Exodus 4:27
And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֵ֛ךְ
H1980
לֵ֛ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִקְרַ֥את
to meet
H7125
לִקְרַ֥את
to meet
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
6 of 14
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
הַמִּדְבָּ֑רָה
into the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֑רָה
into the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
8 of 14
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַֽיִּפְגְּשֵׁ֛הוּ
and met
H6298
וַֽיִּפְגְּשֵׁ֛הוּ
and met
Strong's:
H6298
Word #:
10 of 14
to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur
בְּהַ֥ר
him in the mount
H2022
בְּהַ֥ר
him in the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
11 of 14
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 14
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Historical Context
Moses and Aaron hadn't seen each other since Moses fled Egypt 40 years prior. That they reconnect at Horeb (where Moses received his call) sanctifies their partnership—beginning at the place of divine revelation. Their cooperation would prove essential through Exodus-Leviticus-Numbers, though not without tensions (Numbers 12, 20). The kiss of greeting reestablishes brotherhood before commencing the Exodus mission.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the brothers' reunion at 'the mount of God' teach about grounding ministry partnerships in divine calling rather than mere human affinity?
- What does Aaron's glad-hearted submission to his younger brother's leadership teach about humility in ministry relationships?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־אַהֲרֹן לֵךְ לִקְרַאת מֹשֶׁה הַמִּדְבָּרָה וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁהוּ בְּהַר הָאֱלֹהִים וַיִּשַּׁק־לוֹ)—God orchestrates the brothers' reunion. Go into the wilderness to meet Moses—divine instruction coordinates their meeting. They meet at the mount of God (בְּהַר הָאֱלֹהִים, Horeb/Sinai), where Moses encountered the burning bush (3:1). And kissed him (וַיִּשַּׁק־לוֹ)—ancient Near Eastern greeting showing affection and reconciliation. Forty years separated, the brothers reunite for shared mission. Aaron's willingness to follow divine instruction and his glad reception (4:14 promised he'd "be glad in his heart") show genuine humility—no jealousy that his younger brother leads. This reunion models ideal ministry partnership: divinely orchestrated, mutually supportive, mission-focused.