Aaron’s Death
Numbers 20:22-29
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Num.20.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מקדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 20:23-29 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same scene: the people leave Kadesh, go to Mount Hor, and the narrative records Aaron’s removal from office and death on Mount Hor.
- Numbers 33:38-39 (allusion): Summary list of Israel’s stations that echoes the same event — Aaron going up Mount Hor and dying there — recapitulating the account found in Numbers 20.
- Psalm 106:32-33 (thematic): A poetic retelling of the Kadesh/Meribah episode that highlights Israel’s provocation there and its consequences for Moses (and by association the leadership crisis culminating at Mount Hor).
- Psalm 78:15-22 (thematic): Psalmic reflection on the wilderness period, including God’s provision and Israel’s complaints at sites like Kadesh/Meribah, providing thematic background to the journey from Kadesh to Mount Hor.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they set out from Kadesh, and the whole congregation of the Israelites came to Mount Hor.
- They set out from Kadesh, and the whole congregation of Israel came to Mount Hor.
Num.20.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- גבול: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אדום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Num.33:38 (verbal): Retells the same event: Aaron ascends Mount Hor at the LORD's command and dies there (same location and outcome).
- Deut.10:6 (verbal): Later summary of the journey that records Aaron's death and burial (places the event in the same border-region tradition).
- Deut.32:50 (verbal): Uses the same idiom of being 'gathered to your people' applied to Moses' impending death — a linguistic/thematic parallel to the report of Aaron's fate.
- Deut.34:1-5 (thematic): Moses on a border-mountain where God shows the land and the leader dies; parallels the motif of divine communication on a frontier mountain and the death of a principal leader.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron on Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom, saying:
- Then the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron at Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom, saying,
Num.20.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יאסף: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- עמיו: NOUN,m,sg,cstr+pr,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- יבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לבני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מריתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- למי: PREP,interr
- מריבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 20:12 (structural): Immediate context of the same episode (Moses and Aaron at Meribah): God rebukes them for not trusting Him and pronounces they will not bring the congregation into the promised land—same event and reason.
- Numbers 27:12-14 (thematic): God again informs Moses he will not enter Canaan because of his disobedience at the waters of Meribah; parallels the punitive consequence for leadership sin.
- Deuteronomy 34:4-5 (thematic): Deuteronomy’s account of Moses viewing the Promised Land but being denied entry echoes the consequence given for the Meribah incident (Moses’ end contrasted with Aaron’s death).
- Psalm 106:32-33 (allusion): A poetic retelling that refers to the Israelites’ sin at Meribah and its harmful effects on Moses — links the event and its judgment in liturgical memory.
- Genesis 25:8 (verbal): Uses the same idiom “gathered to his people” for a patriarchal death (Abraham); echoes the formulaic language applied to Aaron’s death and burial in Num 20:24.
Alternative generated candidates
- Aaron shall be gathered to his people; he shall not enter the land that I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.
- “Let Aaron be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel, because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.
Num.20.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קח: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- והעל: CONJ+VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 20:26-29 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Moses brings Aaron and Eleazar up Mount Hor, strips Aaron of his priestly garments and transfers them to Eleazar, then Aaron dies — the same episode expanded.
- Numbers 33:38-39 (verbal): Later summary of the same event: states Aaron died on Mount Hor and was buried there, and Eleazar succeeded him — a retrospective retelling of Num 20:25.
- Deuteronomy 10:6 (thematic): Refers to Aaron's death and Eleazar's succession; echoes the tradition of Aaron's death and priestly transfer (though location wording differs), linking the same historical memory.
- Leviticus 8:7-9 (verbal): Describes Moses clothing Aaron and his sons with priestly garments at consecration; parallels Num 20:25–26 where garments are removed from Aaron and placed on Eleazar, highlighting the transfer of priestly office through vesting.
Alternative generated candidates
- Take Aaron and his son Eleazar, and bring them up to Mount Hor.
- Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor.
Num.20.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והפשט: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בגדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- והלבשתם: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ואהרן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאסף: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- ומת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- Exodus 29:4-9 (verbal): Describes putting the priestly garments on Aaron (and his sons) at consecration — closely parallel language and action of clothing a priest in sacred vestments.
