Deuteronomy 9:20
And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מְאֹ֖ד
was very
H3966
מְאֹ֖ד
was very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל
him and I prayed
H6419
וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל
him and I prayed
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
6 of 11
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בְּעַ֥ד
H1157
בְּעַ֥ד
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
8 of 11
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
Historical Context
Aaron served as Israel's first high priest, mediating between God and people. His complicity in the golden calf incident revealed the inadequacy of human mediators, all of whom need mediation themselves. This points forward to Christ, the sinless High Priest who needs no advocate.
That Aaron continued in priestly ministry after this failure demonstrates God's sovereign grace in calling and using imperfect servants.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Aaron's failure demonstrate that even religious leaders depend wholly on grace?
- What does it reveal about Moses' character that he interceded specifically for Aaron?
- How does the flawed Aaronic priesthood highlight the necessity of Christ's perfect priesthood?
- Why does God continue to use imperfect servants in His redemptive purposes?
- What comfort does Aaron's restoration offer to believers who have failed significantly?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time. Aaron's guilt in the golden calf incident is explicitly acknowledged - despite his priestly calling, he led the people into idolatry by constructing the idol. God's anger against him was justified.
The phrase very angry...to have destroyed him indicates Aaron stood under sentence of death for covenant violation. Only Moses' intercession preserved him. This demonstrates that even spiritual leaders are not exempt from judgment and depend entirely on mediatorial grace.
Moses' prayer for Aaron also shows the scope of faithful intercession - Moses advocated not only for the people generally but specifically for his brother who bore particular responsibility. This illustrates Christ's advocacy for individual believers, not just the church corporately.
Aaron's restoration to priestly service after this sin demonstrates God's grace in using flawed instruments. The high priesthood would descend through Aaron's line despite his failure, pointing forward to the perfect High Priest who knows no sin.