Original Word: אַהֲרוֹן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Aharown
Pronunciation: ah-har-OWN
Phonetic Spelling: (a-har-one')
KJV: Aaron
NASB: Aaron, Aaron's
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Aharon, the brother of Moses

Aaron

Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses -- Aaron.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
an elder brother of Moses
NASB Translation
Aaron (318), Aaron's (29).

אַהֲרֹן₃₄₆ proper name, masculine Aaron, elder brother of Moses Exodus 7:7; the priest Exodus 31:10 +; mentioned Exodus 4:14; Exodus 15:20; Exodus 17:10; Exodus 24:1; Exodus 28:29 + (115 t. Exodus); Leviticus 8:12,23 + (80 t. Leviticus); Numbers 20:24; f Numbers 33:39 + (101 t. Numbers); 1 Chronicles 5:29 +; Micah 6:4 (only here in prophets) Psalm 77:21; Psalm 105:26; called הַכֹּהֵן Exodus 31:10; Exodus 35:19; Exodus 39:41; Leviticus 7:34 +, see Psalm 99:6 בְּכֹהֲנָיו ׳משֶׁה וא; also הַכֹּהֵן ׳בּןאֿ Exodus 38:21; Numbers 3:32 #NAME?קְדוֺשׁ יהוה Psalm 106:16; often named with his sons Leviticus 2:3,10; Leviticus 6:2 +; ׳בְּנֵי א in strict sense Exodus 28:1,4,40 + often; הַכֹּהֲנִים ׳בְּנֵי א Leviticus 1:5 + Numbers 3:3; Numbers 10:8; Joshua 21:19; 1 Chronicles 6:42; of temple-priests in Gen'l, as descendants of A., 2Chronicles 26:18; 29:21; 31:19; 35:14 (twice in verse), see also 2Chronicles 13:9,10 & compare ׳הַכֹּהֵן בֶּןאֿ Nehemiah 10:39; so ׳בֵּית א Psalm 115:10; Psalm 115:12; Psalm 118:3; Psalm 135:19; אַהֲרֹן alone (= ׳בֵּית א) 1 Chronicles 12:28; compare 1 Chronicles 27:17.

Genealogical Background and Early Life

Aaron is introduced as “the son of Amram and Jochebed, the brother of Moses and Miriam” (Exodus 6:20). As the firstborn of the Levitical household of Kohath, he stands at the head of the priestly lineage that will shape Israel’s worship (1 Chronicles 6:1-3).

Divine Calling and Role as Spokesman for Moses

When Moses hesitates at the burning bush, the LORD declares, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well” (Exodus 4:14). From that moment, Aaron becomes Moses’ mouthpiece before both Israel and Pharaoh, wielding the rod that initiates several plagues (Exodus 7:19; 8:5; 9:23).

Confrontations with Pharaoh and the Exodus Events

Aaron’s rod becomes “a serpent” (Exodus 7:10), swallows the magicians’ rods, turns the Nile to blood, and calls forth frogs and gnats. These signs underscore that Israel’s liberation rests on divine power, not human eloquence.

Institution of the Aaronic Priesthood

At Sinai, the LORD distinguishes Aaron and his sons “to minister as priests” (Exodus 28:1). Chapters 28–29 detail garments of glory and consecration rites, culminating in the anointing recorded in Leviticus 8–9. Aaron offers the inaugural sacrifices, and “fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering” (Leviticus 9:24).

Priestly Garments, Consecration, and Ministry Duties

The ephod, breastpiece, and turban bearing “Holy to the LORD” signify representation, mediation, and holiness (Exodus 28:36-38). Aaron lights the lamps, trims the wicks, keeps perpetual incense, and blesses the people with the priestly benediction (Numbers 6:22-27).

Aaron’s Failings and Restoration

Exodus 32 portrays Aaron fashioning the golden calf. While he bears responsibility, Moses’ intercession and the LORD’s covenant mercy preserve him for priestly service. Numbers 12 reveals his jealousy with Miriam; both are corrected, but only Miriam is struck with leprosy, illustrating differing degrees of culpability and function.

Intercessory Ministry and Mediatorial Function

Aaron “makes atonement” by offering sacrificial blood (Leviticus 16) and, on one occasion, by standing “between the living and the dead, and the plague was halted” (Numbers 16:48). His ministry embodies substitutionary representation that anticipates the perfect mediation of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 5:1-4).

