Numbers 33 39

Numbers 33:39 kjv

And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor.

Numbers 33:39 nkjv

Aaron was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.

Numbers 33:39 niv

Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.

Numbers 33:39 esv

And Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor.

Numbers 33:39 nlt

Aaron was 123 years old when he died there on Mount Hor.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 39 Meaning

Numbers 33:39 succinctly records the exact age and location of Aaron’s death. This statement marks a crucial milestone in Israel's wilderness journey, signifying the passing of the first High Priest, and underlining the finality of the old generation's journey before the new generation could enter the Promised Land. It emphasizes divine control over life and death and the progression of God's covenant plan.

Numbers 33 39 Context

Numbers Chapter 33 is a meticulous historical record, providing a detailed itinerary of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab, covering 42 encampments. This chapter serves as a review of God's faithful guidance through four decades of wilderness wandering. Verse 39 interrupts the list of encampments to highlight a profoundly significant event that occurred at the 40th encampment (Mount Hor, verse 37): the death of Aaron. His death marks a turning point, symbolizing the end of the generation that left Egypt (with the exception of Caleb and Joshua) and signaling Israel's readiness to move into a new phase of their journey, approaching the promised land under new leadership. Historically, Aaron’s death on Mount Hor, at the border of Edom, emphasizes God's sovereign timing and the consequences of disobedience for both Moses and Aaron (as referenced in Num 20:12).

Numbers 33 39 Word analysis

• Aaron (Hebrew: אַהֲרֹן, Aharon):
  • Significance: He was the first High Priest, appointed by God, brother of Moses, and progenitor of the priestly line that would serve Israel for centuries. His passing marked the end of an era for the foundational leadership of the Exodus generation. His high office did not exempt him from the mortality common to all humans.
• was a hundred and twenty-three years old:
  • Significance: This precise age, though a long life, emphasizes the specific, recorded lifespan determined by God. It reflects a detail that reinforces the historicity and accuracy of the biblical narrative. For ancient Israelites, a long life could be seen as a blessing, but even a revered figure like Aaron was subject to the universal truth of death, serving as a reminder of God’s decree and man's limited lifespan (Gen 6:3; Ps 90:10).
• when he died (Hebrew: וַיָּמָת, vayyāmōth, "and he died"):
  • Significance: The verb "to die" (מוּת, mūth) is simple but profound. It highlights the natural, irreversible cessation of life. In this context, it marks a divine appointment (Dt 32:50). It underscores the principle that all humans, even those in highest office, face death (Heb 9:27).
• on Mount Hor (Hebrew: בְּהֹר הָהָר, bᵉhōr hahā’ăr):
  • Significance: Literally "on Hor the Mountain" or "Mount Hor." It’s a specific geographical location, crucial because it’s where his high priestly garments were transferred to Eleazar (Nu 20:28) in a public, symbolic act, ensuring the continuity of the priesthood. Its location near the border of Edom (Nu 20:23) also placed it strategically as the Israelites moved closer to the promised land.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died: This phrase emphasizes the end of an era marked by a significant leader's lifespan. It provides closure for Aaron's personal journey within the wider national epic, a theme prevalent throughout the wilderness narratives where the lives of key figures are precisely charted and their ends noted. This specificity speaks to historical memory and the divine purpose in each life's span.
• when he died on Mount Hor: This specifies the timing and location, making the event historical and tangible. The "Mount Hor" setting adds to the solemnity and public nature of the event, particularly in light of the transference of the high priestly robes to his son Eleazar (Nu 20:28), signifying the divinely ordered succession and the ongoing work of God beyond individual leaders.

Numbers 33 39 Bonus section

The precise details surrounding Aaron’s death and the public transfer of his priestly garments (Num 20:22-29) underscore several theological truths. Firstly, it reiterates God's unwavering holiness, where even His closest servants face consequences for disobedience. Secondly, it visually depicted the continuity of the Aaronic priesthood through succession, reinforcing the eternal nature of the priestly office and the divine ordering of Israel's worship. His death occurred in the fortieth year after the Exodus, meaning it was one of the last significant events involving the "Exodus generation" before the final push into Canaan, highlighting God's meticulous fulfillment of His promise to deal with the rebellious generation.

Numbers 33 39 Commentary

Numbers 33:39, though concise, delivers a profoundly significant message. It highlights the divine precision in detailing the end of a pivotal figure’s life – Aaron, the High Priest. This isn’t merely a chronological marker; it underscores God’s sovereignty over life and death, even for His most consecrated servants. Aaron's death, along with Moses', before entering the Promised Land (a consequence of their disobedience at Meribah, Num 20:12) illustrates that God’s justice is universal and applies even to leadership. Yet, simultaneously, it demonstrates God’s unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, as the priestly line continued through Eleazar. The transition ensures the spiritual continuity and preparation for the new generation. This event signifies that the divine plan progresses regardless of human lifespan, fostering a message of continuity in God’s redemptive work. For instance, just as a founding leader passes the baton (e.g., in a church, a senior pastor retires), the foundational vision of the mission does not cease but is carried forward by new leadership empowered by the same Spirit.