Difference between revisions of "Aaron"

<p> The son of [[Amram]] and Jochabed, of the tribe of Levi, and brother of [[Moses]] and Miriam, <span> [[Exodus]] 6:20 </span> ; born about the year B. C. 1574. [[He]] was three years older than Moses, <span> Exodus 7:7 </span> and was the spokesman and assistant of the latter in bringing [[Israel]] out of Egypt, <span> Exodus 4:16 </span> . [[His]] wife was Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab; and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. He was 83 years old when [[God]] summoned him to join Moses in the desert near Horeb. [[Cooperating]] with his brother in the exodus from Egypt, <span> Exodus 4:1-16:36 </span> , he held up his hands in the battle with Amalek, <span> Exodus 17:1-16 </span> ; and ascended [[Mount]] [[Sinai]] with him to see the glory of God, <span> Exodus 24:1,2,9-11 </span> . </p> <p> Aaron's chief distinction consisted in the choice of him and his male posterity for the priesthood. He was consecrated the first high priest by God's directions, <span> Exodus 28:1-29:46 </span> <span> [[Leviticus]] 8:1-36 </span> ; and was afterwards confirmed in his office by the destruction of [[Korah]] and his company, by the staying of the plague at his intercession, and by the budding of his rod, <span> [[Numbers]] 16:1-17:13 </span> . He was faithful and self-sacrificing in the duties of his office, and meekly "held his peace" when his sons [[Nadab]] and [[Abihu]] were slain, <span> Leviticus 10:1 </span> - <span> 3 </span> . [[Yet]] he fell sometimes into grievous sins: he made the golden calf at Sinai, <span> Exodus 32:1-22 </span> ; he joined [[Miriam]] in sedition against Moses, <span> Numbers 12:1-16 </span> ; and with Moses disobeyed God at Kadesh, <span> Numbers 20:8-12 </span> . God, therefore did not permit him to enter the promised land; but he died on Mount Hor, in Edom, in the fortieth year after leaving Egypt, at the age of about 123 years, <span> Numbers 20:22-29 </span> <span> 33:39 </span> . [[In]] <span> [[Deuteronomy]] 10:6 </span> , he is said to have died at Mosera, which was probably the station in the valley west of Mount Hor, whence he ascended into the mount. The Arabs still pretend to show his tomb on the mount, and highly venerate it. In his office as high priest, [[Aaron]] was an eminent type of Christ, being "called of God," and anointed; bearing the names of the tribes on his breast; communicating God's will by [[Urim]] and Thummim; entering the Most [[Holy]] place on the [[Day]] of Atonement, "not without blood;" and interceding for and blessing the people of God. [[See]] <a> PRIEST </a> . </p>

<p> [[Aaron]] had the distinctive privilege of being Moses' close associate and also the one selected as the first high priest of God's people. [[He]] and the firstborn son of each generation of his lineage were dedicated in a special anointing ceremony to officiate before [[God]] and on behalf of God's people as high priests. </p> <p> Aaron, the first priest of ancient Israel, was the older brother of Moses. [[His]] parents [[Amram]] and [[Jochebed]] were [[Kohathites]] of the tribe of Levi. [[Two]] aspects of Aaron's earlier years provided a matrix out of which he responded to God's call to help [[Moses]] when he returned to Egypt. First, Aaron was committed to the God of the “fathers”—Abraham, Isaac, and [[Jacob]] ( <span> [[Exodus]] 3:1-6 </span> ). Second, he understood that God had made a covenant with [[Abraham]] that included him and the people of Israel. </p> <p> <i> Pre-Sinai </i> . Aaron agreed to help his brother Moses in the cause of seeking the release of his people from bondage. He and Moses were Yahweh's human instruments, carrying out Yahweh's mighty, unprecedented salvation-acts. </p> <p> First, he accepted God's call to be Moses' mouthpiece before [[Pharaoh]] ( <span> Exodus 4:10-17 </span> ; <span> 5:1-13 </span> ; <span> 6:10-13 </span> ; <span> 6:28-7:7 </span> ), a risky assignment. Both he and Moses were to be Yahweh's messengers in a hostile, polytheistic setting. </p> <p> Second, as Moses' prophet ( <span> Exodus 7:1 </span> ) he was an important proclaimer of God's word to Pharaoh and the other Egyptians. He fulfilled his priestly role by serving as mediator and intercessor on behalf of the people of Israel. </p> <p> Third, like Moses he was moved by the [[Spirit]] of God and was used to effect miracles a number of times on the way to Sinai. </p> <p> <i> At [[Sinai]] </i> . God graciously granted both Moses and Aaron new revelation during Israel's encampment at Sinai. </p> <p> First, they were granted an unparalleled privilege. Moses and Aaron were allowed to enter into God's holy presence on Sinai ( <span> Exodus 19:24 </span> ; <span> 24:9-10 </span> ). </p> <p> Second, Aaron and Moses were leader-participants in the covenant [[Yahweh]] made between himself and the people of Israel. </p> <p> Third, Yahweh delivered specific instructions to Aaron and Moses at Sinai about how they were to lead [[Israel]] to become his holy nation and kingdom of priests. </p> <p> <i> The [[Break]] in [[Loyalty]] </i> . Aaron was directly responsible for a grave offense against God when Moses was on [[Mount]] Sinai receiving the written law of Israel ( <span> Exodus 32:1-10 </span> ). He gave in to the demands of the people, collecting the necessary materials and supervising the making of a golden calf. He then told the people, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." Aaron then set up an altar and proceeded to lead the people in worshiping the calf. </p> <p> Aaron acted against what he knew God wanted. [[Perhaps]] he had not completely detached himself from the Apis-bull worship of [[Egypt]] or from some insidious feature of [[Baal]] worship present in Egypt. [[In]] spite of his sin, Aaron was restored to his position of high priest. This is a most remarkable incident demonstrating the grace and compassion of God. </p> <p> <i> High [[Priest]] of God Most High </i> . Aaron was duly attired and dedicated as God's priest ( <span> [[Leviticus]] 8-9 </span> ). He ministered before Yahweh, whose presence-cloud dwelt above the mercy seat over the ark of the covenant in the Most [[Holy]] [[Place]] of the tabernacle ( <span> Exodus 40:38 </span> ). </p> <p> Aaron was chief as he ministered with other priests in presenting offerings and sacrifices to Yahweh for himself and for the people of Israel. He was an intercessor and mediator before Yahweh among his people. His priestly vestments, especially the ephod and breastplate adorned with precious stones inscribed with the names of the tribes, emphasized in a special way this ministry before God on behalf of the people. </p> <p> Harvey E. Finley </p> <p> <i> [[See]] also </i> <a> [[Offerings]] and [[Sacrifices]] </a> ; <a> Priest, [[Priesthood]] </a> </p> <p> <i> Bibliography </i> . W. F. Albright, <i> History, [[Archaeology]] and [[Christian]] [[Humanism]] </i> ; O. T. Allis, <i> ZPEB, </i> 1:1-4; B. S. Childs, <i> The [[Book]] of Exodus </i> ; L. G. Cox, <i> Exodus </i> ; C. F. H. Henry, <i> God Who Speaks and Shows </i> ; J. P. Hyatt, <i> Exodus </i> ; C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, <i> The [[Pentateuch]] </i> ; D. F. Kinlaw, <i> Leviticus </i> . </p>

<span> [[Exodus]] 6:20 </span> <span> 1 [[Chronicles]] 2:10 </span> <span> Exodus 4:14,27-30 </span> <p> When the ransomed tribes fought their first battle with [[Amalek]] in Rephidim, [[Moses]] stood on a hill overlooking the scene of the conflict with the rod of [[God]] in his outstretched hand. [[On]] this occasion he was attended by [[Aaron]] and Hur, his sister's husband, who held up his wearied hands till [[Joshua]] and the chosen warriors of [[Israel]] gained the victory (17:8-13). </p> <p> Afterwards, when encamped before Sinai, and when Moses at the command of God ascended the mount to receive the tables of the law, Aaron and his two sons, [[Nadab]] and Abihu, along with seventy of the elders of Israel, were permitted to accompany him part of the way, and to behold afar off the manifestation of the glory of Israel's God ( <span> Exodus 19:24 </span> ; <span> 24:9-11 </span> ). While Moses remained on the mountain with God, Aaron returned unto the people; and yielding through fear, or ignorance, or instability of character, to their clamour, made unto them a golden calf, and set it up as an object of worship ( <span> Exodus 32:4 </span> ; <span> [[Psalm]] 106:19 </span> ). On the return of Moses to the camp, Aaron was sternly rebuked by him for the part he had acted in this matter; but he interceded for him before God, who forgave his sin ( <span> [[Deuteronomy]] 9:20 </span> ). </p> <p> On the mount, Moses received instructions regarding the system of worship which was to be set up among the people; and in accordance therewith Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priest's office ( <span> [[Leviticus]] 8 </span> ; <span> 9 </span> ). Aaron, as high priest, held henceforth the prominent place appertaining to that office. </p> <p> When Israel had reached Hazeroth, in "the wilderness of Paran," Aaron joined with his sister [[Miriam]] in murmuring against Moses, "because of the [[Ethiopian]] woman whom he had married," probably after the death of Zipporah. But the [[Lord]] vindicated his servant Moses, and punished Miriam with leprosy ( <span> [[Numbers]] 12 </span> ). Aaron acknowledged his own and his sister's guilt, and at the intercession of Moses they were forgiven. </p> <p> [[Twenty]] years after this, when the children of Israel were encamped in the wilderness of Paran, Korah, Dathan, and [[Abiram]] conspired against Aaron and his sons; but a fearful judgment from God fell upon them, and they were destroyed, and the next day thousands of the people also perished by a fierce pestilence, the ravages of which were only stayed by the interposition of Aaron ( <span> Numbers 16 </span> ). That there might be further evidence of the divine appointment of Aaron to the priestly office, the chiefs of the tribes were each required to bring to Moses a rod bearing on it the name of his tribe. And these, along with the rod of Aaron for the tribe of Levi, were laid up overnight in the