Miraculous Confirmations of Aaron’s Leadership

After Korah’s rebellion, the LORD commands each tribal leader to place a rod before the Ark. “The next day, Aaron’s rod… had budded, put forth blossoms, and produced almonds” (Numbers 17:8). This sign silences complaints and reaffirms divine appointment.

Later Life, Death, and Succession

Because of unbelief at Meribah, Aaron is barred from Canaan (Numbers 20:12). On Mount Hor he transfers garments to Eleazar, then dies at 123 years (Numbers 20:25-29). Israel mourns thirty days, marking the close of an era.

Legacy in Israel’s Worship

Throughout Leviticus, “Aaron and his sons” appears repeatedly, establishing the ongoing priestly service that continues through Zadok in Solomon’s Temple (1 Chronicles 24:1-3) and is honored post-exile (Ezra 2:36-39). Psalm 133 celebrates unity using “the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard of Aaron,” a poetic reminder of consecrated leadership.

Typological Foreshadowing of Messiah’s High Priestly Work

Hebrews compares and contrasts Aaron’s ministry with the eternal priesthood of Jesus: “Every high priest taken from among men is appointed to represent men in matters relating to God” (Hebrews 5:1), yet Jesus surpasses Aaron by offering Himself once for all (Hebrews 9:11-14). Thus Aaron serves as a divinely crafted shadow pointing to the substance fulfilled in Christ.

Representative Passages

Exodus 4:14-16; 7:1-12; 28:1-43

Leviticus 8:1-13; 9:22-24; 16:1-34

Numbers 16:41-50; 17:1-11; 20:23-29

Deuteronomy 10:6; 32:50

Psalm 99:6; 133:2

Malachi 2:4-7

Hebrews 5:1-10; 7:11-28

אַ֝הֲרֹ֗ן אַ֠הֲרֹן אַ֭הֲרֹן אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן אַֽהֲרֹן֙ אַֽהֲרֹן־ אַהֲרֹ֑ן אַהֲרֹ֔ן אַהֲרֹ֕ן אַהֲרֹ֖ן אַהֲרֹ֗ן אַהֲרֹ֛ן אַהֲרֹ֜ן אַהֲרֹ֡ן אַהֲרֹ֣ן אַהֲרֹ֤ן אַהֲרֹ֥ן אַהֲרֹ֧ן אַהֲרֹ֨ן אַהֲרֹֽן׃ אַהֲרֹן֒ אַהֲרֹן֙ אַהֲרֹן֮ אהרן אהרן־ אהרן׃ וְֽאַהֲרֹ֨ן וְׅאַׅהֲׅרֹ֛ׅןׅ וְאַֽהֲרֹ֔ן וְאַהֲרֹ֑ן וְאַהֲרֹ֔ן וְאַהֲרֹ֖ן וְאַהֲרֹ֗ן וְאַהֲרֹ֛ן וְאַהֲרֹ֜ן וְאַהֲרֹ֣ן וְאַהֲרֹ֤ן וְאַהֲרֹ֥ן וְאַהֲרֹ֨ן וְאַהֲרֹ֨ן ׀ וְאַהֲרֹֽן׃ וְאַהֲרֹן֙ וְאַהֲרֹן֮ וּֽבְאַהֲרֹ֗ן וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֑ן וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֔ן וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֗ן וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֜ן ואהרן ואהרן׃ ובאהרן ולאהרן לְ֝אַהֲרֹ֗ן לְאַֽהֲרֹ֔ן לְאַהֲרֹ֑ן לְאַהֲרֹ֔ן לְאַהֲרֹ֖ן לְאַהֲרֹ֣ן לְאַהֲרֹ֤ן לְאַהֲרֹ֥ן לְאַהֲרֹ֨ן לאהרן ’a·hă·rōn ’a·hă·rōn- ’ahărōn ’ahărōn- ahaRon lə’ahărōn lə·’a·hă·rōn leahaRon ū·ḇə·’a·hă·rōn ū·lə·’a·hă·rōn ūḇə’ahărōn ūlə’ahărōn uleahaRon uveahaRon veahaRon wə’ahărōn wə·’a·hă·rōnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts