Remove Aaron's priestly garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and will die there." Remove Aaron’s garmentsThe act of removing Aaron's garments is deeply symbolic, representing the transfer of the high priestly role from Aaron to his son Eleazar. In the Hebrew context, garments often signify identity and authority. Aaron's priestly garments, described in detail in Exodus 28, were not just clothing but a representation of his God-given role as the high priest. The Hebrew word for "garments" (בְּגָדִים, begadim) can also imply treachery or deceit, highlighting the gravity of the priestly office and the need for purity and faithfulness in service to God. and put them on his son Eleazar
This phrase signifies the continuation of the priestly lineage through Eleazar, Aaron's son. The Hebrew name Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָר) means "God has helped," indicating divine support and approval for this transition. The act of clothing Eleazar in Aaron's garments is a public affirmation of his new role and responsibilities. It underscores the importance of succession in leadership within the Israelite community, ensuring that the spiritual guidance and intercession for the people continue unbroken. Aaron will be gathered to his people
This phrase is a euphemism for death, common in the Old Testament. The Hebrew expression (וְנֶאֱסַף אֶל־עַמָּיו, ve'ne'esaf el-amav) suggests a reunion with one's ancestors, implying a continuity of existence beyond physical death. It reflects the belief in an afterlife where the deceased join their forebears. This concept provides comfort and hope, emphasizing that death is not the end but a transition to a new phase of existence in the presence of God and one's ancestors. and will die there
The certainty of Aaron's death is a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God. Earlier in Numbers 20, both Moses and Aaron were told they would not enter the Promised Land due to their failure to uphold God's holiness at the waters of Meribah. The Hebrew word for "die" (וּמֵת, umet) is straightforward, yet it carries the weight of divine judgment and the fulfillment of God's word. This moment marks the end of Aaron's earthly ministry and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands. Persons / Places / Events 1. AaronThe first high priest of Israel, brother of Moses, and a key figure in the Exodus account. His death marks a significant transition in Israel's priesthood. 2. EleazarAaron's son, who succeeds him as high priest. This transfer of garments symbolizes the continuation of the priestly line and duties. 3. Mount HorThe location where Aaron's death occurs. It serves as a significant geographical marker in Israel's wilderness journey. 4. MosesThe leader of Israel, who is instructed by God to oversee the transition of the priesthood from Aaron to Eleazar. 5. IsraelitesThe people of God, witnessing the transition of leadership and the fulfillment of God's commands. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceMoses and Eleazar's obedience in following God's instructions for the transition of the priesthood underscores the importance of adhering to God's commands. The Continuity of God's PlanThe transfer of priestly garments from Aaron to Eleazar illustrates the continuity of God's plan and the faithfulness of His promises to His people. The Reality of MortalityAaron's death serves as a reminder of human mortality and the need to prepare for the next generation to carry on God's work. Leadership TransitionThe orderly transition of leadership is crucial in maintaining stability and faithfulness within the community of believers. Symbolism of GarmentsThe priestly garments symbolize the responsibilities and holiness required of those who serve God, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the transition of the priesthood from Aaron to Eleazar reflect God's faithfulness to His promises? 2. In what ways can we ensure that leadership transitions in our own communities honor God and maintain continuity in His work? 3. How does the symbolism of the priestly garments in Numbers 20:26 relate to the New Testament understanding of the priesthood of all believers? 4. What lessons can we learn from Aaron's life and death about preparing the next generation for leadership? 5. How does the concept of mortality in this passage encourage us to live with an eternal perspective, and how can this be applied in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 28Describes the garments of the high priest, emphasizing their significance and the holiness required of the priestly office. Leviticus 16Details the Day of Atonement, highlighting the role of the high priest in mediating between God and Israel, a role now passed to Eleazar. Hebrews 7Discusses the priesthood of Jesus, drawing parallels between the temporary priesthood of Aaron and the eternal priesthood of Christ. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eleazar, Israelites, Miriam, MosesPlaces Edom, Egypt, Kadesh-barnea, King's Highway, Meribah, Mount Hor, ZinTopics Aaron, Aaron's, Clothed, Death, Die, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Garments, Gathered, Hast, Peoples, Rest, Robes, StripDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 20:22-29 4254 mountains Numbers 20:23-29 7258 promised land, early history Numbers 20:25-26 5072 Aaron, spokesman Library August 17. "Speak Ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8).
"Speak ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8). The Holy Ghost is very sensitive, as love always is. You can conquer a wild beast by blows and chains, but you cannot conquer a woman's heart that way, or win the love of a sensitive nature; that must be wooed by the delicate touches of trust and affection. So the Holy Ghost has to be taken by a faith as delicate and sensitive as the gentle heart with whom it is coming in touch. One thought of unbelief, one expression of impatient distrust or fear, will instantly …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Waters of Meribah
'Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XI. 2-30; ^C Luke VII. 18-35. ^c 18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things. ^a 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent by his disciples ^c 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them unto the Lord [John had been cast into prison about December, a.d. 27, and it was now after the Passover, possibly in May or June, a.d. 28. Herod Antipas had cast John into prison because John had reproved him for taking his brother's wife. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Peræa to Bethany. Raising of Lazarus.
^D John XI. 1-46. ^d 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [For Bethany and the sisters, see p. 478.] 2 And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair [John xii. 3 ], whose brother Lazarus was sick. [The anointing had not yet taken place, as John himself shows. For a similar anticipation see Matt. x. 4. There are five prominent Marys in the New Testament: those of Nazareth, Magdala and Bethany; the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 20:26 NIVNumbers 20:26 NLTNumbers 20:26 ESVNumbers 20:26 NASBNumbers 20:26 KJV
Numbers 20:26 Commentaries
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