tabernacle, and in the morning it was found that while the other rods remained unchanged, that of Aaron "for the house of Levi" budded, blossomed, and yielded almonds ( <span> Numbers 17:1-10 </span> ). This rod was afterwards preserved in the tabernacle ( <span> Hebrews 9:4 </span> ) as a memorial of the divine attestation of his appointment to the priesthood. </p> <p> Aaron was implicated in the sin of his brother at [[Meribah]] ( <span> Numbers 20:8-13 </span> ), and on that account was not permitted to enter the [[Promised]] Land. When the tribes arrived at [[Mount]] Hor, "in the edge of the land of Edom," at the command of God Moses led Aaron and his son [[Eleazar]] to the top of that mountain, in the sight of all the people. There he stripped Aaron of his priestly vestments, and put them upon Eleazar; and there Aaron died on the top of the mount, being 123 years old ( <span> Numbers 20:23-29 </span> . [[Compare]] <span> Deuteronomy 10:6 </span> ; <span> 32:50 </span> ), and was "gathered unto his people." The people, "even all the house of Israel," mourned for him thirty days. [[Of]] Aaron's sons two survived him, Eleazar, whose family held the high-priesthood till the time of Eli; and Ithamar, in whose family, beginning with Eli, the high-priesthood was held till the time of Solomon. Aaron's other two sons had been struck dead ( <span> Leviticus 10:1,2 </span> ) for the daring impiety of offering "strange fire" on the alter of incense. </p> <p> The Arabs still show with veneration the traditionary site of Aaron's grave on one of the two summits of Mount Hor, which is marked by a [[Mohammedan]] chapel. [[His]] name is mentioned in the Koran, and there are found in the writings of the rabbins many fabulous stories regarding him. </p> <p> [[He]] was the first anointed priest. His descendants, "the house of Aaron," constituted the priesthood in general. [[In]] the time of [[David]] they were very numerous ( <span> 1 Chronicles 12:27 </span> ). The other branches of the tribe of [[Levi]] held subordinate positions in connection with the sacred office. Aaron was a type of [[Christ]] in his official character as the high priest. His priesthood was a "shadow of heavenly things," and was intended to lead the people of Israel to look forward to the time when "another priest" would arise "after the order of Melchizedek" ( <span> Hebrews 6:20 </span> ). (See <a> MOSES </a> ) </p>

<p> <span> Aaron. </span> <span> (a teacher, </span> or <span> lofty). </span> The son of [[Amram]] and Jochebed, and the older brother of [[Moses]] and Miriam. <span> [[Numbers]] 26:59 </span> ; <span> Numbers 33:39 </span> . (B.C. 1573). [[He]] was a Levite, and is first mentioned in <span> [[Exodus]] 4:14 </span> . He was appointed by <span> [[Jehovah]] </span> to be the interpreter, <span> Exodus 4:16 </span> , of his brother Moses, who was "slow of speech;" and accordingly he was not only the organ of communication with the [[Israelites]] and with Pharaoh, <span> Exodus 4:30 </span> ; <span> Exodus 7:2 </span> , but also the actual instrument of working most of the miracles of the Exodus. <span> Exodus 7:19 </span> , etc. </p> <p> [[On]] the way to [[Mount]] Sinai, during the battle with Amalek, [[Aaron]] with [[Hur]] stayed up the weary hands of Moses when they were lifted up for the victory of Israel. <span> Exodus 17:9 </span> . He is mentioned as dependent upon his brother and deriving all his authority from him. </p> <p> Left, on Moses' departure into Sinai, to guide the people, Aaron is tried for a moment on his own responsibility, and he fails from a weak inability to withstand the demand of the people for visible "gods to go before them," by making an image of <span> Jehovah </span> , in the well-known form of [[Egyptian]] idolatry (Apis or Mnevis). He repented of his sin, and Moses gained forgiveness for him. <span> Exodus 9:20 </span> . Aaron was not consecrated by Moses to the new office of the high priesthood. <span> Exodus 29:9 </span> . </p> <p> From this time, the history of Aaron is almost entirely that of the priesthood, and its chief feature is the great rebellion of [[Korah]] and the Levites. Leaning, as he seems to have done, wholly on Moses, it is not strange that he should have shared his sin at [[Meribah]] and its punishment. <span> [[See]] </span> <a> Moses </a> <span> . </span> <span> Numbers 20:10-12 </span> . </p> <p> Aaron's death seems to have followed very speedily. It took place on Mount Hor, after the transference of his robes and office to Eleazar. <span> Numbers 20:28 </span> . This mount is still called the "Mountain of Aaron." <span> See </span> <a> [[Hor]] </a> <span> . </span> </p> <p> The wife of Aaron was Elisheba, <span> Exodus 6:23 </span> , and the two sons who survived him, [[Eleazar]] and Ithamar. The high priesthood descended to the former, and to his descendants until the time of Eli, who, although of the house of Ithamar, received the high priesthood and transmitted it to his children; with them it continued till the accession of Solomon, who took it from [[Abiathar]] and restored it to [[Zadok]] (of the house of Eleazar). <span> See </span> <a> Abiathar </a> <span> . </span> </p>

