Exodus 6:20 - Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty-seven years.
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What does "Exodus 6:20" mean?
This verse from Exodus 6:20 provides genealogical information about the family of Moses and Aaron, two of the most important figures in the Old Testament. Let's break it down:
"Amram took Jochebed his father's sister to himself as wife..." This part of the verse states that Amram married his aunt (his father's sister), Jochebed. This kind of marriage was acceptable at the time (though later prohibited in the Law of Moses, see Leviticus 18:12-13). Kinship practices and marriage rules have varied across cultures and time periods.
"...and she bore him Aaron and Moses..." Jochebed, as Amram's wife, gave birth to Aaron and Moses. This establishes their parentage, confirming their lineage within the tribe of Levi.
"...and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty-seven years." This simply states Amram's age at the time of his death. Mentioning lifespans was common in genealogies to emphasize lineage and the passing down of traditions.
Significance and Implications:
Genealogy: The verse contributes to the detailed genealogy presented in Exodus 6, emphasizing the lineage of Moses and Aaron within the tribe of Levi. This lineage is crucial for understanding their roles as leaders and religious figures. Aaron would become the first High Priest, and Moses would lead the Israelites out of Egypt and receive the Law at Mount Sinai.
Context within Exodus: Exodus 6 is about God reaffirming his covenant with the Israelites and commissioning Moses and Aaron to lead them out of Egypt. Placing their genealogy within this context highlights their divinely appointed roles and the importance of their heritage.
Moral Considerations: It is important to note that the marriage between Amram and Jochebed would later be forbidden under Mosaic Law (Leviticus 18:12-13). This demonstrates that moral codes can evolve within religious traditions. The Bible does not necessarily endorse every action it describes.
Historical accuracy: The historicity of the Exodus narrative is a topic of debate among historians and archaeologists. Some scholars view the events as historical, while others see them as a combination of historical memory and later theological interpretations. The genealogical details, like this verse, can be seen as reflecting the importance of lineage and tribal identity in ancient Israelite society.
In summary, Exodus 6:20 is a seemingly simple genealogical verse that provides important information about the family of Moses and Aaron. It highlights their lineage, contextualizes their roles within the Exodus narrative, and raises questions about the evolution of moral codes within religious traditions.
Exodus 6:20 - Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty-seven years.
What does "Exodus 6:20" mean?
This verse from Exodus 6:20 provides genealogical information about the family of Moses and Aaron, two of the most important figures in the Old Testament. Let's break it down:
"Amram took Jochebed his father's sister to himself as wife..." This part of the verse states that Amram married his aunt (his father's sister), Jochebed. This kind of marriage was acceptable at the time (though later prohibited in the Law of Moses, see Leviticus 18:12-13). Kinship practices and marriage rules have varied across cultures and time periods.
"...and she bore him Aaron and Moses..." Jochebed, as Amram's wife, gave birth to Aaron and Moses. This establishes their parentage, confirming their lineage within the tribe of Levi.
"...and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty-seven years." This simply states Amram's age at the time of his death. Mentioning lifespans was common in genealogies to emphasize lineage and the passing down of traditions.
Significance and Implications:
Genealogy: The verse contributes to the detailed genealogy presented in Exodus 6, emphasizing the lineage of Moses and Aaron within the tribe of Levi. This lineage is crucial for understanding their roles as leaders and religious figures. Aaron would become the first High Priest, and Moses would lead the Israelites out of Egypt and receive the Law at Mount Sinai.
Context within Exodus: Exodus 6 is about God reaffirming his covenant with the Israelites and commissioning Moses and Aaron to lead them out of Egypt. Placing their genealogy within this context highlights their divinely appointed roles and the importance of their heritage.
Moral Considerations: It is important to note that the marriage between Amram and Jochebed would later be forbidden under Mosaic Law (Leviticus 18:12-13). This demonstrates that moral codes can evolve within religious traditions. The Bible does not necessarily endorse every action it describes.
Historical accuracy: The historicity of the Exodus narrative is a topic of debate among historians and archaeologists. Some scholars view the events as historical, while others see them as a combination of historical memory and later theological interpretations. The genealogical details, like this verse, can be seen as reflecting the importance of lineage and tribal identity in ancient Israelite society.
In summary, Exodus 6:20 is a seemingly simple genealogical verse that provides important information about the family of Moses and Aaron. It highlights their lineage, contextualizes their roles within the Exodus narrative, and raises questions about the evolution of moral codes within religious traditions.