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{{Short description|Prophet in the Abrahamic faiths}}
{{About|the biblical figure}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{primary sources|find=Aaron|find2=brother of Moses|reason=this article relies almost exclusively on the bible rather than modern scholarship|date=June 2021}}
{{Religious text primary|date=September 2025}}}}
{{Infobox religious biography
| title              = {{Plainlist|
* Prophet
* High Priest
}}
| name               = Aaron
| image              = El sumo sacerdote Aarón (Museo del Prado) (cropped).jpg
| image_size         = 250px
| caption            = ''The High Priest Aaron'' by [[Joan de Joanes]], {{circa|1545|1550}}
| religion           = [[Abrahamic religions]]
| module0            = {{infobox saint 
|child=yes
|feast_day = [[Latin Church]]: July 1<br />The Sunday before [[Nativity of Jesus|Nativity]] (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Old Testament) ([[Eastern Orthodox Church]])<br />[[Maronite Church]]: September 4
|venerated_in = [[Judaism]]<br />[[Christianity]]<br />[[Islam]]<br />[[Samaritanism]]<br />[[Baháʼí Faith]]<br />[[Mormonism]]<br />[[Rastafari]]}}
| parents            = {{Plainlist|
* [[Amram]] (father)
* [[Jochebed]] (mother)
}}
| relatives          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Levi]] (grandfather)
* [[Miriam]] (sister)
* [[Moses]] (brother)
* [[Zipporah]] (sister-in-law)
* [[Gershom]] (nephew)
* [[Eliezer]] (nephew)
* [[Amminadab]] (father-in-law)
* [[Nahshon]] (brother-in-law)
}}
| spouse             = [[Elisheba]]
| native_name        = אַהֳרֹן
| birth_place        = [[Land of Goshen|Goshen]], [[Lower Egypt]], [[Ancient Egypt]]
| children           = {{Plainlist|
* [[Nadab (son of Aaron)|Nadab]]
* [[Abihu]]
* [[Eleazar]]
* [[Ithamar]]
}}
| death_place        = [[Mount Hor]], near the border of [[Edom]], [[Transjordan (region)|Transjordan]], or [[Moseroth]], near [[Edom]] (aged 123 in Jewish traditions)
| native_name_lang   = hbo
| nationality        = [[Israelite]]<br />[[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]]
| honorific prefix   = [[High Priest]]
}}

According to the [[Old Testament]] of the [[Bible]], '''Aaron'''{{refn|{{langx|he|אַהֲרֹן|ʾAhărōn}};<ref name=Olson/> {{langx|ar|هارون|Hārūn}}; {{langx|grc|label=[[Ancient Greek|Greek]] ([[Septuagint]])|[[wikt:Ἀαρών|Ἀαρών]]|Aarṓn}}; often called '''Aaron the priest''' ({{langx|he|אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן|ʾAhărōn ha-kōhēn|label=none}}).|group="note"}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛr|ən|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-Aaron.wav}} {{respell|AIR|ən}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ær|ən|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-Aaron (alt).wav}} {{respell|ARR|ən}})<ref>{{cite book|last=Wells|first=John C.|year=2008|title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary|edition=3rd|publisher=Longman|isbn=978-1-4058-8118-0}}</ref> was an [[Israelite]] [[prophet]], [[high priest]], and the elder brother of [[Moses]]. Information about Aaron comes exclusively from [[religious text]]s, such as the [[Hebrew Bible]], the [[New Testament]] ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]], [[Acts]], and [[Epistle to the Hebrews|Hebrews]]),<ref>({{bibleverse|Luke|1:5}}</ref><ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|7:40}}</ref><ref>{{bibleverse|Hebrews 5:4, 7:11, 9:4|multi=yes}})</ref> and the [[Quran]].

The Hebrew Bible relates that, unlike Moses, who grew up in the Egyptian royal court, Aaron and his elder sister [[Miriam]] remained with their kinsmen in the [[Land of Goshen|northeastern region of the Nile Delta]]. When Moses first confronted the Egyptian king about the [[Slavery in ancient Egypt|enslavement]] of the Israelites, Aaron served as his brother's spokesman to the Pharaoh.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Exodus 7:1 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.7.1 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=www.sefaria.org}}</ref> Part of the [[Law given to Moses at Sinai]] granted Aaron the priesthood for himself and his male descendants, and he became the first [[High Priest of Israel|High Priest]] of the Israelites.<ref>{{harvnb|Rockwood|2007|p=1}}</ref> [[Levite|Levitical]] priests or ''[[Kohen|kohanim]]'' are traditionally believed and [[halakha|halakhically]] required to be of direct [[Patrilineality|patrilineal descent]] from Aaron.<ref name=Leuchter2021>{{cite web|last=Mark Leuchter|first=Mark Leuchter|title=How All Kohanim Became Sons of Aaron|work=TheTorah.com|year=2021|url=https://www.thetorah.com/article/how-all-kohanim-became-sons-of-aaron|access-date=June 29, 2021}}</ref>

According to the [[Book of Numbers]], Aaron died at 123 years of age, on [[Mount Hor]], in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt.<ref>{{bibleverse|Numbers 20:22, 33:38|multi=yes}}</ref> [[Book of Deuteronomy|Deuteronomy]], however, places these events at [[Stations of the Exodus|Moseroth]].<ref name=jd3>{{harvnb|McCurdy|1906|p=3}}</ref><ref>{{bibleverse|Deuteronomy|10:6}}</ref>

[[Thomas Römer]] argues the Pentateuch reflects unresolved tensions between Moses, Aaron, and the [[Levite|Levites]], with Moses portrayed as dominant.<ref name=":1" />

