'Aharown a-har-one' of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses:--Aaron.]

b. Nadab [Strong: 5070 Nadab naw-dawb' from 5068; liberal; Nadab, the name of four Israelites:--Nadab.]

c. [and] Abihu [Strong: 30 'Abiyhuw' ab-ee-hoo' from 1 and 1931; father (i.e. worshipper) of Him (i.e. God); Abihu, a son of Aaron:--Abihu.]

d. Eleazar [Strong: 499 'El`azar el-aw-zawr' from 410 and 5826; God (is) helper; Elazar, the name of seven Israelites:--Eleazar.]

e. [and] Ithamar [Strong: 385 'Iythamar eeth-aw-mawr' from 339 and 8558; coast of the palm-tree; Ithamar, a son of Aaron:--Ithamar.]

f. Aaron's [Strong: 175 'Aharown a-har-one' of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses:--Aaron.]

g. sons [Strong: 1121 ben bane from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.]

1). Nadab and Abihu died in the incident recorded in Leviticus 10:1 (See notes Leviticus 10).

2). Unger’s Bible Dictionary: “After the death of nadab and Abihu without children (Leviticus 10:1; Numbers 3:4), Eleazar was appointed chief over the principal Levites, to have the oversight of those who had the charge of the sanctuary (Numbers 3:32)…With his brother Ithamar he ministered as priest during their father’s lifetime. Immediately before the death of Aaron Moses went with them both unto Mount Hor, where he invested Eleazar with the sacred garments, as the successor of Aaron in the office of high priest (Numbers 20:25-29)…He also assisted at the inauguration of Joshua (Numbers 27:18-23)…”