Numbers 20:22-29

Aaron's Death

22 After they set out from Kadesh, the entire Israelite community came to Mount Hor.[a]
23 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor on the border of the land of Edom,
24 "Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land I have given the Israelites, because you both rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah.
25 Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor.
26 Remove Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered [to his people] and die there."
27 So Moses did as the Lord commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community.
28 After Moses removed Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.
29 When the whole community saw that Aaron had passed away, the entire house of Israel mourned for him 30 days.

Numbers 20:22-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 20

In this chapter is an account of the children of Israel coming to the wilderness of Zin, where Miriam died, and where wanting water they murmured, Nu 20:1-5, upon which Moses and Aaron applied to the Lord, who ordered Moses to speak to a rock, which should give forth water, and which being smitten by him, accordingly did, Nu 20:6-11, but Moses and Aaron, in their conduct of this affair, displeased the Lord, Nu 20:12,13, after this, Moses sent to the king of Edom to desire a passage through his country, which request was refused, Nu 20:14-21, upon Israel's coming to Mount Hor, Aaron, by order, went up to the mount, and, when stripped of his clothes, which were put on his son Eleazar, he died, lamented by all the people, Nu 20:22-29.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Nm 21:4; 33:37-41; Dt 32:50
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