==Biblical narrative==
[[File:Moses and Aron before Paraoh.jpg|thumb|Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh]]
According to the [[Book of Exodus]], Aaron first functioned as [[Moses]]' assistant. Because Moses complained that he could not speak well, God appointed Aaron as Moses' "prophet".<ref>{{Cite web |title=oremus Bible Browser : Exodus 4:10-17 |url=https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=614191913 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=bible.oremus.org}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>{{refn|group=note|He spoke and acted on behalf of Moses with the Egyptian royal court, including performing miraculous "signs" to validate Moses' mission.}} At the command of [[Moses]], he let his rod turn into a snake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%207%3A9&version=NRSVUE|title=Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 7:9 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition|website=Bible Gateway}}</ref> Then he stretched out his [[Aaron's rod|rod]] in order to bring on the first three plagues.<ref>Exodus 7:19 {{Bibleverse|Exodus|7:19||HE}}, Exodus 8:1,12.</ref><ref>Exodus 8:1, {{Bibleverse|Exodus|8:1||HE}}</ref><ref>Exodus 8:12{{Bibleverse|Exodus|8:12||HE}}</ref> After that, Moses tended to act and speak for himself.<ref>Exodus 9:23 {{Bibleverse|Exodus|9:23||HE}}</ref><ref>Exodus 10:13 {{Bibleverse|Exodus|10:13||HE}}</ref><ref>Exodus 10:22 {{Bibleverse|Exodus|10:22||HE}}</ref>

During the journey in the wilderness, Aaron was not always prominent or active. At the [[Battle of Refidim|battle with Amalek]], he was chosen with [[Hur (Bible)|Hur]] to support the hand of Moses that held the "[[Staff of Moses|rod of God]]".<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|17:9|KJV}}</ref> When the revelation was given to Moses at [[biblical Mount Sinai|Mount Sinai]], he headed the elders of Israel who accompanied Moses on the way to the summit. While [[Joshua]] went with Moses to the top, however, Aaron and Hur remained below to look after the people.<ref>
{{Bibleverse|Exodus|24:9|14|KJV}}</ref> From here on in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, Joshua appears in the role of Moses' assistant while Aaron functions instead as the first high priest.

===High Priest===
{{See also|High Priest of Israel|Kohen}}
[[File:Jacques Bergé, Aaron- Aaron, KBS-FRB.jpg|thumb|Aaron depicted by Jacques Bergé]]
The books of [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]], [[Book of Leviticus|Leviticus]] and [[Book of Numbers|Numbers]] maintain that Aaron received from God a monopoly over the priesthood for himself and his male descendants.<ref>Exodus 28:1</ref> The family of Aaron had the exclusive right and responsibility to make offerings on the altar to [[Yahweh]]. The rest of his tribe, the [[Levite]]s, were given subordinate responsibilities within the sanctuary.<ref>Numbers 3</ref> Moses anointed and consecrated Aaron and his sons to the priesthood, and arrayed them in the robes of office.<ref>Leviticus 8; cf. Exodus 28–29</ref> He also related to them God's detailed instructions for performing their duties while the rest of the Israelites listened.<ref>Leviticus 1–7, 11–27</ref> Aaron and his successors as high priest were given control over the [[Urim and Thummim]] by which the will of God could be determined.<ref>Exodus 28:30</ref><ref name=Olson>{{harvnb|Olson|2000|pp=1–2}}</ref> God commissioned the Aaronide priests to distinguish the holy from the common and the clean from the unclean, and to teach the divine laws (the [[Torah]]) to the Israelites.<ref>Leviticus 10:10–11</ref> The priests were also commissioned to bless the people.<ref>Numbers 6:22–27</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Mariottini|2006}}</ref><ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|6:22–27|KJV}}</ref> When Aaron completed the altar offerings for the first time and, with Moses, "blessed the people: and the glory of the {{LORD}} appeared unto all the people: And there came a fire out from before the {{LORD}}, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces".<ref>Leviticus 9:23–24</ref><ref>{{Bibleverse|Leviticus|9:23–24|KJV}}</ref> In this way, the institution of the Aaronide priesthood was established.<ref name=phod>{{harvnb|Souvay|1913|p=7}}</ref>

In later books of the Hebrew Bible, Aaron and his kin are not mentioned very often except in literature dating to the [[Babylonian captivity]] and later. The books of [[Book of Judges|Judges]], [[Books of Samuel|Samuel]] and [[Books of Kings|Kings]] mention priests and Levites, but do not mention the Aaronides in particular. The [[Book of Ezekiel]], which devotes much attention to priestly matters, calls the priestly upper class the [[Zadokites]] after one of King David's priests.<ref name=Olson/> It does reflect a two-tier priesthood with the Levites in subordinate position. A two-tier hierarchy of Aaronides and Levites appears in [[Book of Ezra|Ezra]], [[Book of Nehemiah|Nehemiah]] and [[Book of Chronicles|Chronicles]]. As a result, many historians think that Aaronide families did not control the priesthood in pre-exilic Israel. What is clear is that high priests claiming Aaronide descent dominated the [[Second Temple period]].<ref>{{harvnb|VanderKam|2004}}{{page needed|date=September 2014}}</ref> Most scholars think the Torah reached its final form early in this period, which may account for Aaron's prominence in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.

===Conflicts===
Aaron plays a leading role in several stories of conflicts during Israel's wilderness wanderings. During the prolonged absence of Moses on Mount Sinai, the people provoked Aaron to make a [[golden calf]].<ref>Exodus 32:1–6</ref> This incident nearly caused God to destroy the Israelites.<ref>Exodus 32:10</ref> Moses successfully intervened, but then led the loyal Levites in executing many of the culprits; a plague afflicted those who were left.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|32:35||KJV}}</ref> Aaron, however, escaped punishment for his role in the affair, because of the intercession of Moses according to Deuteronomy 9:20.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Deuteronomy|9:20|| KJV }}</ref> Later retellings of this story almost always excuse Aaron for his role.<ref name=Watts2011>{{harvnb|Watts|2011}}</ref> For example, in rabbinic sources<ref>Talmud Shabbat 99a</ref><ref>Exodus Rabbah 41</ref> and in the Quran, Aaron was not the idol-maker and upon Moses' return begged his pardon because he felt mortally threatened by the Israelites.<ref>{{qref|7|142–152|b=y}}</ref>

On the day of Aaron's consecration, his oldest sons, [[Nadab and Abihu]], were burned up by divine fire because they offered "strange" incense.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Leviticus|10:1|3||HE}}</ref> Most interpreters think this story reflects a conflict between priestly families some time in Israel's past. Others argue that the story simply shows what can happen if the priests do not follow God's instructions given through Moses.<ref name=Watts2011/>

The Torah generally depicts the siblings, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, as the leaders of Israel after the Exodus, a view also reflected in the biblical [[Book of Micah]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Micah|6:4|9}}</ref> Numbers 12, however, reports that on one occasion, Aaron and Miriam complained about Moses' exclusive claim to be the Lord's prophet.<ref>{{bibleverse|Numbers|12|HE}}</ref> Their presumption was rebuffed by God who affirmed Moses' uniqueness as the one with whom the Lord spoke face to face. Miriam was punished with a skin disease (''[[tzaraath]]'') that turned her skin white. Aaron pleaded with Moses to intercede for her, and Miriam, after seven days' quarantine, was healed. Aaron once again escaped any retribution.