<p> <translit> âr´un </translit> , sometimes pronounced <translit> ar´on </translit> ( <span> אהרון </span> , <i> <translit> 'ahărōn </translit> </i> <links> - S </links> eptuagint <span> Ἀαρών </span> <i> <translit> Aarō̇n </translit> </i> , meaning uncertain: [[Gesenius]] suggests "mountaineer"; Fürst, "enlightened"; others give "rich," "fluent." Cheyne mentions Redslob's "ingenious conjecture" of <i> <translit> hā'ārōn </translit> </i> - "the ark" - with its mythical, priestly significance, <i> [[Encyclopedia]] Biblica </i> under the word): </p> <h4> 1. [[Family]] </h4> <p> [[Probably]] eldest son of [[Amram]] ( <span> [[Exodus]] 6:20 </span> ), and according to the uniform genealogical lists ( <span> Exodus 6:16-20 </span> ; <span> 1 [[Chronicles]] 6:1-3 </span> ), the fourth from Levi. This however is not certainly fixed, since there are frequent omissions from the [[Hebrew]] lists of names which are not prominent in the line of descent. [[For]] the corresponding period from [[Levi]] to [[Aaron]] the [[Judah]] list has six names (Rth 4:18-20; 1 Ch 2). Levi and his family were zealous, even to violence ( <span> [[Genesis]] 34:25 </span> ; <span> Exodus 32:26 </span> ), for the national honor and religion, and Aaron no doubt inherited his full portion of this spirit. [[His]] mother's name was Jochebed, who was also of the [[Levitical]] family ( <span> Exodus 6:20 </span> ). Miriam, his sister, was several years older, since she was set to watch the novel cradle of the infant brother Moses, at whose birth Aaron was three years old ( <span> Exodus 7:7 </span> ). </p> <h4> 2. Becomes Moses' [[Assistant]] </h4> <p> When [[Moses]] fled from Egypt, Aaron remained to share the hardships of his people, and possibly to render them some service; for we are told that Moses entreated of [[God]] his brother's coöperation in his mission to [[Pharaoh]] and to Israel, and that Aaron went out to meet his returning brother, as the time of deliverance drew near ( <span> Exodus 4:27 </span> ). While Moses, whose great gifts lay along other lines, was slow of speech ( <span> Exodus 4:10 </span> ), Aaron was a ready spokesman, and became his brother's representative, being called his "mouth" ( <span> Exodus 4:16 </span> ) and his "prophet" ( <span> Exodus 7:1 </span> ). After their meeting in the wilderness the two brothers returned together to [[Egypt]] on the hazardous mission to which [[Yahweh]] had called them ( <span> Exodus 4:27-31 </span> ). At first they appealed to their own nation, recalling the ancient promises and declaring the imminent deliverance, Aaron being the spokesman. But the heart of the people, hopeless by reason of the hard bondage and heavy with the care of material things, did not incline to them. The two brothers then forced the issue by appealing directly to Pharaoh himself, Aaron still speaking for his brother ( <span> Exodus 6:10-13 </span> ). [[He]] also performed, at Moses' direction, the miracles which confounded Pharaoh and his magicians. [[With]] Hur, he held up Moses hands, in order that the 'rod of God might be lifted up,' during the fight with [[Amalek]] ( <span> Exodus 17:10 </span> , <span> Exodus 17:12 </span> ). </p> <h4> 3. An [[Elder]] </h4> <p> Aaron next comes into prominence when at [[Sinai]] he is one of the elders and representatives of his tribe to approach nearer to the [[Mount]] than the people in general were allowed to do, and to see the manifested glory of God ( <span> Exodus 24:1 </span> , <span> Exodus 24:9 </span> , <span> Exodus 24:10 </span> ). A few days later, when Moses, attended by his "minister" Joshua, went up into the mountain, Aaron exercised some kind of headship over the people in his absence. [[Despairing]] of seeing again their leader, who had disappeared into the mystery of communion with the invisible God, they appealed to Aaron to prepare them more tangible gods, and to lead them back to Egypt (Ex 32). Aaron never appears as the strong, heroic character which his brother was; and here at Sinai he revealed his weaker nature, yielding to the demands of the people and permitting the making of the golden bullock. That he must however have yielded reluctantly, is evident from the ready zeal of his tribesmen, whose leader he was, to stay and to avenge the apostasy by rushing to arms and falling mightily upon the idolaters at the call of Moses ( <span> Exodus 32:26-28 </span> ). </p> <h4> 4. High [[Priest]] </h4> <p> [[In]] connection with the planning and erection of the tabernacle ("the Tent"), Aaron and his sons being chosen for the official priesthood, elaborate and symbolical vestments were prepared for them (Ex 28); and after the erection and dedication of the tabernacle, he and his sons were formally inducted into the sacred office (Lev 8). It appears that Aaron alone was anointed with the holy oil ( <span> [[Leviticus]] 8:12 </span> ), but his sons were included with him in the duty of caring for sacrificial rites and things. They served in receiving and presenting the various