Aaron (High Priest)

For other uses, see Aaron (disambiguation).
Aaron was the elder brother of Moses, as well as his spokesman, both to the Hebrews, and to the Pharaoh. He later became the first High Priest of the Hebrews.Unknown. (1972). "Aaron", in Leach, M. (ed) Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend. 3rd ed. p.1
== Legend ==
Aaron is said to have used his rod to perform various magics in an attempt to convince the Pharaoh to release the people of Israel, including transforming it into a snake which ate the snakes made from the staves of the Pharaoh's own magicians, and causing three of the Plagues of Egypt (namely turning the river to blood, the frogs, and the lice). 
According to Jewish legend, at the end of his life Aaron was accompanied by Eleazar and Moses to Mt. Hor, where he lay down on a couch in a cave and died, giving the role of High Priest to Eleazar. God then sealed the cave, and when people started accusing Moses of killing him in a fit of jealousy for his popularity, a floating image of Aaron on the couch was shown to them. Aaron is said to be present in paradise, seated beneath the Tree of Life while he instructs the priests. 
According to Muslim tradition, Aaron and Moses went up the mountain knowing one of them was going to die there. In the cave was a coffin, which didn't fit Moses but was the right size for Aaron. 
Another Muslim story is that Moses and Aaron found a house on top of the mountain containing the Couch of Death. Moses recognised that Aaron was to die, and so suggested that Aaron rested on the couch. The couch and Aaron were then transported to heaven. 
== References ==
Category:Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend
Category:Spellcasters