Aaron #40

Aaron is the older brother of Moses and Miriam, a member of the tribe of Levi, and the first high priest of Israel. He appears from the burning bush story through the wilderness journey, serving as Moses’ spokesman and then as the head of the priesthood that would lead Israel’s worship.

Biblical Significance

When Moses protests that he is slow of speech, God tells him that Aaron will speak for him: “He shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God” (Exodus 4:10-16). Aaron accompanies Moses to Pharaoh, and in several of the plagues, it is Aaron who stretches out his staff over the waters or the land (Exodus 7:1-2, 19; 8:5).

At Mount Sinai, God instructs Moses to set apart Aaron and his sons as priests and to make holy garments “for glory and for beauty,” including the breastpiece and the ephod (Exodus 28:1-4). In an extended ceremony, Moses washes, clothes, and anoints Aaron and consecrates his sons (Leviticus 8:1-13). After the first sacrifices, Aaron lifts his hands and blesses the people, and fire from the LORD consumes the offering on the altar (Leviticus 9:22-24). Two of his sons, Nadab and Abihu, later die for offering “strange fire” before the LORD, and Aaron responds with silence (Leviticus 10:1-3).

Failure and Restoration

Aaron’s most serious failure comes while Moses is on the mountain. When the people ask for gods to lead them, Aaron collects their gold earrings and fashions a golden calf, and he proclaims a feast to the LORD (Exodus 32:1-6). When Moses confronts him, Aaron blames the people and claims that the calf simply came out of the fire (Exodus 32:21-24). He is nevertheless not removed from office. Later, he and Miriam speak against Moses on account of his Cushite wife, and Miriam is struck with a skin disease, after which Aaron confesses and asks Moses to intercede (Numbers 12:1-15).

When Korah’s rebels challenge the priesthood, God confirms Aaron’s role by causing his staff, among twelve, to sprout, blossom, and bear almonds, and the staff is kept as a sign before the ark (Numbers 16-17). Aaron dies at age 123 on Mount Hor, after Moses removes his priestly garments and puts them on his son Eleazar (Numbers 20:22-29; 33:38-39).

Legacy

The Aaronic priesthood served as the pattern for Israel’s sacrificial worship for centuries. The book of Hebrews notes that a high priest is appointed by God as Aaron was, and argues that the priesthood of Jesus surpasses the Aaronic order, since his priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:1-4; 7:11-28). Aaron’s story reflects the ambiguity of many leaders in Scripture: chosen and honored, and yet capable of serious error. The blessing later given to the priests, “The LORD bless you and keep you,” is recorded in Numbers 6:24-26 as a formula Aaron and his sons were to use over Israel.