Numbers 20:27

KJV

And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} did {H6213} as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680}: and they went up {H5927} into mount {H2022} Hor {H2023} in the sight {H5869} of all the congregation {H5712}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe did as ADONAI had ordered. They went up onto Mount Hor before the eyes of the whole community.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation.

American Standard Version

And Moses did as Jehovah commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 20:27 chronicles a solemn and pivotal moment in the wilderness journey of Israel, detailing Moses' immediate and public obedience to the LORD's command regarding the impending death of his brother, Aaron. This verse serves as the narrative prelude to the transfer of the high priestly office from Aaron to his son Eleazar on Mount Hor, powerfully underscoring divine sovereignty, the consequences of disobedience, and the essential continuity of the priesthood, all enacted in the full view of the entire Israelite congregation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a critical narrative of transition and judgment in the book of Numbers. Immediately preceding it, God pronounces that both Moses and Aaron will not enter the Promised Land because of their disobedience at the waters of Meribah, where Moses struck the rock rather than speaking to it as commanded ([Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - The Waters of Meribah - Moses' Disobedience")). The LORD then explicitly commands Moses to take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor, where Aaron's priestly garments are to be transferred to Eleazar before Aaron's death ([Numbers 20:23-26](/numbers/20-23-26 "Numbers 20:23-26 - God's Command Regarding Aaron's Death and Eleazar's Succession")). Verse 27 describes Moses' faithful and prompt execution of this divine instruction, serving as the narrative bridge to the actual transfer of the priesthood and Aaron's passing detailed in the subsequent verses ([Numbers 20:28-29](/numbers/20-28-29 "Numbers 20:28-29 - Aaron's Death and Eleazar's Succession")). It is a moment of both profound sorrow and meticulous divine order, ensuring the legitimate continuation of sacred office.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 20 occur towards the end of Israel's forty years of wilderness wandering, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. Mount Hor is traditionally located on the border of Edom, a significant geographical marker that would have been recognizable to the Israelites. In ancient Israelite culture, the high priesthood was not merely a religious office but a foundational pillar of the nation's identity and covenant relationship with Yahweh. The transfer of this office was a matter of immense public and spiritual significance, ensuring the continuity of the sacrificial system and the mediation between God and His people. The public nature of this event—"in the sight of all the congregation"—was crucial for establishing legitimacy, demonstrating divine judgment, and reinforcing the people's understanding of God's absolute authority over life, death, and leadership succession within the covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 20:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the paramount importance of **Obedience to Divine Command**, even when the command is difficult or involves personal loss, as seen in Moses' immediate and unwavering action. Secondly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute authority over life and death, and His righteous accountability even for His chosen leaders who fail to fully obey, as previously stated in [Numbers 20:24](/numbers/20-24 "Numbers 20:24 - God's Judgment on Aaron"). Thirdly, the verse is integral to the theme of **Succession and Continuity of Priesthood**, ensuring the unbroken line of the Aaronic priesthood, which was vital for Israel's spiritual life and worship. Finally, the phrase "in the sight of all the congregation" emphasizes **Public Witness and Accountability**, transforming a solemn leadership transition into a visible lesson for the entire community about God's dealings with His people and their leaders.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Moses (Hebrew, _Môsheh'_):** This name (H4872), meaning "drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued," identifies the central figure of the narrative, the Israelite lawgiver. In this verse, his actions demonstrate his characteristic obedience to God's will, even in the face of profound personal sorrow and a difficult command, highlighting his role as God's faithful servant despite his earlier lapse at Meribah.
* **commanded (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** The verb (H6680), meaning "to constitute, enjoin," emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the instruction given by the LORD. It underscores that Moses' actions were not of his own initiative but a direct fulfillment of a specific, non-negotiable directive from God concerning Aaron's death and the priestly succession.
* **congregation (Hebrew, _ʻêdâh'_):** This feminine noun (H5712), referring to "a stated assemblage," signifies the entire community of Israel. Its inclusion here highlights the public nature of Aaron's death and Eleazar's succession, ensuring that the legitimacy of the transfer of the high priesthood and the divine judgment upon Aaron were witnessed and understood by all, reinforcing God's order and authority within the nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses did as the LORD commanded":** This opening clause immediately establishes Moses' complete and unwavering obedience. Despite the personal grief and the gravity of the task—leading his brother to his death and overseeing the transfer of his sacred office—Moses executes God's command without hesitation or protest. This highlights Moses' exemplary submission to divine authority, a core principle of faithful leadership within the covenant.
* **"and they went up into mount Hor":** This describes the action taken, fulfilling the specific geographical instruction given by God. "They" refers to Moses, Aaron, and Eleazar, the three individuals directly involved in this solemn procession. The ascent to Mount Hor signifies a journey to a divinely appointed place for a sacred and consequential act—the transfer of the high priesthood and Aaron's death—a place set apart for the unfolding of God's sovereign will.
* **"in the sight of all the congregation":** This final phrase underscores the public nature of the event. The entire community of Israel witnessed this solemn procession, transforming a personal tragedy and leadership transition into a communal lesson. This public witness ensured transparency in the leadership succession, validated Eleazar's new role, and served as a powerful, visible reminder of God's sovereignty, His righteous judgment, and the importance of obedience for both leaders and the people.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 20:27 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound meaning. The verse functions as a powerful **Narrative Fulfillment**, directly responding to and executing the divine command given in the preceding verses ([Numbers 20:23-26](/numbers/20-23-26 "Numbers 20:23-26 - God's Command Regarding Aaron's Death and Eleazar's Succession")), thereby demonstrating the immediate and complete obedience of Moses. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the ascent to Mount Hor explicitly anticipates Aaron's death and the subsequent transfer of the high priestly office to Eleazar, which is detailed in the very next verses. The phrase "did as the LORD commanded" serves as a form of **Emphasis** through its repetition of a key theme throughout the Pentateuch, highlighting the paramount importance of obedience in the covenant relationship between God and His people. Furthermore, the setting of "mount Hor" can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical location but a sacred space where divine will, judgment, and the continuity of God's covenant structures are enacted publicly and decisively.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 20:27 is rich with theological significance, serving as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty, His righteous judgment, and His meticulous ordering of His covenant people. It underscores that even the most revered leaders are accountable to God and not exempt from the consequences of disobedience, as seen in Aaron's fate. Yet, in His judgment, God also demonstrates His faithfulness by orchestrating a seamless transition of the high priesthood, ensuring the continuity of the sacred office essential for Israel's worship and atonement. Moses' immediate obedience, even in sorrow, exemplifies the ideal response to divine command, highlighting that true faith involves submission to God's will regardless of personal cost or understanding. This event publicly reinforces the divine authority behind the priesthood and the necessity of its proper succession for the ongoing spiritual life of the nation.

