And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.

DEUTERONOMY 10:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 10:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 10:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 10:6 records a change in Israel’s priestly leadership during the people’s journey. Aaron died and was buried at Mosera, and his son Eleazar took his place as priest.

The verse appears within Moses’ account of Israel’s time in the wilderness. The words “in his stead” mark the transfer from father to son, while the mention of Aaron’s burial fixes the event at a named stopping place.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 10:6

  • “ministered in the priest’s office” — כָּהַן (kahan): This verb means to serve as a priest. It describes the role Eleazar took up, rather than merely giving him a title.

Why Deuteronomy 10:6 matters

  • The verse connects a journey record with a change in leadership. The place names trace Israel’s movement, but the account pauses at Mosera to identify Aaron’s successor.
  • Eleazar’s appointment follows Aaron’s death, not a break in service. The phrase “his son” identifies the family relationship, and “in his stead” says Eleazar took over Aaron’s role.
  • Numbers 20:22–29 also describes Aaron’s death and Eleazar’s succession, but names Mount Hor as the place of Aaron’s death. Deuteronomy 10:6 names Mosera in its account.

Where else these words appear

“Mosera” Hebrew H4149 · used in 3 verses

  • Numbers 33:30 And they departed from Hashmonah, and encamped at Moseroth.
  • Numbers 33:31 And they departed from Moseroth, and pitched in Benejaakan.

“office” Hebrew H3547 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
  • Exodus 31:10 And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,
  • Numbers 3:3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.

“Eleazar” Hebrew H499 · used in 70 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 27:2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
  • Joshua 22:32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.

“buried” Hebrew H6912 · used in 122 verses

  • Genesis 15:15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
  • Ruth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
  • 2 Kings 15:7 So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.