The Exodus and the wilderness · c. 1530-1406 BC
Aaron in the Bible
The first high priest. Name meaning: Meaning uncertain: Scripture does not explain this name, unlike that of Moses
Moses’ older brother, Aaron is his spokesman before Pharaoh, then Israel’s first high priest and the ancestor of every legitimate priest. A man of intercession, he also has his dark hours: the golden calf, the criticism of Moses, the disobedience at Meribah. His imperfect priesthood points ahead to the perfect and eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ (Heb 5:4-5; 7:23-25).
Key moments
- He meets Moses in the wilderness Exodus 4:27
- His rod swallows up the magicians’ rods Exodus 7:12
- He holds up Moses’ hands Exodus 17:12
- He makes the golden calf Exodus 32:4
- Anointed as high priest Leviticus 8:12
- “Aaron held his peace” Leviticus 10:3
- He stops the plague, standing between the dead and the living Numbers 16:48
- Dies on Mount Hor at 123 Numbers 20:28
Strengths
- Eloquence
- Servant spirit
- Intercession
- Faithfulness to the priesthood
- Submission in trials
Weaknesses
Under pressure from the people, Aaron makes the golden calf, then clumsily justifies himself instead of owning his sin (Exod 32:4, 22-24). He joins Miriam in a jealous criticism of Moses (Num 12:1-2) and shares in the disobedience at Meribah (Num 20:12, 24).
Lessons for today
- A leader who yields to the crowd instead of standing firm can lead a whole people into sin (Exod 32:1-6).
- Supporting another servant of God is a ministry too: Aaron held up Moses’ hands until the victory (Exod 17:12).
- We serve God according to his Word, not our own ideas: his holiness is not negotiable (Lev 10:1-3).
- In Jesus we have a perfect high priest who always lives to intercede for us (Heb 7:25).
And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
People around Aaron
- Moses — Younger brother
- Miriam — Sister, a prophetess
- Elisheba — Wife, sister of Nahshon
- Nadab and Abihu — Eldest sons, struck down for offering strange fire
- Eleazar — Son and successor in the priesthood
- Jesus Christ — The perfect high priest, after the order of Melchizedek
Stories with Aaron
Quiz: how well do you know Aaron?
What was Aaron’s relationship to Moses?
Jochebed “bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister”: Aaron and Moses were born to the same parents. Numbers 26:59
What did Aaron make while Moses was slow to come down from the mountain?
Aaron took the people’s golden earrings, cast the gold in a mold, and made “a molten calf.” The bronze serpent would be Moses’ work. Exodus 32:1–4
What service did God consecrate Aaron and his sons to?
God told Moses to take Aaron and his sons “that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.” Exodus 28:1
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