Category:Aaron (subject)

BACK TO THE PEOPLE--INDEX

According to Jewish (Christian, and Islamic) traditions, Aaron was the brother of Moses, the first High Priest, and the forefather of all priestly families (see Aaronites).

Overview

In earlier sources Aaron is said to have been sent by God, together with his siblings Moses and Miriam, to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. No specific priestly functions are attributed to him.

In post-exilic sources Aaron is given much greater prominence as the first High Priest and the forefather of the Jewish priesthood; the Sons of Aaron thus become a separate and privileged class among the Sons of Levi.

Aaron in ancient sources

See Aaron (sources) -- survey of ancient sources

Aaron in Literature & the Arts

See Aaron--fiction (art, cinema, literature, music)

Aaron does not often appear in works of fiction and even more rarely as protagonist, or even co-protagonist. Aaron is a secondary character in the narrative of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, in the shadow of his brother Moses.

The most conspicuous exceptions are the 1650 painting by Mola, the recent novel by Rives, and the opera Moses und Aaron by Schonberg.