King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:20 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:20 in the King James Version says “And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.”

Deuteronomy 9:20 · KJV

Prayer

Context

18

And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

19

For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.

20

And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.

21

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

22

And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time. Aaron's guilt in the golden calf incident is explicitly acknowledged - despite his priestly calling, he led the people into idolatry by constructing the idol. God's anger against him was justified.

The phrase very angry...to have destroyed him indicates Aaron stood under sentence of death for covenant violation. Only Moses' intercession preserved him. This demonstrates that even spiritual leaders are not exempt from judgment and depend entirely on mediatorial grace.

Moses' prayer for Aaron also shows the scope of faithful intercession - Moses advocated not only for the people generally but specifically for his brother who bore particular responsibility. This illustrates Christ's advocacy for individual believers, not just the church corporately.

Aaron's restoration to priestly service after this sin demonstrates God's grace in using flawed instruments. The high priesthood would descend through Aaron's line despite his failure, pointing forward to the perfect High Priest who knows no sin.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Aaron served as Israel's first high priest, mediating between God and people. His complicity in the golden calf incident revealed the inadequacy of human mediators, all of whom need mediation themselves. This points forward to Christ, the sinless High Priest who needs no advocate.

That Aaron continued in priestly ministry after this failure demonstrates God's sovereign grace in calling and using imperfect servants.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Aaron's failure demonstrate that even religious leaders depend wholly on grace?
  2. What does it reveal about Moses' character that he interceded specifically for Aaron?
  3. How does the flawed Aaronic priesthood highlight the necessity of Christ's perfect priesthood?
  4. Why does God continue to use imperfect servants in His redemptive purposes?
  5. What comfort does Aaron's restoration offer to believers who have failed significantly?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן1 of 11

“for Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

הִתְאַנַּ֧ף2 of 11

“angry”

H599

to breathe hard, i.e., be enraged

יְהוָ֛ה3 of 11

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מְאֹ֖ד4 of 11

“was very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

לְהַשְׁמִיד֑וֹ5 of 11

“to have destroyed”

H8045

to desolate

וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל6 of 11

“him and I prayed”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

גַּם7 of 11
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בְּעַ֥ד8 of 11
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן9 of 11

“for Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

בָּעֵ֥ת10 of 11

“also the same time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הַהִֽוא׃11 of 11
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 9:20 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 9:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 32:35Hebrews 7:26-28Exodus 32:21Exodus 32:2-5

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