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(Heb. Ithamar', àַéúָîָø , palm-isle; but according to Furst, not high, i.e. little; Sept. É᾿èÜìáñ ; Josephus É᾿èÜìáñïò , Ant. 8, 1, 3), the fourth and youngest son of Aaron (1Ch_6:3). B.C. 1658. He was consecrated to the priesthood along with his brothers (Exo_6:23; Num_3:2-3); and after the death of Nadab and Abihu (Lev_10:1 sq.), as they left no children, he and Eleazar alone remained to discharge the priestly functions (Lev_10:6; Lev_10:12; Num_3:4; Num_26:60 sq.; 1Ch_24:2). Nothing is individually recorded of him, except that the property of the tabernacle was placed under his charge (Exo_38:21), and that he superintended all matters connected with its removal by the Levitical sections of Gershon and Merari (Num_4:28). The sacred utensils and their removal were entrusted to his elder brother Eleazar, whose family was larger than that of Ithamar (1Ch_24:4). Ithamar, with his descendants, occupied the position of common priests till the high-priesthood passed into his family in the person of Eli, under circumstances of which we are ignorant. SEE ELI.
Abiathar, whom Solomon deposed, was the last high-priest of that line, and the pontificate then reverted to the elder line of Eleazar in the person of Zadok (1Ki_2:27). SEE HIGH-PRIEST.
The traditionary tomb of Ithamar is still shown near that of his brother Eleazar in the hill of Phinehas (Schwarz, Palest. p. 151). A priest by the name of Daniel, of his posterity, returned from Babylon. (Ezr_8:2; 1Es_8:29).