Topical Bible: Aaron: Death and Burial of

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Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, played a significant role in the Exodus and the establishment of the priesthood. His death and burial are recorded in the Pentateuch, providing insight into the end of his earthly ministry and the transition of priestly duties.

Location and Circumstances of Death

Aaron's death is recounted in the Book of Numbers. The LORD instructed Moses to bring Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor, as Aaron was to be gathered to his people due to his disobedience at the waters of Meribah (Numbers 20:23-24). The LORD said to Moses, "Aaron will be gathered to his people, for he will not enter the land I have given the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah" (Numbers 20:24).

Transfer of Priestly Garments

On Mount Hor, a significant ritual took place to ensure the continuity of the priesthood. Moses was instructed to remove Aaron's priestly garments and place them on Eleazar, his son, signifying the transfer of the high priestly role (Numbers 20:25-26). "Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor. Then strip Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and will die there" (Numbers 20:25-26).

Death and Burial

After the transfer of garments, Aaron died on the mountaintop. "So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation. After Moses had stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron died there on top of the mountain" (Numbers 20:27-28). Aaron's death marked the end of an era, as he was the first to hold the office of high priest, a position of great spiritual significance for the Israelites.

Mourning by the Israelites

Following Aaron's death, the entire house of Israel mourned for him for thirty days. This period of mourning reflects the deep respect and affection the people had for Aaron, despite the challenges and conflicts that arose during his leadership. "When the whole congregation saw that Aaron had died, the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days" (Numbers 20:29).

Additional References

Aaron's death is also mentioned in Deuteronomy, where Moses recounts the journey of the Israelites and the events that transpired. "And the Israelites journeyed from Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah, where Aaron died and was buried, and Eleazar his son succeeded him as priest" (Deuteronomy 10:6). This passage highlights the continuity of the priestly line through Eleazar.

Aaron's death and burial signify a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, marking the transition of leadership and the enduring legacy of the priesthood established through him.

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Numbers 20:27,28
And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
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Deuteronomy 10:6
And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.
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Deuteronomy 32:50
And die in the mount where you go up, and be gathered to your people; as Aaron your brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered to his people:
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Library

In Death and after Death
... they had seen their work quite completed; and over Miriam, Aaron, and Moses ... mourning
for the first day, which was that of death and burial (Leviticus 22:4, 6 ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 10 in death and.htm

Joshua
... was linked to present in the burial of Joseph's ... completely effected till long after
Joshua's death: indeed the ... priest associated with him as Aaron with Moses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/joshua.htm

Aaron, his Office no Palliation of his Sin, 61.
... INDEXES OF SUBJECTS. Aaron, his office no palliation of his sin, 61. Abel, unharmed
by death, [2]273. ... Burial of the dead, a human instinct, [51]142. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/aaron his office no palliation.htm

An Index to Find any Hymn by the Title or Contents of It.
... Burial, 2:63; with Christ in baptism, 1:122; and death of a ... Christ, see Lord; and
Aaron, 1:145; and Adam, 1:124; his ascension, 2:76; beatific sight of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watts/hymns and spiritual songs/an index to find any.htm

Indexes and Tables
... dying, ii. [2042]49; Aaron, and Joshua, ii. [2043]124. ... [2218]64; beloved in Christ,
i. [2219]54; adopted, i. [2220]64; death and burial, ii. [2221]3; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/indexes and tables.htm

The Death of Abraham
... It is used of Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Aaron, and once ... which is
before Mamre.' It is then the equivalent neither of death nor of burial. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the death of abraham.htm

The Suffering Servant --vi
... the other that the death and burial and resurrection ... soul is exceeding sorrowful,
even unto death; abide ye ... burden which a mightier hand than Aaron's has made ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the suffering servantvi.htm

Hymns and Spiritual Songs
... Christ and Aaron. Taken from Heb. ... Hymn 2:2. The death of a sinner. Hymn 2:3. The
death and burial of a saint. Hymn 2:4. Salvation in the cross. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/hymns and spiritual songs/

The Assumption of Moses
... gave its name to the work, doubtless contained the account of the death and burial
of Moses ... to rule Israel, be he priest or king, of the line of Aaron or of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

The Pentateuch.
... events"the death of Miriam, the exclusion of Moses and Aaron from the ... blessing upon
the twelve tribes, and the account of his death and burial on mount ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm