Beth-El Baptist Church

09/06/2009

Greg Tomlinson


Were Aaron and Moses gathered to the same place?


Since Deuteronomy 32:50 separately identify Aaron and Moses being “gathered unto his people”, some see in the terminology an indication that Moses departed earth and entered into heaven while Aaron departed earth and entered into hell especially as a result of the golden calf incident and his rebuke of Moses.


  1. What is the use of “gathered unto his people”?

Genesis 25:7-12, 16-19; 35:27-36:1; 49:28-50:2

Numbers 31:1-2 Judges 2:8-10

2 Kings 22:18-20 2 Chronicles 34:26-28

Matthew 22:29-33 Mark 12:24-27

Luke 20:34-38 Ezekiel 18:4

Deuteronomy 32:48-33:1


The phrase of being “gathered unto his people” and other such derivatives, is primarily used as a literary marker indicating the completion of one heritage and the beginning of another. It is used of Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, and the generation of Joshua. It is used of none of the other patriarchs. In the phrase itself, there can be no indication of whether the one being gathered entered into heaven or hell since believers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses) and unbelievers (Ishmael). There are a couple of views that could be the basis of understanding of the phrase. It could simply mean that they will be in the grave just as their fathers before them entered into the grave. Most likely though is that it is an indication that in a sense, they will still live either in judgment or redemption. The question at hand is whether or not Aaron and Moses (Deuteronomy 32:50) were gathered to the same people (grave or redeemed, or different unredeemed/redeemed).


  1. Is there any significant difference regarding the death of Aaron and Moses?

Numbers 20:23-29; 27:12-14 Numbers 17:5-7; 20:7-13


The stated reason for their deaths prior to entering into the promised land is the same. They did not honor God at the waters of Meribah. Nothing is specifically stated about Aaron's sins dealing with the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-35) nor Aaron's rebelling with Miriam against Moses regarding his Ethiopian wife (Numbers 12:1-16). At this point there does not appear to be any reason to separate the eternal destiny of Aaron and Moses.


  1. Do we know if Aaron went to heaven or hell?

Deuteronomy 29:29 1 Corinthians 4:2-4


The first thing to note is that the eternal resting place of any and all individuals rests solely with Christ. Any information that is not clearly spelled out is information that belongs to God and God alone. God may or may not allow us to know the eternal resting place of certain individuals.


Exodus 4:27-30; 6:13; 7:1-6; 16:32-34; 19:21-24; 24:1-2; 28:1-4, 12, 29-38

Exodus 32:1-8, 19-27, 33-35; 40:12-14

Leviticus 8:14-24; 9:22-10:3; 16:1-16

Numbers 12:1-12; 12:1-5; 16:16-22, 45-50; 17:1-9; 20:7-13

Deuteronomy 9:18-21

Psalm 99:5-7; 105:24-27; 106:16

Hebrews 5:1-5


According to the scriptures, Aaron was the Priest of God for Israel and he was brought near to God in ways that only himself and Moses were brought forth. Although the sin of Aaron was great, his acceptance of God extended beyond the time of his sins of the golden calf and his argument with Moses. David referred to Aaron as the “chosen” of the Lord and as the “saint of the LORD”. These titles of honor would be consistent with titles of eternal acceptance by God. The assumption then would be that Aaron would be in heaven.


  1. Do we know if Moses went to heaven or hell?

Exodus 3:3-6, 11-15, 33:17-23 Numbers 12:5-8

Psalm 106:23, 31-33 Jeremiah 15:1-2

Malachi 4:4-6 Matthew 17:1-5

Mark 9:1-6 Luke 9:28-33

John 5:44-47; 7:19-23; 9:29 Acts 7:35-39

Hebrews 3:5-6; 11:24-29 Jude 1:9


The scriptures are clear that Moses met with God face to face. Moses is called the Servant of God. Though he sinned against God, yet the scriptures are clear that Moses would be in heaven. He even appeared with Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration indicating his state of salvation.


According to the scriptures, it would appear that Moses and Aaron would both be in heaven. The statement in Deuteronomy 32:50 concerning the gathering of Moses to his people and the gathering of Aaron to his people is not an indication of accepting Moses and rejection of Aaron, but that both are to be gathered and continue to dwell according as God has chosen.