According to Numbers 16–17, a Levite named [[Korah]] led many in challenging Aaron's exclusive claim to the priesthood. When the rebels were punished by being swallowed up by the earth,<ref>{{Cite web |title=oremus Bible Browser : Numbers 16-17 |url=https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=614192350 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=bible.oremus.org}}</ref> [[Eleazar]], the son of Aaron, was commissioned to take charge of the [[censer]]s of the dead priests. And when a plague broke out among the people who had sympathized with the rebels, Aaron, at the command of Moses, took his censer and stood between the living and the dead until the plague abated (Numbers 16:36, 17:1), atoning in the process.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Holy Bible |publisher=Thomas Nelson |year=1984 |edition=King James Red Letter |page=736}} Secondary source material written by Thomas Nelson.</ref>{{rs|date=March 2025}}
[[File:Hirschvogel The Blossoming of Aarons Rod.jpg|thumb|right|The Blossoming of Aaron's Rod, etching by [[Augustin Hirschvogel]]]]

To emphasize the validity of the Levites' claim to the offerings and tithes of the Israelites, Moses collected a rod from the leaders of each tribe in Israel and laid the twelve rods overnight in the [[tent of meeting]]. The next morning, Aaron's rod was found to have budded and blossomed and produced ripe almonds.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|17:8|KJV}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Mays|2000|p=177}}</ref> The rod was then placed before the [[Ark of the Covenant]] to symbolize Aaron's right to priesthood. The following chapter then details the distinction between Aaron's family and the rest of the Levites: while all the Levites (and only Levites) were devoted to the care of the sanctuary, charge of its interior and the altar was committed to the [[Kohen|Aaronites]] alone.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|18:1|KJV}}</ref>

===Death===
Aaron, like Moses, was not permitted to enter Canaan with the Israelites<ref name=jd3/> when Moses brought water out of a rock to quench the people's thirst. Although they had been commanded to speak to the rock, Moses struck it with the staff twice, which was construed as displaying a lack of deference to the Lord.<ref name=jd3/><ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|20:7|KJV}}</ref>

There are two accounts of the death of Aaron in the Torah.<ref name=jd3/> Numbers says that soon after the incident at Meribah, Aaron with his son Eleazar and Moses ascended [[Mount Hor]]. There Moses stripped Aaron of his priestly garments and transferred them to Eleazar. Aaron died on the summit of the mountain, and the people mourned him for thirty days.<ref>Numbers 20:22–29; compare 33:38–39)</ref><ref name=jd3/><ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|20:22|KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|33:38|KJV}}</ref> The other account is found in Deuteronomy 10:6, where Aaron died at Moserah and was buried.<ref name=jd3/><ref>{{Bibleverse|Deuteronomy|10:6|KJV}}</ref> There is a significant amount of travel between these two points, as the itinerary in Numbers 33:31–37 records seven stages between Moseroth (Mosera) and Mount Hor.<ref name=jd3/><ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|33:31|KJV}}</ref> Aaron died on the 1st of [[Av (month)|Av]] and was 123 at the time of his death.<ref name=Colliers>{{harvnb|Gutstein|1997|p=3}}</ref><ref name=sorh>according to [[Seder Olam Rabbah]] 9, Rosh Hashana 2, 3a</ref><ref name=jd4/>

===Descendants===
[[File:Descendants of Aaron according to the book of Esdras Carthage Judges of Israel- Jephthah, Elon, Abdon, Ibzan Saul Odysse - Schedell Hartmann - 1493.jpg|thumb|Aaron's descendants including [[Zerahiah]], [[Meraioth]], [[Amaziah]] and [[Ahitub]].]]

Aaron married [[Elisheba]], daughter of [[Amminadab]] and sister of [[Nahshon]] of the tribe of Judah.<ref>[[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] 6:23</ref> The sons of Aaron were [[Nadab (son of Aaron)|Nadab]], [[Abihu]], [[Eleazar]] and [[Ithamar]];{{refn |group = "note" |Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Chronicles|24:1}}</ref>}} only the latter two had progeny. A descendant of Aaron is an Aaronite, or [[Kohen]], meaning Priest.<ref>{{harvnb|Steinmetz|2005|p=95}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Freedman|Beck|Myers|2000|p=1}}</ref> Any non-Aaronic [[Levite]]—i.e., descended from Levi but not from Aaron<ref>{{harvnb|Harbour|Reed|Tinsley|2005|pp=47–48}}</ref>—assisted the Levitical priests of the family of Aaron in the care of the tabernacle; later of the temple.<ref group = "note">According to Samaritan sources, a civil war once broke out between the sons of Itamar [[Eli (Bible)]] and the sons of Phineas (son of Eleazar) that resulted in a division of those who followed Eli and those who followed High Priest Uzzi ben Bukki at Mount Gerizim Bethel. (A third group followed neither.) Ironically, and likewise according to Samaritan sources, the high priests' line of the sons of Phineas died out in 1624 CE with the death of the 112th High Priest, Shlomyah ben Pinhas, at which time the priesthood was transferred to the sons of Itamar. See article Samaritan for list of High Priests from 1613 to 2004—the 131st high priest of the Samaritans is [[Elazar ben Tsedaka ben Yitzhaq]]. Also see article, [[Samaritan]]</ref>

The [[Gospel of Luke]] records that both [[Zechariah (priest)|Zechariah]] and [[Elizabeth (biblical figure)|Elizabeth]] and therefore their son [[John the Baptist]] were descendants of Aaron.<ref>{{Bibleverse||Luke|1:5|KJB}}</ref>

