Mount Hor seems to have stood on the western border of Edom (v. 23).176
Aaron died on the first day of the fifth month in Israel's fortieth year (33:37-38). He was 123 years old (33:39).
Before Aaron died, Moses formally removed his brother's high priestly vestments and clothed Eleazer, Aaron's son, with them. Israel now had a new high priest.177
God has not revealed how Aaron died. His disobedience to God at Meribah near Kadesh led to a premature death (v. 12). Aaron appears to have been a man of weak will whom the people rather easily influenced to compromise his obedience to God's word. Nevertheless he was an extremely important individual because of his ministry, his office, and his role as founder of the Aaronic priesthood. His great responsibilities before God were second only to his privileges under God.
"So ends the dark chapter. In it has been recorded the death of a prophetess, the critical sin of Moses and Aaron, the refusal of negotiation, the death of Aaron, and the mourning of the people. The chapter has emphasized the limitations of man--even God's leaders! Now with a brighter spotlight on the grace and glory of God, Numbers resumes its story of advance."178
