The genealogy of Moses and Aaron

6:14 These are the heads of their fathers’ households: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn son of Israel, were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These were the clans of Reuben. 6:15 The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon. 6:16 Now these are the names of the sons of Levi, according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (The length of Levi’s life was 137 years.) 6:17 The sons of Gershon, by their families, were Libni and Shimei. 6:18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (The length of Kohath’s life was 133 years.) 6:19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of Levi, according to their records. 6:20 Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. (The length of Amram’s life was 137 years.) 6:21 The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zikri. 6:22 The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 6:23 Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 6:24 The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the Korahite clans. 6:25 Now Eleazar son of Aaron married one of the daughters of Putiel and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ households of Levi according to their clans. 6:26 It was the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their regiments.” 6:27 They were the men who were speaking to Pharaoh king of Egypt, in order to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. It was the same Moses and Aaron. 6:28 When the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 6:29 he said to him, “I am the Lord. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I am telling you.” 6:30 But Moses said before the Lord, “Since I speak with difficulty, why should Pharaoh listen to me?”

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

This passage lists the family lines of Israel, then narrows to Levi, Amram, Aaron, and Moses. It shows that Moses and Aaron were not self-made leaders. They were men from a real covenant family, chosen by the Lord to bring Israel out of Egypt. The passage ends by repeating Moses’ concern that he is not able to speak well.

The genealogy is not filler. It has a clear purpose. It begins with the sons of Reuben and Simeon, then turns to Levi. From Levi it moves to Kohath, then to Amram, and then to Aaron and Moses. This shows where these men came from and why their role in Israel was legitimate.

The passage also lists Aaron’s wife, his sons, and Eleazar’s son Phinehas. These names matter because the priestly line will continue through them. The text is careful and orderly. It gives a sense of public record and historical truth.

At the end, the Lord’s commission is repeated. The same Aaron and Moses named in the family list are the very men the Lord sent to confront Pharaoh. Moses still feels weak and says he speaks with difficulty. But his weakness does not cancel God’s call. The Lord’s word stands.

• God works through real family lines and real history.
• Moses and Aaron were chosen by the Lord, not appointed by themselves.
• The genealogy confirms Levi’s line and prepares for the priestly office.
• Moses still felt weak in speech, but God’s command remained in force.
• Ordinary names and generations matter in God’s providence.

• The Lord had told Moses and Aaron to bring Israel out of Egypt.
• Moses continued to object that Pharaoh would not listen because of his speech difficulty.
• The passage warns against thinking God’s call depends on human strength.
• It also warns against reading the genealogy as mere filler or private family history only.

This passage stands at the edge of the exodus. It roots the deliverer in Levi’s line and shows that God is carrying out his covenant plan through generations. It also prepares for Aaron’s priestly role, which will matter under the covenant that follows. The genealogy helps bridge the promise to the actual rescue of Israel from Egypt.

Believers should remember that God often works through ordinary people, family lines, and steady faithfulness. Ministry should not be self-chosen; it must rest on God’s call and word. Moses’ weakness is a comfort too: feeling inadequate does not stop God’s purpose. The Lord can use weak servants while still calling them to obey.

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