===Family tree===
{{Levi to Moses family tree}}

==Historicity==
{{Main|Moses#Historicity|The Exodus#Origins and historicity}}
[[Thomas Römer]] argues that external evidence and biblical texts suggest the Pentateuch reflects tensions among three groups: (1) a lay group aligned with Moses, (2) a priestly group linked to Aaron, and (3) the Levites. These tensions, particularly evident during the Persian and early Hellenistic periods, are seen in conflicting narratives concerning the roles of both Moses and Aaron. Compromises are evident in texts like Exodus and [[Leviticus]], where Moses and Aaron work together, though Moses is dominant. Disagreements persisted, with some texts emphasizing Moses's superiority and others elevating Aaron's status. The [[Pentateuch]] ultimately preserves these unresolved conflicts while portraying Moses as the unparalleled mediator of the Torah (Deut. 34:10–12).<ref name=":1">{{Citation |last=Römer |first=Thomas |title=The Relationship between Moses and Aaron and the Question of the Composition of the Pentateuch |date=2021 |work=The Social Groups behind the Pentateuch |volume=43 |pages=55–72 |editor-last=Jeon |editor-first=Jaeyoung |url=https://hal.science/hal-03819173 |access-date=2025-06-15 |publisher=SBL Press |doi=10.2307/j.ctv28w3d6z.7 }}</ref>

==In religious traditions==
===Jewish rabbinic literature===
The older prophets and prophetical writers beheld in their priests the representatives of a religious form inferior to the prophetic truth; men without the spirit of God and lacking the willpower requisite to resist the multitude in its idolatrous proclivities.<ref name=jd2>{{harvnb|Kohler|1906|p=3}}</ref> Thus Aaron, the first priest, ranks below Moses: he is his mouthpiece, and the executor of the will of God revealed through Moses, although it is written fifteen times in the Torah that "the Lord spoke to Moses ''and'' Aaron."<ref>Sifra, Wa-yiḳra, 1</ref>

Under the influence of the priesthood that shaped the destinies of the nation under [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian]] rule, a different ideal of the priest was formed, according to Malachi 2:4–7, and the prevailing tendency was to place Aaron on a footing equal with Moses.<ref name=jd2/> "At times Aaron, and at other times Moses, is mentioned first in Scripture—this is to show that they were of equal rank," says the [[Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael]], which strongly implies this when introducing in its record of renowned men the glowing description of Aaron's ministration.<ref name=jd2/>

In fulfillment of the promise of peaceful life, symbolized by the [[Anointing|pouring of oil upon his head]],<ref>[[Leviticus Rabbah]] 10, [[Midrash Tehillim]] 133:1</ref> Aaron's death, as described in the [[aggadah]], was of a wonderful tranquility.<ref name=jd4>{{harvnb|Kohler|1906|p=4}}</ref> Accompanied by Moses, his brother, and by Eleazar, his son, Aaron went to the summit of Mount Hor, where the rock suddenly opened before him and a beautiful cave lit by a lamp presented itself to his view. Moses said, "Take off thy priestly raiment and place it upon thy son Eleazar!" said Moses; "and then follow me."<ref name=jd4/> Aaron did as commanded; and they entered the cave, where was prepared a bed around which angels stood. "Go lie down upon thy bed, my brother," Moses continued; and Aaron obeyed without a murmur.<ref name=jd4/> Then his soul departed as if by a kiss from God. The cave closed behind Moses as he left; and he went down the hill with Eleazar, with garments rent, and crying: "Alas, Aaron, my brother! thou, the pillar of supplication of Israel!"<ref name=jd4/> When the Israelites cried in bewilderment, "Where is Aaron?" angels were seen carrying Aaron's bier through the air.<ref name=jd4/> A voice was then heard saying: "The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found on his lips: he walked with me in righteousness, and brought many back from sin."<ref>Malachi 2:6</ref><ref name=jd4/> He died on the first of [[Av (month)|Av]].<ref name=sorh/><ref name=jd4/> The [[Pillars of fire and cloud|pillar of cloud]] which proceeded in front of Israel's camp disappeared at Aaron's death.<ref name=sorh/><ref name=jd4/> The seeming contradiction between Numbers 20:22 et seq. and Deuteronomy 10:6 is solved by the rabbis in the following manner: Aaron's death on Mount Hor was marked by the defeat of the people in a war with the king of Arad, in consequence of which the Israelites fled, marching seven stations backward to Mosera, where they performed the rites of mourning for Aaron; wherefore it is said: "There [at Mosera] died Aaron."<ref name=jd4/><ref group = "note">See [[Mekhilta]], Beshallaḥ, Vayassa, 1; [[Tanhuma]], Hukkat, 18; Yerushalmi Sotah, 1 17c, and [[Targum Pseudo-Jonathan]] Numbers and Deuteronomy on the above mentioned passages.</ref>
[[File:Mozes met Aäron en Mirjam, c 1650, Jacob Jordaens.jpg|thumb|Aaron, Miriam and Moses, chalk drawing c 1650, [[Jacob Jordaens]]]]
The rabbis particularly praise the brotherly sentiment between Aaron and Moses. When Moses was appointed ruler and Aaron high priest, neither betrayed any jealousy; instead they rejoiced in each other's greatness. When Moses at first declined to go to Pharaoh, saying: "O my Lord, send, I pray, by the hand of him whom you will send",<ref>Exodus 4:13</ref> he was unwilling to deprive Aaron of the high position the latter had held for so many years; but the Lord reassured him, saying: "Behold, when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart."<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|4:14|JPS}}</ref><ref name=jd4/> Indeed, Aaron was to find his reward, says [[Shimon bar Yochai]]; for that heart which had leaped with joy over his younger brother's rise to glory greater than his was decorated with the [[Urim and Thummim]], which were to "be upon Aaron's heart when he goeth in before the Lord".<ref>[[Canticles Rabbah]] 1:10</ref><ref name=jd4/> Moses and Aaron met in gladness of heart, kissing each other as true brothers,<ref>Exodus 4:27; compare [[Song of Solomon|Song of Songs]] 8:1</ref> and of them it is written: "Behold how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!"<ref>[[Psalm 133]]:1</ref><ref name=jd4/> Of them it is said: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed [each other]";<ref>Psalm 85:10</ref> for Moses stood for righteousness<ref>Deuteronomy 33:21</ref> and Aaron for peace.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Malachi|2:6|JPS}}</ref> Again, mercy was personified in Aaron, according to Deuteronomy 33:8, and truth in Moses, according to Numbers 12:7.<ref name=jd4/><ref>([[Tanhuma]], Shemot, ed. Buber, 24–26)</ref>

