Aaron

Aaron, first Jewish high priest and traditional founder of the Hebrew priesthood. According to the Old Testament Book of Exodus, Aaron was the older brother of Moses and a direct descendant of the tribe of Levi. He is also mentioned as a prophet in the Koran, where he is called Harun. When Moses declined the mission of delivering the Children of Israel from Egyptian bondage, because he was “slow of speech”, Aaron was appointed his minister and spokesman (see Exodus 4:10-15). He delivered the message of Jehovah to the Israelites and to the court of the pharaoh, confirming the words of the message by wonderful signs (see Exodus 4-12). With Moses, Aaron led the Israelites out of Egypt, and in the battle against the Amalekites (see Exodus 17), Hur and Aaron held up the hands of Moses while he prayed for victory. Aaron was specially chosen for the office of priest, which was to be hereditary in his family (see Exodus 28), and was formally consecrated. At Mount Sinai, when Moses and Joshua ascended the mount to receive the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, Aaron and Hur were left in charge of the Israelites. The people, dismayed at Moses' long absence on the mountain, cried out for a god to worship and Aaron made them a golden calf (see Exodus 32:1-24); he thereby incurred the anger of Jehovah and was pardoned only through the intercession of Moses. For their doubts (see Numbers 20), Moses and Aaron were forbidden to enter the promised land; Aaron died on Mount Hor, and his office was given to his son Eleazar. An Islamic legend tells of Harun and Moussa (Moses) scaling Mount Hor together, uncertain who would die first. They found a coffin which fitted Harun, and he was carried to heaven.