Numbers 33:39
And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
old
H1121
בֶּן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 9
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שָׁלֹ֧שׁ
and three
H7969
שָׁלֹ֧שׁ
and three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
3 of 9
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
וּמְאַ֖ת
was an hundred
H3967
וּמְאַ֖ת
was an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
5 of 9
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
בְּמֹת֖וֹ
when he died
H4194
בְּמֹת֖וֹ
when he died
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
7 of 9
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
Historical Context
Aaron's tenure as high priest (approximately 40 years) established the Levitical priesthood that would serve Israel for 1,500 years until Christ. His sons and descendants maintained the sacrificial system, making Aaron's legacy one of the most enduring in biblical history.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Aaron's long life but ultimate exclusion from Canaan teach about the relationship between faithful service and personal holiness?
- How does Aaron's incomplete journey point forward to Christ, the high priest who did enter God's rest on our behalf?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor—The specific age (123) emphasizes the completion of Aaron's life and ministry. He had lived long enough to see God's faithfulness through the Exodus, Sinai covenant, tabernacle construction, and wilderness trials, yet not long enough to enter rest.
The number resonates with symbolism: Aaron was three years older than Moses (Exodus 7:7), who died at 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7). Both men lived extraordinary lifespans, yet both fell short of Canaan. This teaches that even the most privileged service to God doesn't exempt us from mortality or consequences. Yet Hebrews 9:11-12 shows Christ's high priesthood surpasses Aaron's—Jesus entered not an earthly promised land but heaven itself.