When Moses poured the oil of anointment upon the head of Aaron, Aaron modestly shrank back and said: "Who knows whether I have not cast some blemish upon this sacred oil so as to forfeit this high office." Then the [[Shekhinah]] spoke the words: "Behold the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard of Aaron, that even went down to the skirts of his garment, is as pure as the dew of Hermon."<ref>{{Bibleverse|Psalm|133:2–3}}</ref><ref name=jd4/><ref>[[Sifra]], Shemini, Milluim; [[Tanhuma]], Korah, ed. Buber, 14</ref>

According to [[Tanhuma]],<ref>ed. Buber, 2:12</ref> Aaron's activity as a prophet began earlier than that of Moses.<ref name=jd2/> Hillel held Aaron up as an example, saying: "Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace; love your fellow creatures and draw them nigh unto the Law!"<ref>Atlas Tours</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2021}} This is further illustrated by the tradition<ref>Preserved in [[Avot of Rabbi Natan]] 12, [[Sanhedrin (tractate)|Sanhedrin]] 6b, and elsewhere</ref> that Aaron was an ideal priest of the people, far more beloved for his kindly ways than was Moses.<ref name=jd3/> While Moses was stern and uncompromising, brooking no wrong, Aaron went about as peacemaker, reconciling man and wife when he saw them estranged, or a man with his neighbor when they quarreled, and winning evil-doers back into the right way by his friendly intercourse.<ref>{{harvnb|Kohler|1906|pp=3–4}}</ref> As a result, Aaron's death was more intensely mourned than Moses': when Aaron died the whole [[Israelites|house of Israel]] wept, including the women,<ref>Numbers 20:29</ref><ref name=jd4/><ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|20:29}}</ref> while Moses was bewailed by "the sons of Israel" only.<ref>Deuteronomy 34:8)</ref><ref name=jd4/><ref>{{Bibleverse|Deuteronomy|34:8|NASB}}</ref> Even in the making of the [[golden calf]] the rabbis find extenuating circumstances for Aaron.<ref name=jd4/><ref>Sanhedrin 7a</ref> His fortitude and silent submission to the will of God on the loss of his two sons are referred to as an excellent example to men how to glorify God in the midst of great affliction.<ref name=jd4/><ref>[[Zebahim]] 115b</ref> Especially significant are the words represented as being spoken by God after the princes of the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel|Twelve Tribes]] had brought their dedication offerings into the newly constructed [[tabernacle|Tent of Meeting]]: "Say to thy brother Aaron: Greater than the gifts of the princes is thy gift; for thou art called upon to kindle the light, and, while the sacrifices shall last only as long as the Temple lasts, thy light shall last forever."<ref name=jd4/><ref>[[Tanhuma]], ed. Buber, Behaalotecha, 6</ref>

===Christianity===
[[File:Aaron-icon.jpg|thumb|[[Russian icon]] of Aaron (18th century, [[Iconostasis]] of [[Kizhi]] [[monastery]], [[Karelia]], Russia).]]
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Maronite Church|Maronite]] churches, Aaron is [[veneration|venerated]] as a [[saint]] whose [[feast day]] is shared with his brother Moses and celebrated on September 4. (Those churches that follow the traditional [[Julian calendar]] celebrate this day on September 17 of the modern [[Gregorian calendar]]). Aaron is also commemorated with other Old Testament saints on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, the Sunday before [[Christmas]].

In Eastern Orthodox Church he is commemorated on 20 July, 12 March, [[Nativity Fast#Sunday of the Forefathers|Sunday of the Forefathers]], [[Nativity Fast#Sunday of the Holy Fathers|Sunday of the Fathers]] and on April 14 with all saint [[Sinaia Monastery|Sinai]] monks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Святой Ааро́н Первосвященник |url=https://azbyka.ru/days/sv-aaron-pervosvjashchennik |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=Православный Церковный календарь |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ААРОН ПЕРВОСВЯЩЕННИК – Древо |url=http://drevo-info.ru/articles/2353.html |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=drevo-info.ru |language=ru}}</ref>

Aaron is commemorated as one of the Holy Forefathers in the [[Calendar of saints (Armenian Apostolic Church)|Calendar of Saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church]] on July 30. He is commemorated on July 1 in the modern Latin calendar and in the Syriac Calendar.

The ''Moses and Aaron Church'' ({{langx|nl|[[Mozes en Aäronkerk]]}}), in the [[Waterlooplein]] neighborhood of [[Amsterdam]], is one of the most well-known [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] churches in the city.

One version of the Bible has an encyclopedia that describes Aaron's role in Scripture as the "spokesman for Moses".<ref name=":0" />

====Mormonism====
In [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], the [[Aaronic priesthood (LDS Church)|Aaronic priesthood]] is the lesser order of priesthood under the higher order of the [[Melchizedek priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Melchizedek priesthood]]. Those ordained to this priesthood have the authority to act in God's name in certain responsibilities in the church such as the administration of the [[Sacrament (LDS Church)|sacrament]] and [[Baptism in Mormonism|baptism]].<ref>{{harvnb|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints|2001|p=25}}</ref>

In the [[Community of Christ]], the [[Priesthood (Community of Christ)#Aaronic Order|Aaronic order of priesthood]] is regarded as an appendage to the [[Priesthood (Community of Christ)#Melchisedec Order|Melchisedec order]], and consists of the priesthood offices of deacon, teacher, and priest. While differing in responsibilities, these offices, along with those of the Melchisidec order, are regarded as equal before God.

