Aaron

Aaron was the son of Jochebed and Amram of the tribe of Levi, brother of Moses and Miriam, forebear and founder of the Israelite priesthood. It appears that Moses may have stuttered so Aaron served as a spokesman before both the Pharaoh and the Israelites. Aaron was empowered by God to cast his staff to the ground where it turned into a serpent before Pharaoh’s eyes.

Several of the ten plagues were instigated by Aaron wielding the staff. Aaron’s position was officially established when God ordered Moses to consecrate him and his sons as priests. Aaron and his sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, officiated at Moses’ side.

Like Moses, Aaron was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Aaron died on Mount Hor at age 123 near the Edom border, and his son, Eleazar became the priest. In the New Testament, Aaron is seen as the imperfect priest when contrasted with the perfect priesthood of Jesus (Heb 5:7, 11).

The story of Aaron is found in Exodus 4:14-Numbers 20:29.