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Moses and Aaron's Family
This passage pauses the larger story to identify Moses and Aaron within Israel’s families. It traces the lines of Reuben, Simeon and especially Levi, then returns to the moment when Yahweh sent Moses to speak to Pharaoh.
Understanding the passage
Understanding this family record
The passage itself begins by naming the heads of fathers’ houses and listing family lines from Reuben and Simeon before focusing on Levi and his descendants. It then identifies Aaron and Moses within that line and ends by repeating Yahweh’s command to Moses and Moses’ concern about speaking.
Exodus 6:14–30Main takeaway
This genealogy shows clearly who Moses and Aaron are, placing their work within Levi’s family line and linking their family identity to Yahweh’s command.
Follow the family lines
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Families of Reuben and SimeonThe list begins with “the heads of their fathers’ houses” and names the families of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, and then Simeon.
Explanation
The list begins with “the heads of their fathers’ houses” and names the families of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, and then Simeon. This opening shows that the passage is organised by family groups. One detail is added about Shaul, who is called “the son of a Canaanite woman”, showing the list gives selected family information, not just names alone.
02Levi’s line receives special attentionAfter Reuben and Simeon, the passage slows down over Levi. It names Levi’s three sons, Gershon, Kohath and Merari, and also records Levi’s age.
Explanation
After Reuben and Simeon, the passage slows down over Levi. It names Levi’s three sons, Gershon, Kohath and Merari, and also records Levi’s age. Then each branch is traced further. This extra detail signals that Levi’s family is the main focus here, preparing for the identification of Moses and Aaron within that line.
03Moses and Aaron are located in the familyKohath’s son Amram married Jochebed, and she bore Aaron and Moses. The passage also names other relatives, including Izhar’s and Uzziel’s sons, Aaron’s wife Elisheba, Aaron’s sons, and then Eleazar’s son Phinehas.
Explanation
Kohath’s son Amram married Jochebed, and she bore Aaron and Moses. The passage also names other relatives, including Izhar’s and Uzziel’s sons, Aaron’s wife Elisheba, Aaron’s sons, and then Eleazar’s son Phinehas. The repeated mention of “families” and “fathers’ houses” shows that this is a careful family reference, especially for the Levites.
04The family list leads back to Yahweh’s messageThe genealogy is not separate from the main account. It ends by saying, “These are that Aaron and Moses” whom Yahweh told to bring Israel out of Egypt and who spoke to Pharaoh.
Explanation
The genealogy is not separate from the main account. It ends by saying, “These are that Aaron and Moses” whom Yahweh told to bring Israel out of Egypt and who spoke to Pharaoh. Then the passage returns to Yahweh’s words to Moses and Moses’ reply that he is “of uncircumcised lips”, connecting the family record with his calling.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does the passage spend more time on Levi than on Reuben or Simeon?
Notice how Reuben and Simeon are listed briefly, while Levi’s descendants are traced through several generations until the text identifies Aaron and Moses by name.
02What details show that this is a structured family record rather than a story scene?
Look for repeated phrases such as “these are the families” and “heads of the fathers’ houses”, and for the sequence of sons, wives and descendants.
03How do verses 26 to 30 connect the genealogy back to Moses’ task?
The text identifies this same Aaron and Moses as the ones Yahweh sent to bring Israel out and to speak to Pharaoh, then repeats Yahweh’s command and Moses’ concern about speaking.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Exodus 6:14–30
14These are the heads of their fathers’ houses. The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben.
15The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon.
16These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari; and the years of the life of Levi were one hundred thirty-seven years.
17The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families.
18The sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years.
19The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.
20Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. The years of the life of Amram were one hundred thirty-seven years.
21The sons of Izhar: Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.
22The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.
23Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
24The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.
25Eleazar Aaron’s son took one of the daughters of Putiel as his wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families.
26These are that Aaron and Moses to whom Yahweh said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.”
27These are those who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron.
28On the day when Yahweh spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,
29Yahweh said to Moses, “I am Yahweh. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I tell you.”
30Moses said before Yahweh, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh listen to me?”