==={{anchor|Harun}} Islam===
{{See also|Moses in Islam|Aaron in Islam}}
[[File:Harun sleeping next to two angels.jpg|left|thumb|Islamic illustration of Harun sleeping next to two angels from an Ottoman manuscript.]]
Aaron ([[Arabic]]: هارون, ''Hārūn'') is mentioned in the [[Quran]] as a [[Prophets of Islam|prophet]] of [[God in Islam|God]].<ref>{{qref|19|53|b=y}}</ref> The Quran praises Aaron repeatedly, calling him a "believing servant"<ref>{{qref|37|122|b=y}}</ref> as well as one who was "guided"<ref>{{qref|6|84|b=y}}</ref> and one of the "victors".<ref>{{qref|37|114–122|b=y}}</ref> The Quran additionally denies the role of Aaron in the creation of the golden calf, attributing the action to [[Samiri]].<ref>{{qref|20|85|b=y}}</ref> Aaron is important in [[Islam]] for his role in the events of [[the Exodus]], in which, according to the Quran and Islamic belief, he preached with his younger brother, [[Moses in Islam|Musa]] ([[Moses]]) to the [[Pharaoh of the Exodus]].<ref>{{harvnb|Glasse|1989|pp=9–10}}</ref><ref name="qref|19|41-53|b=y">{{qref|19|41–53|b=y}}</ref>

Aaron's significance in Islam, however, is not limited to his role as the helper of Moses. Islamic tradition also accords Aaron the role of a [[patriarch]], as tradition records that the priestly descent came through Aaron's lineage, which included the entire [[Al-Imran|House of Amran]].{{refn |group = "note" |All commentators, classical and modern, hold that the Quranic ''House of Amran'' refers to Imrān's lineage, through his son Aaron. (cf. [[Muhammad Asad]], [[Abdullah Yusuf Ali|Yusuf 'Ali]] and [[Ibn Kathir]]'s commentary on Q. 19:28)<ref name=yus>{{harvnb|Ali|1998|p=773 §=2481}}</ref>}}{{refn |group="note" |"In the second group, we have the great founders of families, apart from Abraham, viz., Noah of the time of the Flood; David and Solomon, the real establishers of the Jewish monarchy; Job, who lived 140 years, saw four generations of descendants, and was blessed at the end of his life with large pastoral wealth (Job 42:16,12); Joseph, who as Minister of State did great things in Egypt and was the progenitor of two Tribes; and Moses and Aaron, the leaders of the Exodus from Egypt. They led active lives and called 'doers of good.'"<ref>{{harvnb|Ali|1998|p=312 §=904}}</ref>}}

===Baháʼí Faith===
In the [[Baháʼí Faith]], although his father is described as both an apostle and a prophet, Aaron is merely described as a prophet. The ''[[Kitáb-i-Íqán]]'' describes [[Amram|Imran]] as his father.<ref>{{harvnb|Bahá'u'lláh|'Abdu'l-Bahá|1976|p=270}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Baha'u'llah|2003|p=243}}</ref>

==In art==
[[File:Sandro Botticelli - The Punishment of Korah and the Stoning of Moses and Aaron (detail) - WGA2748.jpg|thumb|Aaron, in blue wearing a [[papal tiara]], as depicted in [[Sandro Botticelli]]'s ''[[Punishment of the Sons of Korah]]'', 15th century]]
Aaron appears paired with Moses frequently in Jewish and Christian art, especially in the illustrations of manuscript and printed Bibles.<ref name=watt3>{{harvnb|Watts|2013}}{{page needed|date=May 2015}}</ref> He can usually be distinguished by his priestly vestments, especially his turban or miter and jeweled breastplate. He frequently holds a [[censer]] or, sometimes, his flowering rod. Aaron also appears in scenes depicting the wilderness Tabernacle and its altar, as already in the third-century frescos in the [[Dura-Europos synagogue|synagogue]] at [[Dura-Europos]] in Syria. An eleventh-century portable silver altar from [[Fulda]], Germany depicts Aaron with his censor, and is located in the [[Musée de Cluny]] in Paris. This is also how he appears in the frontispieces of early printed Passover Haggadot and occasionally in church sculptures. Aaron has rarely been the subject of portraits, such as those by [[Anton Kern]] [1710–1747] and by [[Pier Francesco Mola]] [{{Circa|1650}}].<ref name=Kline>{{harvnb|Kline|2010}}</ref> Christian artists sometimes portray Aaron as a prophet<ref>Exodus 7:1</ref> holding a scroll, as in a twelfth-century sculpture from the [[Noyon Cathedral|Cathedral of Noyon]] in the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]], New York and often in Eastern Orthodox icons. Illustrations of the [[Golden Calf]] story usually include him as well – most notably in [[Nicolas Poussin]]'s ''[[The Adoration of the Golden Calf]]'' ({{Circa|1633}}–34, [[National Gallery]], London).<ref>{{harvnb|National Gallery|2013}}</ref> Finally, some artists interested in validating later priesthoods have painted the ordination of Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8). [[Harry Anderson (artist)|Harry Anderson]]'s realistic portrayal is often reproduced in the literature of the [[Latter Day Saints]].<ref group ="note">Harry Anderson's ''Aaron Is Called to the Ministry'' is in the Conference Center of the LDS Church in Salt Lake City, Utah.</ref><ref name=watt3/>

Aaron has been depicted in Exodus-related drama, such as ''[[The Ten Commandments (1956 film)|The Ten Commandments]]'' (1956) and ''[[Exodus: Gods and Kings]]'' (2014).<ref name="Lyden 2009">{{cite book |last1=Lyden |first1=John C. |title=The Routledge Companion to Religion and Film |date=7 May 2009 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-22066-2 |page=390 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=09KLAgAAQBAJ&dq=%22The+Ten+Commandments%22+aaron+%22John+Carradine%22&pg=PA390 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ScreenRant 2014">{{cite news |last1=Kendrick |first1=Ben |title='Exodus: Gods and Kings': Differences Between the Movie & the Bible |url=https://screenrant.com/exodus-gods-kings-movie-differences-bible-scripture/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=[[Screen Rant]] |date=12 December 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Harun]]
* [[Moses in rabbinic literature]]
* [[Y-chromosomal Aaron]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|2|group="note"}}

