Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor. Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years oldThis phrase marks a significant milestone in the life of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. The age of "a hundred and twenty-three years" is noteworthy, as it reflects a life that spanned the entire period of Israel's enslavement in Egypt, the Exodus, and the wilderness wanderings. In the Hebrew context, longevity is often seen as a sign of divine favor and blessing. Aaron's long life allowed him to witness God's mighty acts and serve as a spiritual leader for the Israelites. His age also underscores the faithfulness of God in sustaining His servants through the trials and challenges of leading His people. when he died
The phrase "when he died" marks the end of Aaron's earthly journey and his transition into eternity. In the biblical narrative, death is not merely an end but a passage to a new existence. Aaron's death is significant as it represents the passing of the old guard and the preparation for a new generation to enter the Promised Land. Historically, Aaron's death occurred on Mount Hor, as recorded earlier in Numbers 20:22-29, where he was gathered to his people, a phrase often used to denote the hope of an afterlife and reunion with ancestors. His death serves as a reminder of the mortality of even the most revered leaders and the continuity of God's plan beyond individual lifespans. on Mount Hor
"Mount Hor" is a geographical location of great importance in the biblical narrative. It is situated on the border of Edom, and it is here that Aaron's life came to an end. The mountain serves as a significant landmark in Israel's journey, symbolizing both a physical and spiritual transition. Archaeologically, while the exact location of Mount Hor is debated, it is traditionally identified with Jebel Harun near Petra in modern-day Jordan. The mountain's mention in the text highlights the historical and geographical context of Israel's wilderness journey and the fulfillment of God's promises despite the challenges faced along the way. Mount Hor stands as a testament to God's faithfulness in guiding His people through the wilderness and into the land He promised to their ancestors. Persons / Places / Events 1. AaronThe brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. His life and ministry were significant in the establishment of the Levitical priesthood. 2. Mount HorThe location where Aaron died. It is a significant geographical marker in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. 3. Death of AaronMarks the end of an era in Israel's history, as Aaron was a central figure in the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings. Teaching Points The Significance of Leadership TransitionAaron's death signifies a transition in leadership. It reminds us of the importance of preparing the next generation to carry on God's work. The Faithfulness of GodDespite the Israelites' failures, God remained faithful to His promises. Aaron's life and death are testimonies to God's enduring faithfulness. The Reality of MortalityAaron's death at 123 years old reminds us of the inevitability of death and the importance of living a life dedicated to God's service. The Role of the High PriestAaron's life illustrates the critical role of the high priest in interceding for the people, pointing us to Jesus, our ultimate High Priest. Legacy of FaithAaron's legacy is a call to leave a legacy of faithfulness and obedience to God, impacting future generations. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from Aaron's life about the responsibilities and challenges of spiritual leadership? 2. How does Aaron's role as high priest foreshadow the ministry of Jesus Christ as our High Priest? 3. In what ways does the transition of leadership from Aaron to his successor (Eleazar) teach us about preparing for future generations in our own lives? 4. How does the faithfulness of God in Aaron's life encourage us in our personal walk with God, especially during times of transition or uncertainty? 5. Reflecting on Aaron's death, how can we ensure that we are leaving a legacy of faith for those who come after us? What practical steps can we take today to build that legacy? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 28-29These chapters describe Aaron's consecration as the high priest, highlighting his role and responsibilities. Leviticus 16Details the Day of Atonement, a key aspect of Aaron's priestly duties, emphasizing the importance of his role in mediating between God and Israel. Deuteronomy 10:6Mentions Aaron's death and burial, providing additional context to the event described in Numbers 33:39. Hebrews 5:1-4Discusses the role of the high priest, drawing parallels between Aaron's priesthood and the ultimate priesthood of Christ. People Aaron, Abel, Arad, Egyptians, Gad, Geber, Israelites, Moses, Perez, Tahath, Terah, ZephonPlaces 0, Abarim, Abel-shittim, Abronah, Almon-diblathaim, Alush, Arad, Baal-zephon, Bene-jaakan, Beth-jeshimoth, Canaan, Dibon-gad, Dophkah, Edom, Egypt, Elim, Etham, Ezion-geber, Hahiroth, Haradah, Hashmonah, Hazeroth, Hor-haggidgad, Iye-abarim, Iyim, Jericho, Jordan River, Jotbathah, Kadesh-barnea, Kehelathah, Kibroth-hattaavah, Libnah, Makheloth, Marah, Migdol, Mithkah, Moab, Moseroth, Mount Hor, Mount Shepher, Nebo, Negev, Oboth, Pi-hahiroth, Punon, Rameses, Red Sea, Rephidim, Rimmon-perez, Rissah, Rithmah, Sinai, Succoth, Tahath, Terah, Zalmonah, ZinTopics Aaron, Death, Died, Dying, Hor, Hundred, Mount, Twenty, Twenty-threeDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 33:3-48 7222 exodus, events of Numbers 33:37-39 4254 mountains Numbers 33:38-39 5072 Aaron, spokesman Library Some Miscellaneous Matters Belonging to the Country About Jericho.
Let us begin from the last encampings of Israel beyond Jordan. Numbers 33:49: "They encamped near Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth unto Abel-shittim."--"From Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim were twelve miles." It is a most received opinion among the Jews, that the tents of the Israelites in the wilderness contained a square of twelve miles. So the Targum of Jonathan, upon Number 2:2; "The encamping of Israel was twelve miles in length, and twelve miles in breadth." And the Gemarists say, "It is forbidden …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaArbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Christ the Water of Life.
"Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life" (John iv. 13, 14). "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John vii. 37). "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank …
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 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 Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life 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 33:39 NIVNumbers 33:39 NLTNumbers 33:39 ESVNumbers 33:39 NASBNumbers 33:39 KJV
Numbers 33:39 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
