Aaron |
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Aaron |
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| Aaron, first Jewish high priest and traditional
founder of the Hebrew priesthood. According to the Old Testament Book of
Exodus, Aaron was the older brother of Moses and a direct descendant of
the tribe of Levi. When Moses declined the mission of delivering the Children
of Israel from Egyptian bondage, because he was "slow of speech,"
Aaron was appointed his minister and spokesman (see Exodus 4:10-15). He
delivered the message of Jehovah to the Israelites and to the court of the
pharaoh, confirming the words of the message by wonderful signs (see Exodus
4-12). With Moses, Aaron led the Israelites out of Egypt, and in the battle
against the Amalekites (see Exodus 17), Hur and Aaron held up the hands
of Moses while he prayed for victory. Aaron was specially chosen for the
office of priest, which was to be hereditary in his family (see Exodus 28),
and was formally consecrated. At Mount Sinai, when Moses and Joshua ascended
the mount to receive the stone tablets containing the Law, Aaron and Hur
were left in charge of the Israelites. The people, dismayed at Moses' long
absence on the mountain, cried out for a god to worship, and Aaron made
them a golden calf (see Exodus 32:1-24); he thereby incurred the anger of
Jehovah and was pardoned only through the intercession of Moses. For their
doubts (see Numbers 20), Moses and Aaron were forbidden to enter the promised
land; Aaron died on Mount Hor, and his office was given to his son Eleazar. |
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