What Special Privileges Were Given to Aaron at Mount Sinai?
The events at Mount Sinai were a turning point in Israel’s history. God established His covenant with the nation, gave His law, and appointed leaders to guide His people in worship and obedience. Among those leaders, Aaron—the brother of Moses—was given unique privileges that set him apart from the rest of Israel. These privileges not only marked Aaron’s special role but also foreshadowed greater truths about God’s plan for redemption.
Aaron’s privileges included direct encounters with God’s presence, the high priestly office, exclusive access to the Holy of Holies, and divine affirmation of his priesthood. The Bible’s account of these honors reveals both the seriousness of God’s holiness and the gracious way He provides a mediator for His people.
1. Invitation to Witness God’s Glory on the Mountain
One of Aaron’s greatest privileges at Mount Sinai was being invited to ascend part of the mountain in the company of Moses, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel (Exodus 24:9–11). There, they “saw the God of Israel” in a unique manifestation of His glory, with a pavement “like a sapphire stone” beneath His feet.
This event was unlike the experience of the rest of Israel, who were warned not to approach the mountain under penalty of death (Exodus 19:12–13). Aaron’s inclusion in this select group showed his elevated status in God’s covenant purposes. While he did not ascend into the cloud where God spoke to Moses, he was given a visible sign of God’s presence—an honor that would strengthen his role as a spiritual leader.
2. Appointment as Israel’s First High Priest
At Sinai, God formally chose Aaron and his descendants to serve as priests (Exodus 28:1). This appointment made Aaron the spiritual head of Israel’s worship, standing between God and the people. The high priesthood was a covenant institution, ensuring that sacrifices, intercession, and blessings would be carried out according to God’s instructions.
Aaron’s consecration was marked by an elaborate ceremony (Exodus 29:1–9) in which he was washed, clothed with sacred garments, and anointed with holy oil. This ceremony not only set Aaron apart for service but also symbolized the purity and dedication required to minister before the Lord.
3. Privilege of Wearing Sacred Vestments
As high priest, Aaron was granted the privilege of wearing garments rich in symbolic meaning (Exodus 28:2–43). These included:
The ephod with onyx stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel.
The breastplate of judgment with twelve precious stones, each representing a tribe.
The robe of the ephod with bells and pomegranates along its hem.
The turban with a gold plate inscribed “Holy to the Lord.”
These garments were not merely decorative—they carried covenant significance. Aaron bore the names of Israel before the Lord on his heart and shoulders, symbolizing his role as the representative of the entire nation in God’s presence.
4. Exclusive Access to the Holy of Holies
Another special privilege given to Aaron was the unique authority to enter the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2–34). On that day, Aaron would offer sacrifices for his own sins and for the sins of the people, sprinkling blood on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.
This access to the innermost sanctuary symbolized the need for a mediator between God and His people. It also pointed forward to the work of Christ, who entered the true heavenly sanctuary “by His own blood” to secure eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11–12).
5. Oversight of the Tabernacle and Priestly Ministry
God entrusted Aaron with the supervision of the Tabernacle and the instruction of the priests (Numbers 18:1–7). This role carried both honor and responsibility, as improper handling of sacred duties could result in death (Leviticus 10:1–2). Aaron’s leadership ensured that Israel’s worship remained aligned with God’s commands, preserving the covenant relationship.
Aaron’s responsibilities included maintaining the altar, caring for the lampstand, overseeing offerings, and ensuring that the holy things of the Lord were treated with reverence. These duties reinforced his role as the chief steward of Israel’s covenant worship.
6. Divine Affirmation Through Miraculous Signs
Aaron’s priesthood was confirmed through miraculous events, the most famous being the budding of his rod (Numbers 17:8). When Israel challenged Aaron’s authority, God commanded each tribal leader to place a rod before the Lord. Aaron’s rod miraculously sprouted buds, blossoms, and ripe almonds overnight, proving God’s choice of him for the priesthood.
This sign silenced opposition and reaffirmed that Aaron’s position was divinely appointed, not merely a human arrangement. It was a visible reminder that God Himself establishes the means of approaching Him.
7. Fulfillment of Aaron’s Privileges in Christ
While Aaron’s privileges at Mount Sinai were great, they were only a shadow of the privileges given to Jesus Christ as the great High Priest of the new covenant. Christ not only enters the true Holy of Holies but remains there continually as our intercessor (Hebrews 7:25). His garments are not made with hands but are the very righteousness and glory of God.
Where Aaron offered repeated sacrifices, Christ offered Himself once for all. Where Aaron’s priesthood was limited to his family line, Christ’s priesthood is eternal and open to all who belong to Him by faith. The privileges Aaron enjoyed at Sinai find their ultimate meaning in the perfect work of the Messiah.
Conclusion: The Purpose of Aaron’s Privileges
Aaron’s privileges at Mount Sinai were not given for personal glory but for the good of God’s people. They ensured that Israel had a divinely appointed mediator, a clear system of worship, and visible signs of God’s holiness and grace.
For the church today, Aaron’s privileges remind us that access to God is a gift of His mercy, made possible through the work of our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Just as God affirmed Aaron’s role with unmistakable signs, He has affirmed Christ’s role through the resurrection, guaranteeing the security of all who trust in Him.
Bible Verses About Aaron’s Privileges at Mount Sinai
Exodus 24:9–10 – “Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And under His feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, as clear as the sky itself.”
Exodus 28:1 – “Bring near to you your brother Aaron, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, so that he may minister to Me as a priest.”
Exodus 28:29 – “Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes into the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.”
Exodus 29:7 – “Then you shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him.”
Leviticus 16:2 – “Tell Aaron your brother that he must not enter at any time into the Holy Place within the veil before the mercy seat… so that he may not die.”
Leviticus 16:34 – “This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year.”
Numbers 18:7 – “I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”
Numbers 17:8 – “Now on the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the rod of Aaron… had sprouted and put forth buds, produced blossoms, and yielded ripe almonds.”
Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 9:11–12 – “But when Christ came as a High Priest of good things to come… by His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
