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Joshua 24:33

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And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill [that pertained to] Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.

And Eleazar {H499} the son {H1121} of Aaron {H175} died {H4191}; and they buried {H6912} him in a hill {H1389} that pertained to Phinehas {H6372} his son {H1121}, which was given {H5414} him in mount {H2022} Ephraim {H669}.

Finally, El'azar the son of Aharon died; and they buried him on the hill belonging to Pinchas his son, which had been given to him in the hills of Efrayim.

Eleazar son of Aaron also died, and they buried him at Gibeah, which had been given to his son Phinehas in the hill country of Ephraim.

And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in the hill of Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill-country of Ephraim.

Commentary

Joshua 24:33 concludes the book of Joshua, marking the peaceful passing of Eleazar, the High Priest, and the son of Aaron. This verse, along with the preceding accounts of Joshua’s death and the burial of Joseph’s bones, brings a significant era in Israel’s history to a close, symbolizing the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring His people into the Promised Land and establish them there.

Context

This verse serves as an epilogue to the book of Joshua, immediately following the account of Joshua's death and burial (Joshua 24:29-30) and the burial of Joseph's bones (Joshua 24:32). Eleazar was a prominent figure, having succeeded his father Aaron as High Priest (Numbers 20:28). He served faithfully alongside Joshua in the conquest and division of the land of Canaan, as seen in Joshua 14:1. His death signifies the passing of the last major leader from the generation that experienced the Exodus and the initial settlement in the Promised Land, ushering in the period of the Judges.

Key Themes

  • End of an Era: The death of Eleazar, following Joshua, profoundly marks the conclusion of the foundational period of Israel's history—the Exodus, wilderness wandering, and conquest. It closes the chapter on the direct, divinely appointed leadership of figures who had personally interacted with Moses and God's miraculous provision.
  • Continuity of Priesthood: The mention of Eleazar's son, Phinehas, highlights the continuation of the Aaronic priesthood. Phinehas himself was a zealous priest, known for his actions in Numbers 25:7-13, which secured a perpetual covenant of peace and priesthood for his line. This emphasizes God's faithfulness in maintaining His ordained structures for His people.
  • Fulfillment of Promise: The peaceful burial of these key figures in the land they inherited underscores the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—that their descendants would possess the land of Canaan.
  • Transition in Leadership: With the passing of Joshua and Eleazar, Israel moved into a new phase where leadership would be less centralized and more regional, setting the stage for the period described in the book of Judges.

Significance and Application

Joshua 24:33, though brief, carries deep significance. It reminds us that even great leaders and pivotal eras come to an end. However, God's purposes and His covenant promises endure through generations. For believers today, this verse offers several reflections:

  • God's Faithfulness: Just as God faithfully completed His promises to Israel by bringing them into the land and establishing them, He remains faithful to His promises to us.
  • Succession and Legacy: The orderly succession of Eleazar by Phinehas teaches us about the importance of preparing future generations for leadership and ministry. Our work for God is part of a larger, ongoing narrative that extends beyond our individual lives.
  • The Cycle of Life: Like all people, even the most revered biblical figures faced death. This serves as a sober reminder of our mortality and the brevity of life, encouraging us to live faithfully and purposefully during our time on earth.

This concluding verse of Joshua therefore acts as both an epitaph for a generation of heroes and a bridge to the unfolding history of Israel, rooted in God's unwavering faithfulness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 6:25 (3 votes)

    And Eleazar Aaron's son took him [one] of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these [are] the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.

  • Joshua 22:13 (3 votes)

    And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,

  • Isaiah 57:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart: and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come].

  • Isaiah 57:2 (2 votes)

    He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, [each one] walking [in] his uprightness.

  • Psalms 49:10 (2 votes)

    For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

  • Numbers 3:32 (2 votes)

    And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest [shall be] chief over the chief of the Levites, [and have] the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.

  • Zechariah 1:5 (2 votes)

    Your fathers, where [are] they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?