Aaron: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan
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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 journey of the Israelites through the wilderness. Despite his prominent position and service, Aaron was not permitted to enter the Promised Land of Canaan due to an act of disobedience against God.

Background and Role

Aaron was born into the Levite family, the son of Amram and Jochebed, and was three years older than Moses (Exodus 7:7). He served as Moses' spokesperson and was instrumental in the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. As the high priest, Aaron was responsible for the spiritual leadership of the people and the performance of sacrifices and rituals as prescribed by the Law.

Incident at Meribah

The specific event that led to Aaron being barred from entering Canaan occurred at Meribah, in the Desert of Zin. The Israelites, once again facing a lack of water, complained against Moses and Aaron. God instructed Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water for the people. However, in a moment of frustration, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff instead of speaking to it, as commanded by God. Aaron, being present and complicit in the act, shared in the responsibility for this disobedience.

The Lord's response to this incident is recorded in Numbers 20:12 : "But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.'"

Death of Aaron

As a consequence of this disobedience, Aaron was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. His death is described in Numbers 20:22-29. God instructed Moses to take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor. There, Aaron was to be stripped of his priestly garments, which were then placed on Eleazar, signifying the transfer of the high priesthood. Aaron died on the mountain, and the Israelites mourned for him for thirty days.

Significance

Aaron's exclusion from Canaan serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. Despite his significant contributions and leadership, Aaron's failure at Meribah had lasting consequences, illustrating the principle that leaders are held to a high standard of accountability before God.
Nave's Topical Index
Numbers 20:12,23-29
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, Because you believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
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Library

Aaron, his Office no Palliation of his Sin, 61.
... Aaron, his office no palliation of his sin, 61. ... Devil, the, evil by choice and not
by nature, [119]197; existence of the, permitted for the sake of the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/aaron his office no palliation.htm

Jews.
... nation; the legislation of Moses; the priesthood of Aaron: the Egyptian ... those who
have called themselves Christians; they have not been permitted to enter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

The New Covenant.
... had performed the atoning rites, he was not permitted to stay ... But it must not be
separated from His entering ... Aaron received into his hands the blood of the ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

How the Hebrews under the Conduct of Moses Left Egypt.
... the age of Moses, and of that of Aaron three more ... God against them, since they had
already been permitted to go ... thence it was that Moses led them not along the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 how the hebrews.htm

Scriptural Types.
... shoulder heaved, before they were eaten by Aaron and his ... services; but the high priest
alone was permitted to enter ... God on the part of sinners was not yet made ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Moses the Type of Christ.
... And when Aaron and the children of Israel saw Moses, they ... privilege which he might
attain, Moses was permitted to see ... Why should you not enter into His rest? ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon ix moses the type.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... so among the Jews, because their servants were not permitted to remain ... He who raised
up a Moses, an Aaron, and a ... you believe that his aim is not shortened that ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

A Stanza of Deliverance
... Since then we have been permitted, in the order of ... Notwithstanding Moses, Aaron,
and the rod, "HE brought them forth ... let me out." I pray you, be not impatient. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a stanza of deliverance.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... the throne."(675) Here the prophet was permitted to behold the ... In some cases the
blood was not taken into the ... as Moses directed the sons of Aaron, saying, "God ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What did Moses Write?
... said that these retaliations were simply permitted under the ... in all this legislation
"the priests are not at all ... to in general, but by name, as Aaron and his ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter ii what did moses.htm

Resources
What should we learn from the golden calf incident in Exodus 32? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Miriam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How were Pharaoh's magicians able to perform miracles? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Aaron

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Aaron: Descendants of, Ordained Priests Forever

Aaron: Enters Upon the Priestly office

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Aaron: Inspiration of

Aaron: Intercedes for Miriam

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Aaron: Lineage of

Aaron: Makes the Golden Calf

Aaron: Marriage of

Aaron: Meets Moses in the Wilderness and is Made Spokesman for Moses

Aaron: Murmured Against, by the People

Aaron: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan

Aaron: Places Pot of Manna in the Ark

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Aaron: Priesthood of

Aaron: Stays the Plague by Priestly Intercession

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Rod of Aaron Buds

Related Terms

Aaron's (53 Occurrences)

Abihu (12 Occurrences)

Abi'hu (12 Occurrences)

Miriam (13 Occurrences)

Amram (14 Occurrences)

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)

Aaronites (2 Occurrences)

Consecration (22 Occurrences)

Phin'ehas (24 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Perpetual (57 Occurrences)

Statute (63 Occurrences)

Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Priest's (75 Occurrences)

Descendant (32 Occurrences)

Elea'zar (72 Occurrences)

Breastpiece (21 Occurrences)

Coloured (21 Occurrences)

Sprinkleth (11 Occurrences)

Approach (56 Occurrences)

Murmur (23 Occurrences)

Dash (30 Occurrences)

Drawing (60 Occurrences)

Summoned (103 Occurrences)

Princes (324 Occurrences)

Slaughter (121 Occurrences)

Censer (10 Occurrences)

Staff (91 Occurrences)

Chiefs (227 Occurrences)

Consecrate (65 Occurrences)

Sides (170 Occurrences)

Meal-offering (120 Occurrences)

Cereal (124 Occurrences)

Enters (44 Occurrences)

Designated (22 Occurrences)

Plaited (12 Occurrences)

Bonnets (7 Occurrences)

Breast-plate (22 Occurrences)

Caps (5 Occurrences)

Cloths (16 Occurrences)

Continual (55 Occurrences)

Slaughtereth (13 Occurrences)

Stripped (62 Occurrences)

Sashes (6 Occurrences)

Meat-offering (111 Occurrences)

Phinehas (24 Occurrences)

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)

Merari (38 Occurrences)

Snake (43 Occurrences)

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)

Portion (227 Occurrences)

Stretched (234 Occurrences)

Peace-offerings (82 Occurrences)

Acting (102 Occurrences)

Slew (206 Occurrences)

Doorway (221 Occurrences)

Duties (46 Occurrences)

Ministering (63 Occurrences)

Assembled (186 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Anointing (39 Occurrences)

Community (77 Occurrences)

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)

Counted (122 Occurrences)

Vests (6 Occurrences)

Eleazar (74 Occurrences)

Elisheba (1 Occurrence)

Dashed (26 Occurrences)

Monster (10 Occurrences)

Murmurings (8 Occurrences)

Merar'i (32 Occurrences)

Murmured (21 Occurrences)

Bathed (45 Occurrences)

Bathe (35 Occurrences)

Big (21 Occurrences)

Aaron: Murmured Against, by the People
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