The Levites

3 This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses^(A) at the time the Lord spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai.^(B)

² The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn^(C) and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.^{(D) 3} Those were the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests,^(E) who were ordained to serve as priests. ⁴ Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the Lord^(F) when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai.^(G) They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar^(H) served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.^(I)

³² The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar^(A) son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible^(B) for the care of the sanctuary.^(C)

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.