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|20em}}

==References==
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite web |author= --- (Atlas Tours) |url= http://www.atlastours.net/jordan/aarons_tomb.html| title= Aaron's Tomb, Petra |publisher= Atlas Travel and Tourist Agency |access-date= 29 Apr 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080726195041/http://www.atlastours.net/jordan/aarons_tomb.html| archive-date=July 26, 2008| url-status= live}}
* {{cite book |last= Ali |first= Abdullah Yusuf |title= The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary |publisher= Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an |year= 1998 |language= En,Ar |isbn= 978-0-940368-31-6 }}
* {{cite book |author=[[Baha'u'llah]] |translator=[[Shoghi Effendi]] |title= The Kitab-i-Iqan: The Book of Certitude |year= 2003 |orig-date= 1861 |isbn= 978-1-931847-08-7 |publisher= Baha'i Pub. }}
* {{cite book |author1= Bahá'u'lláh |author2= 'Abdu'l-Bahá |title= Selected Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá |year= 1976 |publisher= US Bahá'í Publishing Trust }}
*{{cite book |author= Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-a| title= Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part A |publisher= The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |year= 2001 |orig-date= 1979 |location= Salt Lake City, UT }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |editor1-last= Freedman |editor1-first= David Noel |editor2-last= Beck |editor2-first= Astrid P. |editor3-last= Myers |editor3-first= Allen C. |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=P9sYIRXZZ2MC&q=A+priestly+descendant+of+Aaron+is+an+Aaronite&pg=PA1| encyclopedia= Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible |publisher= William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company |year= 2000 |title= Aaron |location= Grand Rapids, MI |pages= 1–2 |isbn= 978-0-8028-2400-4 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last= Glasse |first= Cyril |encyclopedia= Concise Encyclopedia of Islam |title= Aaron |publisher= Harper & Row |year= 1989 |isbn= 978-0-06-063123-9 }}
*{{cite encyclopedia |last1= Gutstein |first1= Morris A. |editor-last= Johnston |editor-first= Bernard |encyclopedia= Collier's Encyclopedia |title= Aaron |edition= 1st |year= 1997 |publisher= P.F. Collier |volume= I: A to Ameland |location= New York, NY }}
* {{cite book |last1= Harbour |first1= Brian |last2= Reed |first2= Wilma |last3= Tinsley |first3= William |title= The Gospel of Luke: Journeying to the Cross (Adult Study Guide) |year= 2005 |isbn= 978-1-931060-69-1 |publisher= BaptistWay Press }}
* {{cite book |last= Ibn Hisham |first= 'Abd al-Malik |title= The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ishaq's Sirat Rasul Allah |others= Translated by A. Guillaume |year= 1967 |orig-date= 1955 |publisher= Pakistan Branch Oxford University Press| location= Lahore, Pakistan }}
* {{cite web |last= Kline |first= Fred R. |url= http://www.klinegallery.com/Mola_01.html |title= Aaron, Holy to the Lord |year= 2010 |website= Kline Gallery |access-date= July 20, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120907152018/http://www.klinegallery.com/Mola_01.html |archive-date= September 7, 2012 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last= Kohler |first= Kaufmann |editor-last= Singer |editor-first= Isidore |url= http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=4&letter=A&search=aaron#18| encyclopedia= The Jewish Encyclopedia: A Descriptive Record of the History, Religion, Literature, and Customs of the Jewish People from Earliest Times: Complete in Twelve Volumes |title= Aaron – In Apocryphal and Rabbinical Literature (Moses and Aaron Compared) & (Death of Aaron) |year= 1906 |asin= B000B68W5S |publisher= Ktav Publishing House }}
* {{cite book |last= Lings |first= Martin |author-link= Martin Lings |title= Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_VdTAAAAYAAJ&q=wonderment+Aaron| year= 1983 |publisher= HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. |isbn= 978-0-04-297050-9 }}
* {{cite web |last= Mariottini |first= Claude |url= http://claudemariottini.com/the-priestly-benediction-numbers-624-26/| title= The Priestly Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26 |date= 17 March 2006 |website= Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old Testament |access-date= 1 May 2014 }}
* {{cite book |editor-last= Mays |editor-first= James L. |title= The HarperCollins Bible Commentary |year= 2000 |orig-date= 1988 |publisher= HarperSanFrancisco |location= San Francisco, CA |edition= Revised |isbn= 0-06-065548-8 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last= McCurdy |first= J. Frederic |editor-last= Singer |editor-first= Isidore |url= http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=4&letter=A&search=aaron#18| encyclopedia= The Jewish Encyclopedia: A Descriptive Record of the History, Religion, Literature, and Customs of the Jewish People from Earliest Times: Complete in Twelve Volumes |title= Aaron – Biblical Data (Death) |year= 1906 |asin= B000B68W5S |publisher= Ktav Publishing House }}
* {{cite web |author= National Gallery |year= 2013 |url= http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/nicolas-poussin-the-adoration-of-the-golden-calf| title= The Adoration of the Golden Calf |website= National Gallery }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last= Olson |first= Dennis T. |editor1-last= Freedman |editor1-first= David Noel |editor2-last= Myers |editor2-first= Allen C. |editor3-last= Beck |editor3-first= Astrid B. |title= Aaron |encyclopedia= Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible |year= 2000 |publisher= William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company |location= Grand Rapids, MI |isbn= 978-0-8028-2400-4 |edition= 1st |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/eerdmansdictiona0000unse }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |editor-last= Rockwood |editor-first= Camilla |year= 2007 |edition= 8th |isbn= 978-0550-10200-3 |publisher= Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltc. |location= Edinburgh, UK |encyclopedia= Chambers Biographical Dictionary |title= Aaron }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last= Souvay |first= Charles Léon |editor1-last= Herbermann |editor1-first= Charles G. |editor2-last= Pace |editor2-first= Edward A. |editor3-last= Fallen |editor3-first= Conde B. |editor4-last= Shahan |editor4-first= Thomas J. |editor5-last= Wynne |editor5-first= John J. |title= Aaron |encyclopedia= The Catholic Encyclopedia |volume= I: A — Assize |publisher= Robert Appleton Co. |location= New York, NY |asin= B006UETSQM |year= 1913 |pages= 5–7 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last= Steinmetz |first= Sol |encyclopedia= Dictionary of Jewish Usage: A Guide to the Use of Jewish Terms |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=crESCkypt5MC&q=a+priestly+descendant+of+aaron+is+an+aaronite+or+(kohen%7Ccohen)&pg=PA95 |publisher= Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |location= Lanham, MD |year= 2005 |title= kohen |pages= 95–96 |isbn= 978-0-7425-4387-4 }}
* {{cite book |last= VanderKam |first= James C. |title= From Joshua to Caiaphas: High Priests after the Exile |year= 2004 |publisher= Augsburg Fortress Publishers |isbn= 0-8006-2617-6 |location= Minneapolis, MN}}
* {{cite journal|last=Watts|first=James W.|title=Illustrating Leviticus: Art, Ritual, Politics|journal=Biblical Reception|date=2013|volume=2|pages=3–15}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last= Wells |first= John C. |title= Aaron |encyclopedia= Longman Pronunciation Dictionary |publisher= Longman |location= Harlow, UK |year= 1990 |isbn= 978-0-582-05383-0 }}
* {{cite web |last= Wheeler |first= Brannon |url= http://www.usna.edu/Users/humss/bwheeler/aaron.html| title= Tomb of Aaron |publisher= United States Naval Academy |access-date= 29 Apr 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080624203348/http://www.usna.edu/Users/humss/bwheeler/aaron.html| archive-date=June 24, 2008| url-status= live |year= 2013 |website= usna.edu }}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal |last1= Aberbach |first1= Moses |last2= Smolar |first2= Leivy |date= June 1967 |title= Aaron, Jeroboam and the Golden Calves |journal= Journal of Biblical Literature |volume= 86 |issue= 2 |pages= 129–140 |doi=10.2307/3263268| jstor= 3263268 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |editor-last= Ginzberg |editor-first= Louis |title= The Legends of the Jews (7 vols.)| others= Translated by Henrietta Szold & Paul Radin |location= Philadelphia, PA |publisher= Jewish Publication Society of America |year= 1909–1938 |lccn= 0901-4182 }}
* {{cite book |last= Kaufmann |first= Yehezkel |title= The Religion of Israel: From its Beginnings to the Babylonian Exile |others= Translated and abridged by Moshe Greenberg |location= New York, NY |publisher= Schocken Books |year= 1960 |lccn= 6000-5466 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1= Kennet |first1= R. H. |author-link1= R. H. Kennett |doi= 10.1093/jts/os-VI.22.161 |title= The Origin of the Aaronite Priesthood |journal= The Journal of Theological Studies |issue= 22 |pages= 161–186 |date= January 1905 |url= https://zenodo.org/record/2083722 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last1= McCurdy |first1= J. Frederic |last2= Kohler |first2= Kaufmann |author-link= J. Frederic McCurdy |url= http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=4&letter=A&search=Aaron |title= Aaron |encyclopedia= The [[Jewish Encyclopedia]] |publisher= [[Funk and Wagnalls]] |year= 1901 }} ''which cites''
** ''[[Book of Numbers|Numbers]] Rabbah'' 9
** ''[[Leviticus]] Rabbah'' 10
** ''Midrash Peṭirat Aharon'' in [[Adolf Jellinek|Jellinek]]'s ''Bet ha-Midrash'', 1:91–95
** ''Yalḳuṭ [[Book of Numbers|Numbers]]'' 764
** {{cite encyclopedia |last= Baring-Gould |first= Sabine |author-link= Sabine Baring-Gould |title= Legends of Old Testament Characters |volume= II: From the Talmud and Other Sources |year= 2009 |publisher= BiblioBazaar |isbn= 978-1-1037-2117-7 |orig-date= 1871 }}
** {{cite book |author= Elʻazar ben Asher, ha-Leṿi |translator=[[Moses Gaster|M. Gaster]] |title= The Chronicles of Jerahmeel |pages= [https://archive.org/details/chroniclesofjera00elea/page/130 130–133] |lccn=44034408 |year= 1899 |publisher= The Royal Asiatic Society |location= London |title-link= Chronicles of Jerahmeel }}
** {{cite book |last= Holweck |first= Frederick G. |author-link= Frederick George Holweck |title= A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints |location= St. Louis, MO |publisher= B. Herder Book Co |year= 1924 }}
* {{cite journal |last= Meek |first= Theophile James |title= Aaronites and Zadokites |journal= The American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures |volume= 45 |issue= 3 |date= April 1929 |pages= 149–166 |publisher= The University of Chicago Press |location= Chicago |doi=10.1086/370226| s2cid= 170552287 }}
* {{cite book |last= Meek |first= Theophile James |title= Hebrew Origins |edition= Revised |location= New York |publisher= Harper & Brothers |year= 1950 |orig-date= 1936 |lccn= 5001-1526 }}
* {{cite journal |last= Watts |first= James W. |title= Aaron and the Golden Calf in the Rhetoric of the Pentateuch |journal= Journal of Biblical Literature |date= Fall 2011 |volume= 130 |issue= 3 |pages= 417–430 |url= http://surface.syr.edu/rel/14/ |publisher= Society of Biblical Literature |issn= 0021-9231 |doi= 10.2307/41304211 |jstor= 41304211 |s2cid= 44054114 }}