offerings, and could enter and serve in the first chamber of the tabernacle; but Aaron alone, the high priest, the [[Mediator]] of the [[Old]] Covenant, could enter into the [[Holy]] of Holies, and that only once a year, on the great [[Day]] of [[Atonement]] ( <span> Leviticus 16:12-14 </span> ). </p> <h4> 5. [[Rebels]] [[Against]] Moses </h4> <p> After the departure of [[Israel]] from Sinai, Aaron joined his sister [[Miriam]] in a protest against the authority of Moses (Nu 12), which they asserted to be self-assumed. For this rebellion Miriam was smitten with leprosy, but was made whole again, when, at the pleading of Aaron, Moses interceded with God for her. The sacred office of Aaron, requiring physical, moral and ceremonial cleanness of the strictest order, seems to have made him immune from this form of punishment. [[Somewhat]] later (Nu 16) he himself, along with Moses, became the object of a revolt of his own tribe in conspiracy with leaders of [[Dan]] and Reuben. This rebellion was subdued and the authority of Moses and Aaron vindicated by the miraculous overthrow of the rebels. [[As]] they were being destroyed by the plague, Aaron, at Moses' command, rushed into their midst with the lighted censer, and the destruction was stayed. The [[Divine]] will in choosing Aaron and his family to the priesthood was then fully attested by the miraculous budding of his rod, when, together with rods representing the other tribes, it was placed and left overnight in the sanctuary ( <span> [[Numbers]] 17:1-13 </span> ). [[See]] <a> AARON </a> [['S]] <a> ROD </a> . </p> <h4> 6. Further [[History]] </h4> <p> After this event Aaron does not come prominently into view until the time of his death, near the close of the [[Wilderness]] period. [[Because]] of the impatience, or unbelief, of Moses and Aaron at [[Meribah]] ( <span> Numbers 20:12 </span> ), the two brothers are prohibited from entering Canaan; and shortly after the last camp at [[Kadesh]] was broken, as the people journeyed eastward to the plains of Moab, Aaron died on Mount Hor. In three passages this event is recorded: the more detailed account in [[Nu]] 20, a second incidental record in the list of stations of the wanderings in the wilderness ( <span> Numbers 33:38 </span> , <span> Numbers 33:39 </span> ), and a third casual reference ( <span> [[Deuteronomy]] 10:6 </span> ) in an address of Moses. These are not in the least contradictory or inharmonious. The dramatic scene is fully presented in Nu 20: Moses, Aaron and [[Eleazar]] go up to Mount [[Hor]] in the people's sight; Aaron is divested of his robes of office, which are formally put upon his eldest living son; Aaron dies before the [[Lord]] in the Mount at the age of 123, and is given burial by his two mourning relatives, who then return to the camp without the first and great high priest; when the people understand that he is no more, they show both grief and love by thirty days of mourning. The passage in Nu 33 records the event of his death just after the list of stations in the general vicinity of Mount Hor; while Moses in Dt 10 states from which of these stations, namely, Moserah, that remarkable funeral procession made its way to Mount Hor. In the records we find, not contradiction and perplexity, but simplicity and unity. It is not within the view of this article to present modern displacements and rearrangements of the [[Aaronic]] history; it is concerned with the records as they are, and as they contain the faith of the Old [[Testament]] writers in the origin in Aaron of their priestly order. </p> <h4> 7. [[Priestly]] [[Succession]] </h4> <p> Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, and sister of Nahshon, prince of the tribe of Judah, who bore him four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. The sacrilegious act and consequent judicial death of [[Nadab]] and [[Abihu]] are recorded in Lev 10. Eleazar and [[Ithamar]] were more pious and reverent; and from them descended the long line of priests to whom was committed the ceremonial law of Israel, the succession changing from one branch to the other with certain crises in the nation. At his death Aaron was succeeded by his oldest living son, Eleazar ( <span> Numbers 20:28 </span> ; <span> Deuteronomy 10:6 </span> ). </p>

<p> [vulgarly pronounced Ar'on] (Heb. Aharon', <span> אתְֲרֹן </span> , derivation uncertain: Gesenius, <span> Thesaur. Hebrews </span> p. 33, thinks from the obsolete root <span> אָתִר </span> , to be <span> libidinous </span> [so the Heb. Lex. <span> Aruch, </span> from <span> תָרָת </span> , referring (erroneously) to his <span> conception </span> during the [[Pharaonic]] edict]; but in his <span> Hebrews Lex. </span> s.v. compares with <span> תָרוֹן </span> , mountaineer; Furst, <span> Hebrews Handworterbuch, </span> s.v., makes it signify <span> enlightener, </span> from an obsolete root <span> אָתִר </span> = <span> אוֹר </span> , <span> to shine. </span> Sept., N.T., and Josephus, <span> Ἀαρών </span> ). </p> <p> <span> I. </span> <span> [[History]] </span> . <span> — </span> [[Aaron]] was the eldest son of