Aaron, Moses' elder brother of the tribe of Levi, was chosen by God as the first high priest of Israel, and his descendants were appointed to carry on the priestly office.
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Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, came to the forefront at the pivotal moment of Israel's exodus from Egypt. When God called Moses to return and deliver Israel, Moses protested that he was not eloquent, and the Lord responded by pointing to Aaron, saying that he could speak well and would come out to meet Moses with a glad heart (Exodus 4:14). Aaron thus became Moses' spokesperson, standing alongside him before Pharaoh as a messenger of God's word. After Israel came out of Egypt and encamped before Mount Sinai, God set apart Aaron and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar to minister as priests (Exodus 28:1), serving in the sanctuary with the duties of sacrifice and worship. From this point the priestly office was established within Aaron's family, continuing from generation to generation as those appointed to offer sacrifices and teach the law on behalf of the people. Later, when Moses laid rods from each tribe before the Lord, the following day Aaron's rod had budded, put forth blossoms, and produced ripe almonds (Numbers 17:8), a divine sign confirming God's choice of the Aaronic line for the priesthood. Aaron's life demonstrates both a complementary partnership with Moses and the founding of Israel's central worship institution. The priestly tradition he established runs throughout the Old Testament and becomes a foundation for later scriptural reflection on a greater priestly ministry.