* [Deuteronomy 34:5](/deuteronomy/34-5 "Deuteronomy 34:5 - Moses' Death on Mount Nebo") - Just as Aaron died by divine command on Mount Hor, Moses would later die by divine command on Mount Nebo, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all life, even His chosen leaders.
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice") - This verse powerfully echoes the principle of obedience demonstrated by Moses, emphasizing that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams."
* [Hebrews 5:4](/hebrews/5-4 "Hebrews 5:4 - Call to Priesthood") - The transfer of the priesthood from Aaron to Eleazar highlights that "no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was," reinforcing the divine appointment and sacred nature of the priestly office.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 20:27 offers profound lessons for believers today, primarily centered on the nature of obedience, accountability, and trusting God's sovereign plan. Moses' immediate and public obedience to a difficult command—leading his brother to his death—challenges us to consider our own willingness to submit to God's will, especially when it involves personal sacrifice, sorrow, or a path we do not understand. It reminds us that true faith is demonstrated not just in easy affirmations but in costly, unwavering action, even when the divine command seems counter-intuitive or personally painful. Furthermore, the public nature of this event underscores the principle of accountability, particularly for those in leadership. God's dealings with His leaders are often transparent, serving as a powerful witness and lesson for the entire community about the gravity of spiritual responsibility. In moments of transition, loss, or difficult change within our own lives or communities, this passage encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan for continuity and purpose, even when it involves the passing of old orders or beloved figures, knowing that His divine order will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Moses' obedience in this difficult moment challenge your own willingness to obey God, especially when it involves personal sacrifice or sorrow?**
* **What does the public nature of this event teach us about accountability in leadership within the church or community today?**
* **How can we better trust God's sovereign plan during times of transition or loss in our own lives, drawing lessons from the continuity of the priesthood here?**

### FAQ
**Why was Aaron not permitted to enter the Promised Land?**

Answer: Aaron, along with Moses, was barred from entering the Promised Land due to an act of disobedience at the waters of Meribah, as recorded in [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - The Waters of Meribah - Moses' Disobedience"). God had commanded Moses to *speak* to the rock to bring forth water for the thirsty Israelites. However, in a moment of frustration and anger, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, seemingly acting out of his own impatience and failing to fully trust and honor God's specific instruction. God declared that because they "did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites," they would not lead the congregation into the land He had given them. This highlights the severe consequences of disobedience, particularly for those in positions of leadership who are called to perfectly represent God's holiness and faithfulness.

**What was the significance of transferring Aaron's garments to Eleazar?**

Answer: The transfer of Aaron's priestly garments to his son Eleazar, as detailed in [Numbers 20:28](/numbers/20-28 "Numbers 20:28 - Aaron's Death and Eleazar's Succession"), was a profoundly significant ritual. The high priestly garments were not merely clothing but sacred vestments imbued with symbolic meaning, representing the authority, holiness, and mediatorial role of the high priest. By transferring these garments, the high priestly office, with all its responsibilities and divine appointment, was officially passed from Aaron to Eleazar. This act ensured the unbroken continuity of the Aaronic priesthood, which was absolutely essential for the spiritual life, worship, and atonement system of Israel. It demonstrated God's faithfulness in maintaining the covenant relationship with His people through an established and divinely sanctioned priesthood, even in the midst of judgment and transition.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 20:27, with its depiction of Aaron's death and the transfer of the high priesthood, points powerfully to the ultimate and eternal High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The temporary nature of the Aaronic priesthood, marked by death and succession, underscores its inherent limitations and its inability to provide a perfect, permanent atonement. Each high priest, like Aaron, was mortal and flawed, requiring a successor. This constant cycle of death and replacement in the Levitical system, as highlighted in [Hebrews 7:23](/hebrews/7-23 "Hebrews 7:23 - Many Priests Because of Death"), ultimately foreshadowed the coming of a High Priest who would not be subject to death. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, holds His priesthood permanently because He lives forever ([Hebrews 7:24](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - Christ's Permanent Priesthood")). Unlike Aaron, who died due to disobedience, Christ perfectly fulfilled all righteousness through His life of unwavering obedience to the Father, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death")). His sacrifice was not a temporary covering but a perfect, once-for-all atonement ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Thus, the solemn transition on Mount Hor, ensuring the continuity of a flawed priesthood, ultimately directs our gaze to the Lamb of God, who, through His eternal priesthood and perfect sacrifice, truly takes away the sin of the world and offers eternal life to all who believe ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.