the [[Levite]] [[Amram]] by Jochebed, and the brother of [[Moses]] ( <span> [[Exodus]] 6:20 </span> ; <span> Exodus 7:7 </span> ; <span> [[Numbers]] 26:59 </span> ); born B.C. 1742. [[He]] is first mentioned in the account of Moses' vision of the burning bush ( <span> Exodus 4:14 </span> ), whore the latter was reminded by the [[Lord]] that Aaron possessed a high degree of persuasive readiness of speech, and could therefore speak in [[His]] name in his behalf. During the absence of Moses in [[Midian]] (B.C. 1698-1658), Aaron had married a woman of the tribe of Judah, named [[Elisheba]] (or Elizabeth), who had borne to him four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar; and [[Eleazar]] had, before the return of Moses, become the father of [[Phinehas]] ( <span> Exodus 6:23-25 </span> ). [[Pursuant]] to an intimation from God, Aaron went into the wilderness to meet his long-exiled brother, and conduct him back to Egypt. They met and embraced each other at the [[Mount]] of [[Horeb]] ( <span> Exodus 4:27 </span> ), B.C. 1658. When they arrived in Goshen, Aaron, who appears to have been well known to the chiefs of Israel, introduced his brother to them, and aided him in opening and enforcing his great commission ( <span> Exodus 4:29-31 </span> ). [[In]] the subsequent transactions, Aaron appears to have been almost always present with his more illustrious brother, assisting and supporting him; and no separate act of his own is recorded, although he seems to have been the actual instrument of effecting many of the miracles ( <span> Exodus 7:1-25 </span> ; <span> Exodus 19:1-25 </span> sq.). Aaron and [[Hur]] were present on the hill from which Moses surveyed the battle which [[Joshua]] fought with the [[Amalekites]] ( <span> Exodus 17:10-12 </span> ); and these two long sustained the weary hands upon whose uplifting (in order to extend the official rod, rather than in prayer, see ver. 9) the fate of the battle was found to depend. Afterward, when Moses ascended Mount [[Sinai]] to receive the tables of the law, Aaron, with his sons and seventy of the elders, accompanied him part of the way up, and were permitted to behold afar off the symbol of the [[Sacred]] [[Presence]] ( <span> Exodus 24:1-2 </span> ; <span> Exodus 24:9-11 </span> ). During the absence of Moses in the mountain the people seem to have looked upon Aaron as their head, and an occasion arose which fully vindicates the divine preference of Moses by showing that, notwithstanding the seniority and greater eloquence of Aaron, he wanted the high qualities which were essential in the leader of the [[Israelites]] (see Niemeyer, <span> Charakt. </span> 3, 238 sq.). The people at length concluded that Moses had perished in the fire that gleamed upon the mountain's top, and, gathering around Aaron, clamorosly demanded that he should provide them with a visible symbolic image of their God, that they might worship him as other gods were worshipped ( <span> Exodus 32:1-35 </span> ). [[Either]] through fear or ignorance, Aaron complied with their demand; and with the ornaments of gold which they freely offered, cast the figure of a calf (see Kitto's <span> [[Daily]] [[Bible]] Illust. </span> in loc.). (See <a> CALF </a> ). </p> <p> However, to fix the meaning of this image as a symbol of the true God, Aaron was careful to proclaim a feast to [[Jehovah]] for the ensuing day (see Moncaeius, <span> Aaron purgatus sive de vitulo aures, </span> Atreb. 1605, Franckf. 1675). At this juncture, Moses' reappearance confounded the multitude, who were severely punished for this sin. Aaron attempted to excuse himself by casting the whole blame upon the people, but was sternly rebuked by his brother, at whose earnest intercessions, however, he received the divine forgiveness ( <span> [[Deuteronomy]] 9:20 </span> ). During this and a second absence in the mountain, Moses had received instructions regarding the ecclesiastical establishment, the tabernacle, and the priesthood, which he soon afterward proceeded to execute. (See <a> TABERNACLE </a> ); (See <a> WORSHIP </a> ). Under the new institution Aaron was to be high-priest, and his sons and descendants priests; and the whole tribe to which he belonged, that of Levi, was set apart as the sacerdotal or learned caste. (See <a> LEVITE </a> ). Accordingly, after the tabernacle had been completed, and every preparation made for the commencement of actual service, Aaron and his sons were consecrated by Moses, who anointed them with the holy oil and invested them with the sacred garments ( <span> [[Leviticus]] 8:1-36 </span> ; <span> Leviticus 9:1-24 </span> ), B.C. 1657. The high-priest applied himself assiduously to the duties of his exalted office, and during the period of nearly forty years that it was filled by him his name seldom comes under our notice. But soon after his elevation his two eldest sons, [[Nadab]] and Abihu, were struck dead for daring, seemingly when in a state of partial inebriety, to conduct the service of [[God]] in an irregular manner, by offering incense with unlawful fire. [[On]] this occasion it was