Deuteronomy 10:6
And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנ֖וֹ
And the children
H1121
בְּנ֖וֹ
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
נָֽסְע֛וּ
took their journey
H5265
נָֽסְע֛וּ
took their journey
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
בְּנ֖וֹ
And the children
H1121
בְּנ֖וֹ
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יַעֲקָ֖ן
from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan
H885
יַעֲקָ֖ן
from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan
Strong's:
H885
Word #:
6 of 16
beeroth-bene-jaakan, a place in the desert
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
וַיְכַהֵ֛ן
ministered in the priest's office
H3547
וַיְכַהֵ֛ן
ministered in the priest's office
Strong's:
H3547
Word #:
13 of 16
to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia
Historical Context
Aaron died on Mount Hor at age 123, shortly before Israel's fortieth year in the wilderness (Numbers 33:38-39). His son Eleazar succeeded him as high priest, beginning the dynastic succession that continued until the Babylonian exile.
Mosera (also called Mount Hor) was in the region of Edom, east of Canaan. Aaron's death there prevented him from entering the Promised Land due to his sin at Meribah.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Aaron's mortality reveal about the inadequacy of the old covenant priesthood?
- How does the need for priestly succession highlight the superiority of Christ's eternal priesthood?
- Why does Scripture give specific geographical details about biblical events?
- What does Aaron's exclusion from Canaan teach about consequences of sin even for spiritual leaders?
- How does Christ's eternal priesthood provide greater assurance than the changing Aaronic priesthood?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried. Aaron's death reminds us that even the high priest was mortal, unable to continue forever in his mediatorial role. This points forward to the necessity of an eternal, unchanging High Priest.
The historical note about Israel's journey situates Aaron's death geographically and chronologically. These specific location markers ground biblical history in actual space and time - these are not myths but events that occurred at identifiable places.
That Aaron died and was buried emphasizes his humanity. Despite his exalted office as high priest, he could not escape death's penalty on sin. The Aaronic priesthood required continuous succession because each priest eventually died.
Hebrews 7:23-24 contrasts this with Christ's priesthood: because Christ lives forever, His priesthood is permanent and unchanging. He needs no successor and offers complete, eternal salvation to those who come to God through Him.