Matthew Henry on Numbers 20:22–end
The chapter began with the funeral of Miriam, and it ends with the funeral of her brother Aaron. When death comes into a family, it often strikes double. Israel had not improved the former affliction they were under, by the death of the prophetess, and therefore, soon after, God took away their priest, to try if they would lay that to heart. This happened at the very next stage, when they removed to Mount Hor, fetching a compass round the Edomites' country, leaving it on their left hand. Wherever we go, death attends us, and the graves are ready for us.
I. God bids Aaron die, Num 20:24. God takes Moses and Aaron aside, and tells them, Aaron shall be gathered to his people. These two dear bro…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 20:24
Aaron shall be gathered unto his people--In accordance with his recent doom, he, attired in the high priest's costume, was commanded to ascend that mountain and die. But although the time of his death was hastened by the divine displeasure as a punishment for his sins, the manner of his death was arranged in tenderness of love, and to do him honor at the close of his earthly service. His ascent of the mount was to afford him a last look of the camp and a distant prospect of the promised land. The simple narrative of the solemn and impressive scene implies, though it does not describe, the pious resignation, settled faith, and inward peace of the aged pontiff.
John Gill on Numbers 20:25
Take Aaron and Eleazar his son,.... His eldest son, who was to succeed him in the priesthood, and did:
and bring them up unto Mount Hor; to the top of it, they being now at the foot of it, where the people of Israel lay encamped.
John Calvin on Numbers 20:23–end
Numbers 20:23-29
23. And the Lord spoke unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
23. Dixit autem Jehova ad Mosen et Aharon in monte Hor, in finibus terrae Edom, dicendo:
24. Aaron shall be gathered unto his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of' Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
24. Congregabitur Aharon ad populos suos.: Non enim ingredietur terram quam dedi filiis Israel: eo quod rebelles fueritis ori meo in aquis jurgii.
25. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor;
25. Accipe Aharon et Eleazar filium ejus, et ascendere fac eos in Hor montem.…
