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Person · Tribe of Levi

Aaron

High Priest living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness

Aaron was Moses' older brother and served as the first high priest of Israel.

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Aaron was the older brother of Moses and Miriam, from the tribe of Levi. God appointed Aaron to be Moses' spokesman when Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Aaron performed signs before Pharaoh, including turning his staff into a snake. He assisted Moses during the Exodus, including holding up Moses' arms during the battle against the Amalekites.

God chose Aaron and his descendants to serve as priests for the Israelites. Aaron was consecrated as the first high priest and wore special priestly garments. He was responsible for offering sacrifices, burning incense, and performing other priestly duties in the tabernacle. Aaron also played a role in several significant events, such as the golden calf incident and the rebellion of Korah.

Aaron married Elisheba, and they had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord. Aaron died at the age of 123 on Mount Hor, and his son Eleazar succeeded him as high priest. Despite his flaws, Aaron was a key figure in Israel's history and played a crucial role in establishing the priesthood.

Family

Father
Amram
Mother
Jochebed
Siblings
MosesMiriam
Spouse or partner
Elisheba

Connections

Part of: Moses and his circle

Moses, Aaron and Miriam: a Levite sibling trio

FamilyStated in the text

The children of Amram and Jochebed, of the clan of Kohath in the tribe of Levi. Aaron was the elder brother; Miriam the sister (probably the one who watched the baby Moses in the Nile). Miriam is called prophetess; Aaron became the first high priest.

Where the text shows it: Exod 6:20 — Amram and Jochebed bear Aaron and MosesNum 26:59 — Jochebed bore Aaron, Moses and MiriamExod 15:20 — Miriam the prophetessExod 2:4 — Sister watching the baby; Miriam is not named here
Ways people read this (1)
  • The identification of the watching sister in Exodus 2 with Miriam is the standard reading but rests on inference.

Sources: Exod 6:20 · Num 26:59

Miriam and Aaron challenge Moses

FamilyStated in the text

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses over his Cushite wife and asked whether the LORD spoke only through him. God affirmed Moses' unique role; Miriam was struck with skin disease and healed after Moses interceded and a seven-day exclusion.

Where the text shows it: Num 12:1-2 — The complaintNum 12:6-8 — God affirms MosesNum 12:10-15 — Miriam's affliction and restoration

Sources: Num 12:1-2 · Num 12:6-8 · Num 12:10-15

Aaron as Moses' spokesman and priest

FamilyStated in the text

Moses, who protested he was slow of speech, was given Aaron as mouthpiece before Pharaoh. Later Aaron was consecrated high priest, making the brothers prophet and priest, but Aaron also failed at the golden calf.

Where the text shows it: Exod 4:14-16 — Aaron to speak for MosesExod 7:1-2 — "Aaron your brother shall be your prophet"Exod 28:1 — Aaron and his sons set apart as priestsExod 32:1-6 — Aaron and the golden calf

Sources: Exod 4:14-16 · Exod 7:1-2 · Exod 28:1 · Exod 32:1-6

Korah and Moses: cousins in rebellion

FamilyStated in the text

Korah son of Izhar and Moses and Aaron sons of Amram were first cousins, both grandsons of Kohath. Korah challenged Moses and Aaron's exclusive leadership together with Dathan and Abiram of Reuben; the ground swallowed the rebels. Korah's sons did not die, and the "sons of Korah" later appear as temple singers.

Where the text shows it: Exod 6:18-21 — Kohath fathered Amram and Izhar; Izhar fathered KorahNum 16:1-3 — Korah, Dathan and Abiram challenge Moses and AaronNum 16:31-35 — The earth swallows the rebels; fire consumes 250Num 26:10-11 — Korah's sons did not die

Sources: Exod 6:18-21 · Num 16:1-3 · Num 16:31-35 · Num 26:10-11

Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar: the priestly succession

FamilyStated in the text

After Nadab and Abihu died for offering unauthorized fire, Eleazar became chief of the Levites and Aaron's successor on Mount Hor. Eleazar then served with Joshua in the allotment of Canaan.

Where the text shows it: Lev 10:1-2 — Nadab and Abihu dieNum 20:25-28 — Eleazar invested with Aaron's garmentsJosh 14:1 — Eleazar the priest and Joshua distribute the land

Sources: Lev 10:1-2 · Num 20:25-28 · Josh 14:1

Moses, Aaron and the golden calf

RoleStated in the text

While Moses was on Sinai, the people asked Aaron for gods; he made a calf. Moses confronted him; Aaron's defence blamed the people. Moses' intercession spared Aaron (Deut 9:20); the Levites stood with Moses.

Where the text shows it: Exod 32:1-6 — The calfExod 32:21-24 — Moses confronts AaronDeut 9:20 — Moses prays for Aaron

Sources: Exod 32:1-6 · Exod 32:21-24 · Deut 9:20

Nahshon: Judah's leader and ancestor of David

FamilyStated in the text

Nahshon son of Amminadab led Judah's tribe in the wilderness. Aaron's wife Elisheba was Amminadab's daughter, making Nahshon Aaron's brother-in-law: the line of David and the line of the priests are thus linked by marriage.

