Bible Encyclopedias

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Aaronite

(Heb. same as Aaron, used collectively), a designation of the descendants of Aaron, and therefore priests, who, to the number of 3700 fighting men, with Jehoiada the father of Benaiah at their head, joined David at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:27). Later on in the history (1 Chronicles 27:17) we find their chief was Zadok, who in the earlier narrative is distinguished as "a young man mighty of valor." They must have been an important family in the reign of David to be reckoned among the tribes of Israel. — Smith, s.v. (See AARON); (See PRIEST).