Meaning of Exodus 6:20

This verse from Exodus 6:20 names the parents of Aaron and Moses, identifying them as Amram and Jochebed. It specifies Jochebed as Amram’s aunt, a union that, while seemingly problematic by later Levitical law, was permissible within the patriarchal lineage and the specific social customs of that era. The verse serves to firmly establish the lineage of these pivotal figures in Israelite history, grounding their divine commission in a tangible family tree and emphasizing their direct descent from the patriarchs. The mention of Amram's lifespan, while seemingly a biographical detail, also underscores the longevity of the early generations, placing the events of the Exodus within a historical continuum.

Context and Background

The immediate context of Exodus 6:20 is the genealogy of Moses and Aaron, presented as a prelude to God's reaffirmation of His covenant with Israel and His commission to Moses to lead them out of Egypt. Chapter 6 begins with God speaking to Moses, reminding him of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and asserting His own name, Yahweh. This genealogical account, therefore, is not merely incidental but serves to link Moses and Aaron directly to the covenant promises made to the patriarchs, assuring them of their rightful place and divine mandate. The specific detail of Jochebed being Amram's father's sister (Levite lineage) is important for understanding the priestly line, as Aaron and his descendants were designated as priests.

Key Themes and Messages

• Genealogy and Covenant: The primary theme is the establishment of a legitimate lineage that connects directly to the covenant promises of God. This emphasizes that God's redemptive plan unfolds through specific families and individuals, chosen and empowered by Him.
• Continuity of God's Plan: By tracing the lineage, the verse highlights the continuity of God's purposes across generations. The faithfulness of God to His promises to Abraham is demonstrated through His continued involvement with their descendants.
• Divine Election: The parentage of Moses and Aaron is significant as they are chosen instruments of God. This verse implicitly points to their divinely ordained roles within the unfolding history of Israel.
• Social Customs and Divine Law: The marriage of Amram and Jochebed, while later prohibited by Levitical law (Leviticus 18:12), reflects the marriage practices prevalent during that patriarchal period. This highlights the evolving nature of God's legislation and its application across different eras.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance lies in understanding that God works through human relationships and families to achieve His purposes. It reminds believers that their own lineage, while not always perfect, can be part of God's unfolding plan. The emphasis on a specific, divinely appointed lineage for leaders like Moses and Aaron encourages faith in God's ability to raise up individuals for His service, regardless of their familial background or societal norms. It also teaches that God's faithfulness extends through generations, a concept that offers comfort and assurance to believers today.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a crucial link in the grand narrative of redemption. It establishes the immediate progenitors of the two most significant leaders of the Exodus, Moses and Aaron. Their very existence and lineage are integral to the story of liberation from Egyptian bondage and the subsequent establishment of Israel as a nation under God's law. The faithfulness of God to His covenant, as recounted in Exodus 6, is directly tied to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and this verse grounds that faithfulness in the specific family of Amram and Jochebed.

Analogies

One analogy could be tracing the lineage of a critical invention or a foundational company. Just as understanding the founders and early engineers of a groundbreaking technology is essential to grasping its development, knowing the parentage of Moses and Aaron helps us understand the origins of Israel's leadership and their pivotal role in their nation's foundational story. Another analogy is a family tree of royal lineage; the legitimacy and right to rule are established through one's ancestors, and similarly, the divine authority of Moses and Aaron is rooted in their specific, divinely acknowledged lineage.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 6:1-9: This passage immediately precedes the verse in question, where God reiterates His covenant promises to Moses and declares His intention to redeem Israel. The genealogy in 6:14-23 provides the human link to those promises.
• Numbers 26:57-59: This passage offers a parallel genealogy of the house of Levi, explicitly mentioning Amram and Jochebed as the parents of Aaron, Moses, and Miriam, further confirming the information in Exodus.
• Leviticus 18:12: This verse, part of the Holiness Code, explicitly states, "You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister; she is your father's near kin." This highlights the shift in acceptable kinship marriages from the patriarchal era to the Mosaic Law, underscoring that while the marriage was permissible at the time, it was later proscribed.
• Hebrews 11:23: This verse in the "Hall of Faith" mentions Moses' parents, stating, "By faith Moses was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict." This alludes to the faith and actions of Amram and Jochebed in protecting their son, implicitly validating their role in God's plan.