King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 10:6 Mean?

Deuteronomy 10:6 in the King James Version says “And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and th...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.”

Deuteronomy 10:6 · KJV

Context

4

And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me. commandments: Heb. words

5

And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.

6

And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.

7

From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters.

8

At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.

Read Deuteronomy 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried. Aaron's death reminds us that even the high priest was mortal, unable to continue forever in his mediatorial role. This points forward to the necessity of an eternal, unchanging High Priest.

The historical note about Israel's journey situates Aaron's death geographically and chronologically. These specific location markers ground biblical history in actual space and time - these are not myths but events that occurred at identifiable places.

That Aaron died and was buried emphasizes his humanity. Despite his exalted office as high priest, he could not escape death's penalty on sin. The Aaronic priesthood required continuous succession because each priest eventually died.

Hebrews 7:23-24 contrasts this with Christ's priesthood: because Christ lives forever, His priesthood is permanent and unchanging. He needs no successor and offers complete, eternal salvation to those who come to God through Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Aaron died on Mount Hor at age 123, shortly before Israel's fortieth year in the wilderness (Numbers 33:38-39). His son Eleazar succeeded him as high priest, beginning the dynastic succession that continued until the Babylonian exile.

Mosera (also called Mount Hor) was in the region of Edom, east of Canaan. Aaron's death there prevented him from entering the Promised Land due to his sin at Meribah.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Aaron's mortality reveal about the inadequacy of the old covenant priesthood?
  2. How does the need for priestly succession highlight the superiority of Christ's eternal priesthood?
  3. Why does Scripture give specific geographical details about biblical events?
  4. What does Aaron's exclusion from Canaan teach about consequences of sin even for spiritual leaders?
  5. How does Christ's eternal priesthood provide greater assurance than the changing Aaronic priesthood?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
בְּנ֖וֹ1 of 16

“And the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל2 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

נָֽסְע֛וּ3 of 16

“took their journey”

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

מִבְּאֵרֹ֥ת4 of 16
H881

beeroth, a place in palestine

בְּנ֖וֹ5 of 16

“And the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יַעֲקָ֖ן6 of 16

“from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan”

H885

beeroth-bene-jaakan, a place in the desert

מֽוֹסֵרָ֑ה7 of 16

“to Mosera”

H4149

moseroth, a place in the desert

שָׁ֣ם8 of 16
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מֵ֤ת9 of 16

“died”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אַֽהֲרֹן֙10 of 16

“there Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וַיִּקָּבֵ֣ר11 of 16

“and there he was buried”

H6912

to inter

שָׁ֔ם12 of 16
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וַיְכַהֵ֛ן13 of 16

“ministered in the priest's office”

H3547

to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia

אֶלְעָזָ֥ר14 of 16

“and Eleazar”

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

בְּנ֖וֹ15 of 16

“And the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

תַּחְתָּֽיו׃16 of 16
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 10:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 33:38Numbers 20:23-28Numbers 33:30-33Numbers 10:6Numbers 10:12-13Numbers 33:1-2

Places in This Verse

Beeroth Bene-jaakanSettlement · Modern: Birein · 30.79°N, 34.47°E1 verse across 1 book
MoserothCampsite · Modern: Har Zin · 30.83°N, 35.06°E3 verses across 2 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 10 →

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