And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.

EXODUS 4:27KJV
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Exodus 4:27 (KJV)

What does Exodus 4:27 mean?

Exodus 4:27 describes how God told Aaron to go into the wilderness to meet Moses, and Aaron obeyed, finding Moses at the mountain of God and greeting him with a kiss. This moment marks the reunion of the two brothers as they prepare to carry out God’s instructions together.

In this verse, the LORD (God) speaks directly to Aaron, instructing him to leave where he is and seek out Moses, who has just received his own calling from God. The meeting takes place at the “mount of God,” often understood as Mount Sinai, and the kiss shows a warm, familial greeting. This sets the stage for Aaron and Moses to work together in leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 4:27

  • יְהוָה (YHWH, transliterated as "Yahweh"): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing that the instruction comes directly from the God of Israel, not through a messenger.
  • מִדְבָּר (midbar, “wilderness”): The word points to a remote, unsettled place, highlighting that Moses is not in a city or village but in a place set apart, which often has spiritual significance in the Bible.
  • הַר (har, “mount”): Refers to a mountain, here called the “mount of God,” which is a significant location for encounters with God in Exodus.
  • נָשַׁק (nashaq, “kissed”): This verb describes a customary greeting in the ancient world, showing affection and acceptance between Aaron and Moses.

Why Exodus 4:27 matters

  • Exodus 4:27 shows that Aaron’s journey to meet Moses was not accidental or self-initiated; it was prompted by a direct command from God, underscoring God’s orchestration of events.
  • The meeting at the “mount of God” connects this moment to other key events at Sinai, hinting at the mountain’s ongoing importance in Israel’s story.
  • The greeting with a kiss highlights the restored relationship and unity between Moses and Aaron, which is essential for their joint mission to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites.

Where else these words appear

“met” Hebrew H6298 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 32:17 And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?
  • 2 Samuel 2:13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
  • Proverbs 22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

“kissed” Hebrew H5401 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 27:26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
  • Exodus 18:7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

“meet” Hebrew H7125 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • Judges 7:24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.
  • 1 Kings 2:8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.