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 20:26
strip Aaron of his garments--that is, his pontifical robes, in token of his resignation. (See Isa 22:20-25).
put them on his son--as the inauguration into his high office. Having been formerly anointed with the sacred oil, that ceremony was not repeated, or, as some think, it was done on his return to the camp.
John Gill on Numbers 20:27
And Moses did as the Lord commanded,.... Though it must be very cutting, distressing, and afflicting to him, to part with a brother so dear to him, and who had been so many years a companion of him, and a partner with him in the care and government of the people of Israel; but it being the Lord's will, he submits unto it, and faithfully and readily obeyed his orders, as he always did:
and they went up into Mount Hor, in the sight of all the congregation; that is, Moses, Aaron, and Eleazar, and perhaps there might be some others that went with them as servants, to attend them and assist them in some things to be done, particularly in the burial of Aaron; they all saw Aaron go up, but he came…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn 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.…