enjoined that the priests should manifest none of the ordinary signs of mourning for the loss of those who were so dear to them. To this heavy stroke Aaron bowed in silence ( <span> Leviticus 10:1-11 </span> ). Aaron joined in, or at least sanctioned, the invidious conduct of his sister Miriam, who, after the wife of Moses had been brought to the camp by Jethro, became apprehensive for her own position, and cast reflections upon Moses, much calculated to damage his influence, on account of his marriage with a foreigner <span> — </span> always an odious thing, among the Hebrews. [[For]] this [[Miriam]] was struck with temporary leprosy, which brought the high-priest to a sense of his sinful conduct, and he sought and obtained forgiveness ( <span> Numbers 12:1-16 </span> ). (See <a> MIRIAM </a> ). </p> <p> [[Subsequently]] to this (apparently B.C. 1620), a formidable conspiracy was organized against Aaron and his sons, as well as against Moses, by chiefs of influence and station <span> — </span> Korah, of the tribe of Levi, and [[Dathan]] and Abiram, of the tribe of Reuben. (See <a> KORAH </a> ). But the divine appointment was attested and confirmed by the signal destruction of the conspirators; and the next day, when the people assembled tumultuously, and murmured loudly at the destruction which had overtaken their leaders and friends, a fierce pestilence broke out among them, and they fell by thousands on the spot. When this was seen, Aaron, at the command of Moses, filled a censer with fire from the altar, and, rushing forward, arrested the plague between the living and the dead ( <span> Numbers 16:1-50 </span> ). This was, in fact, another attestation of the divine appointment; and, for its further confirmation, as regarded Aaron and his family, the chiefs of the several tribes were required to deposit their staves, and with them was placed that of Aaron for the tribe of Levi. They were all laid up together over night in the tabernacle, and in the morning it was found that, while the other rods remained as they were, that of Aaron had budded, blossomed, and yielded the fruit of almonds. The rod was preserved in the tabernacle (comp. <span> Hebrews 9:4 </span> ) as an authentic evidence of the divine appointment of the [[Aaronic]] family to the priesthood <span> — </span> which, indeed, does not appear to have been ever afterward disputed ( <span> Numbers 17:1-13 </span> ). Aaron was not allowed to enter the [[Promised]] Land, on account of the distrust which he, as well as his brother, manifested when the rock was stricken at [[Meribah]] ( <span> Numbers 20:8-13 </span> ). When the host arrived at Mount Hor, in going down the [[Wady]] [[Arabah]] (See <a> EXODE </a> ), in order to <span> double </span> the mountainous territory of Edom, the divine mandate came that Aaron, accompanied by his brother Moses and by his son Eleazar, should ascend to the top of that mountain in the view of all the people; and that he should there transfer his pontifical robes to Eleazar, and then die ( <span> Numbers 20:23-29 </span> ). He was 123 years old when his career thus strikingly terminated; and his son and his brother buried him in a cavern of the mountain, B.C. 1619. (See <a> HOR </a> ). </p> <p> The Israelites mourned for him thirty days; and on the first day of the month [[Ab]] the [[Jews]] yet hold a fast in commemoration of his death (Kitto, s.v.). The Arabs still show the traditionary site of his grave ( <span> Numbers 20:28 </span> ; <span> Numbers 33:38 </span> ; <span> Deuteronomy 32:50 </span> ), which in the time of [[Eusebius]] was reputed to be situated in Petra, in the modern Wady Mousa (Onomast. s.v. Or; Am. Bib. Repos. 1838, p. 432, 640). He is mentioned in the [[Koran]] (Hottinger, Hist. Orient. p. 85 sq.), and the Rabbins have many fabulous stories relating to him (Eisenmenger, Ent. Judenth. 1:342,855,864). For [[Talmudical]] references, see Real-Encyklop. s.v. For an attempted identification with Mercury, see the Europ. Mag. 1:16. (See <a> MOSES </a> ). </p> <p> In <span> Psalms 133:2 </span> , Aaron's name occurs as that of the first anointed priest. His descendants ("sons of Aaron," <span> Joshua 21:4 </span> ; <span> Joshua 21:10 </span> ; <span> Joshua 21:13 </span> , etc.; poetically, "house of Aaron," <span> Psalms 115:10 </span> ; <span> Psalms 115:12 </span> ; <span> Psalms 118:3 </span> , etc.) were the priesthood in general, his lineal descendants being the high- priests. (See <a> AARONITE </a> ). Even in the time of David, these were a very numerous body ( <span> 1 [[Chronicles]] 12:27 </span> ). The other branches of the tribe of [[Levi]] were assigned subordinate sacred duties. (See <a> LEVITE </a> ). For the list of the pontiffs, including those of the line of [[Ithamar]] (q.v.), to whom the office was for some reason transferred from the family of the senior Eleazar (see Josephus, Ant. v. 11, 5, 8:1, 3), but afterward restored (comp. <span> 1 [[Samuel]] 2:30 </span> ), (See <a> HIGH-PRIEST </a> ). </p> <p> <span> II. </span> <span> Priesthood. <span> — </span> </span> Aaron and his sons were invested by Moses with the priestly office, which was to remain in Aaron's line forever ( <span> Exodus 29:1-46 </span> ). This was altogether distinct from the semi-sacerdotal character with which his mere seniority in the family invested him according to patriarchal usage. The duty and right of sacrificing to God was thereafter reserved to that family exclusively. The high-priesthood was confined to the first-born in succession; and the rest of his posterity were priests, simply so called, or priests of the second order (Ernesti, [[De]] Aarone, Wittenb. 