Exodus 6:20
And Amram married his father's sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.
Amram married his father's sister Jochebed
The name "Amram" in Hebrew means "exalted people," which is fitting as he is the father of two of the most significant leaders in Israel's history, Aaron and Moses. The phrase "his father's sister" indicates a close familial relationship, which was not uncommon in ancient times for maintaining tribal and familial purity. Jochebed, whose name means "Yahweh is glory," is a pivotal figure as the mother of Moses, the deliverer of Israel. This marriage highlights the providential hand of God in orchestrating the lineage through which He would deliver His people.

and she bore him Aaron and Moses
The birth of Aaron and Moses is significant in the narrative of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Aaron, whose name means "mountain of strength," would become the first high priest, establishing the priestly line. Moses, meaning "drawn out," is a direct reference to his being drawn out of the Nile, symbolizing his future role in drawing the Israelites out of Egypt. This phrase underscores the divine purpose and calling on their lives from birth, setting the stage for their roles in God's redemptive plan.

Amram lived 137 years
The lifespan of Amram, 137 years, reflects the longevity of the patriarchs and leaders in the early biblical narrative. This extended lifespan allowed for the transmission of faith and tradition through generations. It also emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant promises from the patriarchs to the time of the Exodus. The specific mention of his age serves as a historical anchor, situating the events within a broader timeline of God's unfolding plan for His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Amram
A member of the tribe of Levi, Amram is the father of Aaron and Moses. His marriage to Jochebed, his father's sister, is noted in this verse, highlighting the familial lineage of two significant biblical figures.

2. Jochebed
The mother of Aaron and Moses, Jochebed is a key figure in the preservation and upbringing of Moses, who would later lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

3. Aaron
The elder brother of Moses, Aaron becomes the first high priest of Israel and plays a crucial role in the Exodus account and the establishment of the priesthood.

4. Moses
One of the most prominent figures in the Bible, Moses is chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai.

5. Levi
The tribe of Levi is significant in Israel's history, as it is the tribe from which the priestly line is established. Amram and Jochebed's lineage is rooted in this tribe.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Family Lineage
Understanding the family lineage of biblical figures like Moses and Aaron helps us appreciate God's providential plan in history. It reminds us that God often works through families to accomplish His purposes.

Faith and Courage in Adverse Circumstances
Jochebed's faith and courage in protecting Moses serve as an example for believers to trust God and act righteously, even when facing difficult circumstances.

God's Sovereign Choice
The selection of Moses and Aaron from the tribe of Levi underscores God's sovereign choice in raising leaders for His people. It encourages us to recognize and accept God's calling in our own lives.

The Role of Women in God's Plan
Jochebed's role highlights the significant impact women have in God's redemptive history. It challenges us to value and support the contributions of women in the faith community.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the family lineage of Moses and Aaron, as described in Exodus 6:20, reflect God's providential plan for Israel?

2. In what ways does Jochebed's faith and courage inspire you to trust God in your own life circumstances?

3. How does the role of the tribe of Levi in the biblical account influence our understanding of spiritual leadership today?

4. What lessons can we learn from the way God used Amram and Jochebed's family to fulfill His purposes?

5. How can we apply the example of Jochebed's faith to support and encourage the role of women in our church and community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 26:59
This verse provides additional genealogical information about Amram and Jochebed, confirming their roles as the parents of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

Hebrews 11:23
This verse highlights the faith of Moses' parents, who hid him for three months after his birth, recognizing that he was no ordinary child and not fearing the king's edict.

Exodus 2:1-10
This passage details the birth and early life of Moses, including Jochebed's actions to save him from Pharaoh's decree.
Shaken Faith, and an Unshaken PurposeJ. Orr Exodus 6:9-14, 28-30
A Panoramic Glance At HistoryJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 6:14-27
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 6:14-27
The Genealogical TableHenry, MatthewExodus 6:14-27
The Genealogy of the ChurchJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 6:14-27
The Genealogy of Moses and AaronJ. Orr Exodus 6:14-28
People
Aaron, Abiasaph, Abihu, Amminadab, Amram, Assir, Canaanitish, Carmi, Egyptians, Eleazar, Elisheba, Elkanah, Elzaphan, Enoch, Gershon, Hanoch, Hezron, Isaac, Israelites, Ithamar, Izhar, Jachin, Jacob, Jamin, Jemuel, Jochebed, Kohath, Korah, Korahites, Korhites, Levi, Levites, Libni, Mahali, Mahli, Merari, Mishael, Moses, Mushi, Naashon, Nadab, Nahshon, Nepheg, Ohad, Pallu, Phallu, Pharaoh, Phinehas, Putiel, Reuben, Saul, Shaul, Shimei, Shimi, Simeon, Uzziel, Zichri, Zithri, Zohar
Places
Canaan, Egypt
Topics
Aaron, Amram, Amram's, Aunt, Bare, Beareth, Birth, Bore, Father's, Hundred, Jochebed, Joch'ebed, Length, Married, Seven, Sister, Taketh, Thirty, Thirty-seven, Wife
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 6:20

     5072   Aaron, spokesman
     5720   mothers, examples

Exodus 6:14-25

     7266   tribes of Israel

Exodus 6:16-20

     7767   priests, OT institution

Library
To the Saddest of the Sad
I often wonder what those preachers do who feel called to make up their message as they go on; for if they fail, their failure must be attributed in great measure to their want of ability to make up a moving tale. They have to spread their sails to the breeze of the age, and to pick up a gospel that comes floating down to them on the stream of time, altering every week in the year; and they must have an endless task to catch this new idea, or, as they put it, to keep abreast of the age. Unless, indeed,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

From Egypt to Sinai.
Ex. Chs. 1-19 Israel in Egypt. The length of time the Hebrews remained In Egypt is a perplexing question. Exodus 6:16-20 makes Moses the fourth generation from Levi (See Gen. 15:16; Num. 26:57-59). This would make it about 150 years. Gen. 15:13 predicts 400 years. Ex. 12:40 says they were there 430 years and Paul (Gal. 3:17) says 430 years from Abraham to Sinai. These apparently conflicting dates may be explained because of different methods of counting generations, probably based on long lives of
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

Fourth Day. Holiness and Revelation.
And when the Lord saw that Moses turned aside to see, He called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And He said, Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. And Moses hid his face, for He was afraid to look upon God.'--Ex. iii. 4-6. And why was it holy ground? Because God had come there and occupied it. Where God is, there is holiness; it is the presence of God makes holy. This is the
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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