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Aaron

maleExodus

Meaning: “Exalted; mountain of strength

The brother of Moses and Israel’s first high priest, who spoke for Moses before Pharaoh and ministered at the tabernacle.

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Biography

Aaron, the elder brother of Moses, became the first high priest of Israel and the head of the priestly line that bears his name.

Spokesman for Moses

When Moses pleaded that he was "slow of speech," God appointed Aaron to be his mouth: "he shall be thy spokesman unto the people" (Exodus 4:16). Aaron stood with Moses before Pharaoh, and his rod became a sign in the plagues (Exodus 7:10).

The golden calf

Aaron's life also shows human weakness. While Moses was on Sinai, the people pressed Aaron, and he fashioned the golden calf (Exodus 32:4), a grievous lapse that Moses had to intercede over. Yet God's mercy and the people's need for a mediator prevailed.

The high priesthood

God consecrated Aaron and his sons as priests, clothing him in garments "for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2). When his priesthood was challenged, God vindicated him by causing Aaron's rod to bud (Numbers 17:8). His sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar continued — though Nadab and Abihu died for offering "strange fire" (Leviticus 10:1–2). Aaron died on Mount Hor at 123 (Numbers 33:39); Hebrews contrasts his temporary priesthood with the eternal priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 7:11).

Life Timeline

1446 BC

Appointed spokesman for Moses before Pharaoh

Exodus 4:16
1446 BC

Makes the golden calf at the people’s demand

Exodus 32:4
1445 BC

Consecrated as Israel’s first high priest

Leviticus 8:12
1407 BC

Dies on Mount Hor at the age of 123

Numbers 33:39

Family Tree

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Themes & lessons from Aaron

Biblical themes that run through the passages where Aaron appears.

Aaron4×Types of Christ2×Abihu1×Almond Tree1×Desert, Journey of Israel Through The1×Excuses1×High Priest, the1×Hor1×Idolatry1×Melchizedek1×Ministers1×Miracles1×Miracles Wrought Through Servants of God1×Molding1×Offence1×Quotations and Allusions1×Tabernacle1×Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God1×

People they appear with

Nadab1×
Abihu1×
Eleazar1×
Ithamar1×
Melchizedek1×

Places in their story

Egypt1×
Mount Hor1×

Things in their story

The Golden Calf1×
The Holy Anointing Oil1×
The Tabernacle1×
Aaron’s Rod1×

Scripture Appearances

8 verses in 4 books
Exodus4 verses

Exodus 4:14

And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

Exodus 7:10

And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

Exodus 28:1

And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

Exodus 32:4

And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Leviticus1 verse

Leviticus 8:12

And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

Numbers2 verses

Numbers 17:8

And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

Numbers 33:39

And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor.

Hebrews1 verse

Hebrews 7:11

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Frequently asked about Aaron

Who was Aaron in the Bible?

The brother of Moses and Israel’s first high priest, who spoke for Moses before Pharaoh and ministered at the tabernacle.

What does the name Aaron mean?

The name Aaron means “Exalted; mountain of strength”.

What did Aaron do in the Bible?

Aaron served as high priest, spokesman, of the tribe of Levi.

Who were Aaron's parents?

Aaron was the child of Amram, Jochebed.

Where does Aaron appear in the Bible?

Aaron is mentioned 8 times across 4 books: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Hebrews.

What can we learn from Aaron?

The story of Aaron touches on themes of aaron, types of christ, abihu, almond tree — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Aaron's life.

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