1688-9). (See <a> SACERDOTAL ORDER </a> ). </p> <p> <span> III. </span> <span> [[Typical]] Character. <span> — </span> </span> Aaron was a type of [[Christ]] (see Hylander, <span> De </span> Aarone summisque Judoeor. pontificibus, Messioe typis, Lond. and Goth. 1827) <span> — </span> not, indeed, in his personal, but in his official, character: </p> <p> <span> 1. </span> [[As]] high-priest, offering sacrifice; </p> <p> <span> 2. </span> In entering into the holy place on the great day of atonement, and reconciling the people to God; in making intercession for them, and pronouncing upon them the blessing of Jehovah, at the termination of solemn services; </p> <p> <span> 3. </span> In being anointed with the holy oil by <span> effusion, </span> which was pre-figurative of the [[Holy]] [[Spirit]] with which our Lord was endowed; </p> <p> <span> 4. </span> In bearing the names of all the tribes of [[Israel]] upon his breast and upon his shoulders, thus presenting them always before God, and representing them to Him; </p> <p> <span> 5. </span> In being the medium of their inquiring of God by [[Urim]] and Thummim, and of the communication of His will to them. But, though the offices of Aaron were typical, the priesthood of Christ is of a far higher order. Aaron's priesthood was designed as "a shadow of heavenly things," to lead the Israelites to look forward to "better things to come," when "another priest" should arise, "after the order of Melchizidek" ( <span> Hebrews 6:20 </span> ), and who should "be constituted, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." (See Hunter, Sacred Biog. p. 282 sq.; Evans, Scrip. Biog. 3, 77; Williams, Characters of O.T. p. 97; Gordon, Christ in the [[Ancient]] Church, 1:271.) (See <a> PRIEST </a> ). </p> <p> ADDENDUM FROM VOLUME 11: </p> <p> The following description of the ascent to his reputed tomb on Mount [[Hor]] is taken from Porter's [[Handbook]] for [[Syria]] (p. 91). [[See]] HOR. </p> <p> "Ascending the ravine from the south-eastern angle of the valley, we reach in about half an hour the plain called Sutuh Harun, which skirts the base of Mount Hor. [[Crossing]] this towards the south-east side of the peak, we find a path winding up to the summit. The ascent from the plain must be made on foot, and occupies about an hour. It is neither difficult nor dangerous if the proper track be followed, for in the steeper portions rude steps aid the pilgrim. Not far from the summit is a little platform, from which the central and culminating peak rises in broken masses, giving a peculiar character to the mountain, like <span> — </span> </p> <p> <span> <span> ‘ </span> [[Embattled]] towers raised by Nature's hands.' </span> </p> <p> A deep cleft in the rock opens a way to the top. A little way up are the openings to subterraneous vaults with rounded arches, nearly similar to those in front of the tomb in the eastern cliff of Petra. From hence a staircase leads to the narrow platform on which the tomb stands. </p> <p> "The tomb, as it now stands, is comparatively modern; but it is composed of the ruins of a more ancient and imposing structure. Some small columns are built up in the walls, and fragments of marble and granite lie scattered around. The door is in the- outh-west corner. An ordinary cenotaph, such as met with in every part of the [[East]] <span> — </span> a patchwork of stone and marble <span> — </span> is the only thing in the interior. It is covered with a ragged pall, and garnished with the usual accompaniments <span> — </span> old shawls, ostrich-eggs, and a few heads;" [[Near]] the north-west angle a staircase leads down to a dark vault, partly hewn in the rock. Visitors desirous of exploring this grotto would do well to have lights in readiness. The real tomb of the high-priest is here shown at the far end of the vault. It was formerly guarded by an iron grating. The date of the building is at least prior to the time of the Crusades; for the author of the Gesta Prancorum mentions that in the time of [[Baldwin]] (A.D. 1100) an expedition was made in vallem Moysi, to Wady Musa;' and that there, on the summit of a mountain, was an oratory. Fulcher of Chartres, who also gives an account of the expedition, says he saw the chapel. It is highly probable that the spot was held sacred by the [[Christians]] before the [[Mohammedan]] Conquest. </p> <p> Aaron is commemorated as a [[Christian]] saint in the [[Ethiopic]] calendar on [[March]] 27; and his deposition on Mount Hor is assigned in early [[Roman]] martyrologies to [[July]] 1. </p>