King James Version

What Does Numbers 20:28 Mean?

Numbers 20:28 in the King James Version says “And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the moun... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.

Numbers 20:28 · KJV


Context

26

And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.

27

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

28

And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.

29

And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses 'stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount.' The succession was complete—Aaron died immediately after divesting, emphasizing that his role was finished and God's purposes continue through new leadership. Death on the mountaintop parallels Moses' later death on Nebo, both excluded from Canaan yet granted dignified, ordered transitions.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Aaron's death at 123 years old (33:39) ended 40 years of high priesthood from Sinai's golden calf incident until this moment. His burial place on Mount Hor remained known in ancient times (Deuteronomy 32:50).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's timing of Aaron's death teach about His sovereignty over leadership transitions?
  2. How can you finish well in your calling, even when disqualified from certain future hopes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיַּפְשֵׁט֩1 of 21

stripped

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

מֹשֶׁ֛ה2 of 21

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶֽת3 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַֽהֲרֹ֛ן4 of 21

Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אֶת5 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּגָדָ֗יו6 of 21

of his garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וַיַּלְבֵּ֤שׁ7 of 21

and put

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

אֹתָם֙8 of 21
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֶת9 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְאֶלְעָזָ֖ר10 of 21

and Eleazar

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

בְּנ֔וֹ11 of 21

his son

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

וַיָּ֧מָת12 of 21

died

H4191

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

אַֽהֲרֹ֛ן13 of 21

Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

שָׁ֖ם14 of 21
H8033

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

בְּרֹ֣אשׁ15 of 21

there in the top

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הָהָֽר׃16 of 21

from the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וַיֵּ֧רֶד17 of 21

came down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מֹשֶׁ֛ה18 of 21

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאֶלְעָזָ֖ר19 of 21

and Eleazar

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

מִן20 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָהָֽר׃21 of 21

from the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Numbers 20:28 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 Numbers 20:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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