Izhar

Izhar (meaning oil or anointed, perhaps reflecting the shining quality of oil) was one of the four sons of Kohath and grandson of Levi (Exodus 6:18, 21; Numbers 3:19). His brothers were Amram, Hebron, and Uzziel. Amram's line produced Moses and Aaron; Izhar's line produced Korah. The Izharite family was assigned specific duties in the transport and care of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:1–20), carrying the holy furnishings covered in their prescribed wrappings.

Izhar's prominence in the genealogical record is partly defined by his most significant descendant: Korah son of Izhar, who led the rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Numbers 16:1). The Izharite connection to the Korahite rebellion marks the family line with both honor (Levitical service) and notoriety (covenantal mutiny). Despite this, the sons of Korah survived the judgment (Numbers 26:11) and became a distinguished guild of temple musicians and gatekeepers under David and Solomon — the Korahite psalms (Psalms 42, 44–49, 84–85, 87–88) bearing their name.