Where the text shows it: Num 1:7 — Nahshon son of Amminadab, leader of JudahExod 6:23 — Aaron marries Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of NahshonRuth 4:20 — Amminadab fathers Nahshon

Sources: Num 1:7 · Exod 6:23 · Ruth 4:20

Bible dictionary

Aaron Easton Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)

The eldest son of Amram and Jochebed, a daughter of Levi (Ex. 6:20). Some explain the name as meaning mountaineer, others mountain of strength, illuminator. He was born in Egypt three years before his brother Moses, and a number of years after his sister Miriam (2:1, 4; 7:7). He married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab of the house of Judah (6:23; 1 Chr. 2:10), by whom he had four sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. When the time for the deliverance of Isarael out of Egypt drew nigh, he was sent by God (Ex. 4:14, 27-30) to meet his long-absent brother, that he might co-operate with him in all that they were required to do in bringing about the Exodus. He was to be the “mouth” or “prophet” of Moses, i.e., was to speak for him, because he was a man of a ready utterance (7:1, 2, 9, 10, 19). He was faithful to his trust, and stood by Moses in all his interviews with Pharaoh. 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). 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 (Ex. 19:24; 24:9-11). 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…

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Aaron Smith Smith’s Bible Dictionary (1863)

(a teacher, or lofty), the son of Amram and Jochebed, and the older brother of Moses and Miriam. (Numbers 26:59; 33:39) (B.C. 1573.) He was a Levite, and is first mentioned in (Exodus 4:14) He was appointed by Jehovah to be the interpreter, (Exodus 4:16) 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, (Exodus 4:30; 7:2) but also the actual instrument of working most of the miracles of the Exodus. (Exodus 7:19) etc. 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. (Exodus 17:9) He is mentioned as dependent upon his brother and deriving all his authority from him. 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 Jehovah, in the well-known form of Egyptian idolatry (Apis or Mnevis). He repented of his sin, and Moses gained forgiveness for him. (9:20) Aaron was not consecrated by Moses to the new office of the high priesthood. (Exodus 29:9) 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. See Moses. (Numbers 20:10-12) 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. (Numbers 20:28) This mount is still called the “Mountain of Aaron.” See Hor. The wife of…

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Aaron Hitchcock Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary (1869)

a teacher; lofty; mountain of strength

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Aaron Hastings Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible (1898)

AA'RON (mountaineer, or more probably, from another root, enlightened), the first high priest of the Jews; eldest son of Amram, the grandson, and Jochebed, the daughter, of Levi; brother of Miriam, who was several years older, and of Moses, who was three years younger. Ex 6:20 ; cf.Ex 2:1, Ex 6:4;Ex 7:7;Num 26:59. The family of Aaron belonged to the Kohathite branch of the tribe of Levi, the most numerous and powerful. This gave them prominence, so that the leadership naturally fell to them. When first mentioned he is called, Ex 4:14, the "Levite," which implies that he was a recognized leader in his tribe, and, as the first-born son, he would be the priest of the household. Aaron's wife was Elisheba, daughter of the prince of Judah, and he had four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Ex 6:23. The greater portion of his life is passed over in silence by the Bible writers, and he was eighty-three years old before he is introduced to us. Moses had timidly declined to be the leader of his people out of captivity, and had assigned as a reason that he was "slow of speech and of a slow tongue," Ex 4:10; whereupon God tells him that Aaron, his brother, was coming toward him, evidently under divine direction, and that he would act as his mouthpiece, because he possessed in a high degree popular gifts of speech and argument. Thus brought together, and understanding their respective functions, the brothers started for the court of Pharaoh, and from that time on Aaron played a very prominent part in the drama of Israel's deliverance. Side by side Moses and Aaron stand before the Lord, before Pharaoh, before the enraged elders of Israel. Furnished with words, Aaron utters them in these several presences, works miracles, and evinces courage. His work was by no means easy, but…

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Aaron Schaff Schaff’s Dictionary of the Bible

AA'RON (mountaineer, or more probably, from another root, enlightened), the first high priest of the Jews; eldest son of Amram, the grandson, and Jochebed, the daughter, of Levi; brother of Miriam, who was several years older, and of Moses, who was three years younger. Ex 6:20 ; cf.Ex 2:1, Ex 6:4;Ex 7:7;Num 26:59. The family of Aaron belonged to the Kohathite branch of the tribe of Levi, the most numerous and powerful. This gave them prominence, so that the leadership naturally fell to them. When first mentioned he is called, Ex 4:14, the "Levite," which implies that he was a recognized leader in his tribe, and, as the first-born son, he would be the priest of the household. Aaron's wife was Elisheba, daughter of the prince of Judah, and he had four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Ex 6:23. The greater portion of his life is passed over in silence by the Bible writers, and he was eighty-three years old before he is introduced to us. Moses had timidly declined to be the leader of his people out of captivity, and had assigned as a reason that he was "slow of speech and of a slow tongue," Ex 4:10; whereupon God tells him that Aaron, his brother, was coming toward him, evidently under divine direction, and that he would act as his mouthpiece, because he possessed in a high degree popular gifts of speech and argument. Thus brought together, and understanding their respective functions, the brothers started for the court of Pharaoh, and from that time on Aaron played a very prominent part in the drama of Israel's deliverance. Side by side Moses and Aaron stand before the Lord, before Pharaoh, before the enraged elders of Israel. Furnished with words, Aaron utters them in these several presences, works miracles, and evinces courage. His work was by no means easy, but…

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Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.

Where Aaron appears

333 verses in 16 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H0175

Exodus109
Leviticus77
Numbers97
Deuteronomy3
Joshua6
Judges1
1 Samuel2
1 Chronicles14
2 Chronicles6
Ezra1
Nehemiah2
Psalms9
Micah1
Luke1
Acts1
Hebrews3

Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.