'''References in the Qur'an'''
* Aaron's prophecy: {{qref|4|163}}, {{qref|6|84}},
* Aaron is made helper of Moses: {{qref|19|53}}, {{qref|25|35}}, {{qref|26|13}}, {{qref|28|34}}, {{qref|28|35}}
* Aaron and Moses sent to Pharaoh: {{qref|23|45}}, {{qref|10|75}}, {{qref|10|87}}, {{qref|21|48}}
* Praise for Aaron: {{qref|37|114}}, {{qref|37|114}}, {{qref|37|118}}, {{qref|37|119}}, {{qref|37|120}}, {{qref|37|122}}
* The Golden Calf: {{qref|7|150}}, {{qref|20|94}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wikisource inline}}
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Aaron|volume=1|page=4|first=Stanley Arthur|last=Cook|author-link=Stanley Arthur Cook|short=y}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090528123921/http://english-ingles.com/etymology-of-aaron/ English-Ingles.com – Etymology of Aaron]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090528123921/http://www.mfnames.com/mnames/a/origin-and-meaning-of-aaron.htm MFnames.com – Origin and Meaning of Aaron]
* [http://www.christianiconography.info/aaron.html "Aaron"] at the [http://www.christianiconography.info Christian Iconography] website

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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of High Priests of Israel|High Priest of Israel]]|years=Years unknown}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Aaron}}
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