- Leviticus 8:7-13 (verbal): Moses dresses Aaron and his sons in the holy garments during the consecration ritual — a near-parallel account of vesting a priest and the significance of priestly attire.
- 2 Kings 2:13-14 (thematic): Elisha takes up Elijah’s mantle after Elijah is taken (and uses it as a sign of succession) — a thematically similar transfer of authority symbolized by a garment or mantle.
- Genesis 25:8 (verbal): Uses the same idiom 'and he was gathered to his people' to describe a patriarch’s death — parallels the formulaic language about dying and joining one’s ancestors in Num 20:26.
- 1 Chronicles 23:12-13 (thematic): Speaks of Eleazar’s descendants and the hereditary priesthood — thematically connected to the transfer of priestly office from Aaron to his son Eleazar in Numbers 20:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- Strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; Aaron shall be gathered to his people and shall die there.
- Strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there.”
Num.20.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- כל: DET
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Num.27:12-14 (verbal): God expressly commands Moses to go up Abarim/Nebo to view the land because he will not enter — the same divine instruction that Moses now obeys.
- Deut.32:48-52 (quotation): A reiteration of the LORD’s command to Moses to ascend Mount Nebo and view the land; repeats the legal/prophetic wording of the charge.
- Deut.34:1-4 (thematic): Narrative fulfillment: Moses goes up Mount Nebo, from where God shows him the promised land — the outcome of the ascent described in Num 20:27.
- Exod.24:12-18 (structural): Parallel motif of Moses ascending a mountain to meet God and receive revelation/commissioning; similar ritual and narrative pattern of ascent before the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Moses did as the LORD commanded; and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
- Moses did as the LORD commanded; and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation.
Num.20.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפשט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בגדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וילבש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- בראש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואלעזר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Leviticus 8:13 (verbal): At Aaron's ordination Moses 'put the tunic on Aaron' (clothing the priest). Numbers 20:28 echoes this ritual language but in reverse — Moses removes Aaron's garments and gives them to Eleazar, transferring the priestly vestments.
- Exodus 29:4,9 (thematic): These ordination passages prescribe clothing Aaron and his sons with priestly garments and establishing the priesthood. They provide the ritual/theological background for the transfer of garments to Eleazar in Numbers 20:28.
- Numbers 33:38–39 (structural): A parallel summary within the same tradition: recounts Aaron's ascent to Mount Hor, his death there, and Eleazar succeeding him — essentially the same event as narrated in Numbers 20:28.
- Deuteronomy 10:6 (structural): Deuteronomy retells the journey and states that Aaron died and was buried on Mount Hor, paralleling the account of Aaron's death and its location in Numbers 20:28.
- Joshua 24:33 (thematic): While this verse records Eleazar's death and burial, it connects to the succession and priestly lineage established when Eleazar receives Aaron's garments in Numbers 20:28, showing the continuing priestly line.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there on the summit of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.
- Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.
Num.20.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- גוע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.34.8 (verbal): Israel 'wept for Moses thirty days' — a near-verbal and thematic parallel of a thirty-day communal mourning for a national leader.
- Num.33.38 (structural): Another account in the wilderness itinerary locating Aaron's death at Mount Hor (same event/narrative).
- Gen.50.3 (thematic): Joseph and the household observed a period of mourning for Jacob (seven days) — parallels ancient Israelite practices and variable mourning durations for patriarchal leaders.
- 2 Sam.1.17 (thematic): David's lament over Saul and Jonathan (a formal communal lament for national leaders) parallels the communal public mourning expressed for Aaron.
Alternative generated candidates
- When all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, the whole house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.
- When all the congregation saw that Aaron had died, the whole house of Israel mourned Aaron for thirty days.
They set out from Kadesh, and the whole congregation of the children of Israel came to Mount Hor.
The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron on Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom, saying,
“Aaron shall be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel, because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.”
“Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor.”
“Strip Aaron of his garments and clothe Eleazar his son with them; and Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there.”
Moses did as the LORD commanded, and they went up to Mount Hor before the whole congregation.
Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and clothed Eleazar his son with them; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Moses and Eleazar then came down from the mountain.
All the congregation saw that Aaron had died, and the whole house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.