Read & explore together
Aaron’s priesthood, vestments, and inheritance are celebrated
Sirach 45:6–22 praises Aaron by describing the priesthood God gave him. The passage highlights his covenant, his sacred garments, his priestly work, the judgement on those who opposed him, and the Lord as his inheritance.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
These verses speak about Aaron, Moses’ brother from the tribe of Levi. They say God established an everlasting covenant with him, clothed him for priestly service, appointed him to offer sacrifice and teach Israel, judged those who conspired against him, and gave him a distinct inheritance. This is from the Catholic additional books.
Sirach 45:6–22Main takeaway
Sirach presents Aaron’s priesthood as a holy calling given by God, marked by service, remembrance, teaching, and dependence on the Lord.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Aaron is exalted and given the priesthoodThe passage begins by saying Aaron was exalted as a holy man like Moses, and identifies him as Moses’ brother from Levi.
Explanation
The passage begins by saying Aaron was exalted as a holy man like Moses, and identifies him as Moses’ brother from Levi. God established an everlasting covenant with him and gave him the priesthood of the people. His glorious robe shows that this role carries honour as well as responsibility.
02His garments show splendour, holiness, and remembranceSirach carefully lists Aaron’s clothing and symbols of authority: linen trousers, long robe, ephod, bells, embroidered colours, precious stones, and a gold crown engraved “HOLINESS”.
Explanation
Sirach carefully lists Aaron’s clothing and symbols of authority: linen trousers, long robe, ephod, bells, embroidered colours, precious stones, and a gold crown engraved “HOLINESS”. Some items are called a reminder for the people, and the Urim and Thummim are named as an oracle of judgment.
03His priestly work serves God and the peopleThe passage says no stranger put these garments on, but only his sons and offspring perpetually.
Explanation
The passage says no stranger put these garments on, but only his sons and offspring perpetually. Aaron is consecrated by Moses and anointed with holy oil. His work includes sacrifice, incense, blessing the people in God’s name, making atonement, and teaching Jacob and Israel the testimonies and law.
04Opposition is judged, and the Lord is his inheritanceSirach recalls that Dathan and Abiram with their company, and the congregation of Korah, conspired against Aaron.
Explanation
Sirach recalls that Dathan and Abiram with their company, and the congregation of Korah, conspired against Aaron. The Lord saw this and they were destroyed. Yet Aaron received added glory and a heritage through first fruits and sacrifices, even though he had no inheritance in the land, because the Lord was his portion.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What do Aaron’s garments communicate about his role?
Notice the words about splendour, authority, reminders, and the engraving “HOLINESS” when you answer.
02Which priestly tasks are named in this passage?
List the actions the text gives Aaron, including worship, blessing, atonement, and teaching.
03How does the passage describe Aaron’s inheritance?
Pay attention to both the gifts from sacrifices and the final statement that the Lord himself is his portion.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 45:6–22
6He exalted Aaron, a holy man like Moses, even his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
7He established an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the people. He blessed him with stateliness, and dressed him in a glorious robe.
8He clothed him in perfect splendor, and strengthened him with symbols of authority: the linen trousers, the long robe, and the ephod.
9He encircled him with pomegranates; with many golden bells around him, to make a sound as he went, to make a sound that might be heard in the temple, for a reminder for the children of his people;
10with a holy garment, with gold, blue, and purple, the work of the embroiderer; with an oracle of judgment—Urim and Thummim;
11with twisted scarlet, the work of the craftsman; with precious stones engraved like a signet, in a setting of gold, the work of the jeweller, for a reminder engraved in writing, after the number of the tribes of Israel;
12with a crown of gold upon the mitre, having engraved on it, as on a signet, “HOLINESS”, an ornament of honor, the work of an expert, the desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful.
13Before him there never have been anything like it. No stranger put them on, but only his sons and his offspring perpetually.
14His sacrifices shall be wholly burned, twice every day continually.
15Moses consecrated him, and anointed him with holy oil. It was an everlasting covenant with him and to his offspring, all the days of heaven, to minister to the Lord, to serve as a priest, and to bless his people in his name.
16He chose him out of all living to offer sacrifice to the Lord— incense, and a sweet fragrance, for a memorial, to make atonement for your people.
17He gave to him in his commandments, authority in the covenants of judgments, to teach Jacob the testimonies, and to enlighten Israel in his law.
18Strangers conspired against him and envied him in the wilderness: Dathan and Abiram with their company, and the congregation of Korah, with wrath and anger.
19The Lord saw it, and it displeased him. In the wrath of his anger, they were destroyed. He did wonders upon them, to consume them with flaming fire.
20He added glory to Aaron, and gave him a heritage. He divided to him the first fruits of the increase, and prepared bread of first fruits in abundance.
21For they eat the sacrifices of the Lord, which he gave to him and to his offspring.
22However, in the land of the people, he has no inheritance, and he has no portion among the people, for the Lord himself is your portion and inheritance.