High Priest living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness

Aaron

Exodus 6:20; 7:7; Numbers 20:22–29; 33:38–39

Moses’ older brother, the son of Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20). When Moses protested that he could not speak well, God sent Aaron with him as his spokesman, and they spoke to Pharaoh when Moses was 80 and Aaron 83 (Exodus 4:14–16; 7:7). God chose Aaron and his sons as Israel’s priests, and he became the first high priest (Exodus 28:1; 29).

His failures are recorded too: when Moses was on Mount Sinai, he told the people to bring him their gold and made a molded calf, saying, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to Yahweh” (Exodus 32:1–6), and he and Miriam spoke against Moses (Numbers 12:1–2). Yet God confirmed his priesthood when Aaron’s rod alone sprouted and bore almonds (Numbers 17:8). He died on Mount Hor at 123, in the fortieth year after the exodus, and his son Eleazar took his garments and his office (Numbers 20:22–29; 33:38–39). The writer to the Hebrews contrasts his priesthood with that of Christ (Hebrews 5:1–4; 7:11).

Moses' older brother and spokesman; Israel's first high priest. 83 when he spoke to Pharaoh. Died at 123 (Numbers 33:39). Ussher dates his birth to 1574 BC and his death to 1452 BC, in the 40th year after the Exodus; the bar spans 122 calendar years because Ussher's years run autumn to autumn and don't line up exactly with BC years.

Family

Father

Amram

Mother

Jochebed

Wife

Elisheba

Children

Nadab, Abihu, Ithamar, Eleazar

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