Numbers 33:38
And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּעַל֩
went up
H5927
וַיַּעַל֩
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 22
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 22
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הָהָ֛ר
into mount
H2022
הָהָ֛ר
into mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
6 of 22
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּ֥י
at the commandment
H6310
פִּ֥י
at the commandment
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
8 of 22
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיָּ֣מָת
and died
H4191
וַיָּ֣מָת
and died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
10 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
לְצֵ֤את
were come out
H3318
לְצֵ֤את
were come out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בְּנֵֽי
after the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
after the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10:6And 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.Deuteronomy 32:50And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:
Historical Context
Aaron was 123 years old (v. 39), having been consecrated as high priest at age 83 (Exodus 7:7). His death marked the end of the Exodus generation's leadership core. The fifth month (Av in the Hebrew calendar) became associated with tragedy—later, both temples were destroyed in this month.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that Aaron died 'at the commandment of the LORD'—by divine appointment rather than chance?
- How should we understand that faithful leaders like Aaron and Moses faced severe consequences (exclusion from Canaan) for their failures?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there—Aaron's death was divinely ordained, not accidental. The phrase at the commandment of the LORD (עַל־פִּי יְהוָה, 'al-pî YHWH, literally 'upon the mouth of Yahweh') indicates sovereign appointment. Aaron's time was complete.
The chronological marker—in the fortieth year after Exodus, the first day of the fifth month (about July/August)—gives precise dating. Aaron died five months before Israel crossed Jordan, having served as high priest for nearly 40 years. His exclusion from Canaan (like Moses') resulted from the rebellion at Meribah (20:12, 24). Even faithful servants face consequences for sin, yet God honored Aaron with a mountaintop death and mourning period (20:29).