ITHAMAR ĭth’ ə mär (אִֽיתָמָֽר). He was the youngest of four sons of Aaron by Elisheba (Exod 6:23; Num 3:2; 1 Chron 6:3; 24:1), the other three being Eleazar, Nadab, and Abihu. Together with his three brothers, and Aaron their father, he was consecrated to the priesthood (Exod 28:1). His two elder brothers, Nadab and Abihu, were slain for offering strange fire (Lev 10; cf. Num 3:4; 26:61; 1 Chron 24:2).

During the wilderness wanderings he was leader over all the Levites (Exod 38:21), over the Gershonites (Num 4:28), and over the Merarites (4:33, 7:8). He founded a priestly family, to which Eli and his descendants belonged (1 Chron 24:4-6). According to Ezra 8:2 the family of Ithamar continued after the captivity.