Moses was not perfect, Aaron was not perfect, and we are not perfect.

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These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies” (Ex. 6:26).

Here we have a genealogy that ends in the two great patriarchs, Moses and Aaron. It is put here to validate their lineage, to show that they were Israelites—bone of their bone and flesh of their flesh—whom they were sent to deliver, and were raised up from among their brethren. Just as Jesus Christ was to be prophet and priest, the Redeemer and Lawgiver of the people of Israel, so were Moses and Aaron, as prophet and priest respectively.

There are a few peculiarities in this genealogy. One is that only Reuben and Simeon are mentioned along with Levi, the tribe of Moses and Aaron. Some scholars believe that these two were mentioned by Moses because they were left under marks of infamy by their dying father: Reuben for his incest and Simeon (along with Levi) for the murder of the Shechemites. Therefore, Moses wanted to honor them, and in doing so, magnified God’s mercy in their repentance and remission as a pattern to those who would afterwards believe.

Also notice that Kohath, from whom Moses, Aaron, and all the priests derived their pedigree, was a younger son of Levi. On this, Matthew Henry comments, “The grants of God’s favors do not go by seniority of age and priority of birth, but divine sovereignty often prefers the younger before the elder, so crossing hands.”

Another point of interest is that Amram married Jochebed, his aunt. Later, this sort of union would be forbidden (Lev. 18:12) because it would be considered incestuous. This might have been looked upon as a blot against Moses’ family, even though it occurred before the giving of the Law. Yet Moses did not conceal it, for he sought not his own praise, but wrote the truth, whether it smiled or frowned upon him and his family. This is typical in Scripture. We read about the good and the bad, the failures and the victories of individuals. God does not hide the rough edges of His servants. He forgives them, and the sin is a thing of the past, but it remains the truth. And being the truth, it is an encouragement to us today. Moses was not perfect, Aaron was not perfect, and we are not perfect. Only our God is perfect, and He reminds us that no matter what our lineage, we are His chosen children.

Read the genealogies below. From your knowledge of Scripture, what are some of the dark blots on Jesus’ own genealogy? How did God magnify His grace in those situations? Is there anything in your past of which you are ashamed? Find comfort in these genealogies, that you are imperfect, but that God is gracious




(1998). Tabletalk Magazine, February 1998: Te Absolvum, 21.

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