The Death of Aaron

22 The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh(A) and came to Mount Hor.(B) 23 At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom,(C) the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people.(D) He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command(E) at the waters of Meribah.(F) 25 Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor.(G) 26 Remove Aaron’s garments(H) and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people;(I) he will die there.”

27 Moses did as the Lord commanded: They went up Mount Hor(J) in the sight of the whole community. 28 Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar.(K) And Aaron died there(L) on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain, 29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died,(M) all the Israelites mourned for him(N) thirty days.

Arad Destroyed

21 When the Canaanite king of Arad,(O) who lived in the Negev,(P) heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. Then Israel made this vow(Q) to the Lord: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy[a](R) their cities.” The Lord listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites(S) over to them. They completely destroyed them(T) and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.[b](U)

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 21:2 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them; also in verse 3.
  2. Numbers 21:3 Hormah means destruction.

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