Bible Dictionaries
Aaron

　　The son of Amram and Jochabed, of the tribe of Levi, and brother of Moses and Miriam, Exodus 6:20; born about the year B. C. 1574. He was three years older than Moses, Exodus 7:7 and was the spokesman and assistant of the latter in bringing Israel out of Egypt, Exodus 4:16 . His wife was Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab; and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. He was 83 years old when God summoned him to join Moses in the desert near Horeb. Cooperating with his brother in the exodus from Egypt, Exodus 4:1-16:36 , he held up his hands in the battle with Amalek, Exodus 17:1-16; and ascended Mount Sinai with him to see the glory of God, Exodus 24:1,2,9-11 .

　　Aaron's chief distinction consisted in the choice of him and his male posterity for the priesthood. He was consecrated the first high priest by God's directions, Exodus 28:1-29:46 Leviticus 8:1-36; and was afterwards confirmed in his office by the destruction of Korah and his company, by the staying of the plague at his intercession, and by the budding of his rod, Numbers 16:1-17:13 . He was faithful and self-sacrificing in the duties of his office, and meekly "held his peace" when his sons Nadab and Abihu were slain, Leviticus 10:1 - 3 . Yet he fell sometimes into grievous sins: he made the golden calf at Sinai, Exodus 32:1-22; he joined Miriam in sedition against Moses, Numbers 12:1-16; and with Moses disobeyed God at Kadesh, Numbers 20:8-12 . God, therefore did not permit him to enter the promised land; but he died on Mount Hor, in Edom, in the fortieth year after leaving Egypt, at the age of about 123 years, Numbers 20:22-29 33:39 . In Deuteronomy 10:6 , he is said to have died at Mosera, which was probably the station in the valley west of Mount Hor, whence he ascended into the mount. The Arabs still pretend to show his tomb on the mount, and highly venerate it. In his office as high priest, Aaron was an eminent type of Christ, being "called of God," and anointed; bearing the names of the tribes on his breast; communicating God's will by Urim and Thummim; entering the Most Holy place on the Day of Atonement, "not without blood;" and interceding for and blessing the people of God. See PRIEST .