Exodus 6:20

This list of Levi's descendants focuses on Aaron and Moses. It shows four generations from Levi to Aaron and Moses (compare Genesis 15:16). The Israelites lived in Egypt for 430 years (see Exodus 12:40–41; Genesis 15:13). So, this list of ancestors does not include many generations.

Genesis 46:11 lists Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. They are Levi's sons who moved to Egypt with their father and Jacob's family. Amram's wife, Jochebed, gave birth to his sons (Exodus 6:20).

The language is clear, so it is likely there are generations not listed between Amram and Aaron and Moses. This suggests the missing generations were between Kohath (Levi's son) and Amram (father of Aaron and Moses).

The list of ancestors now focuses on the descendants of Kohath. It gives more detail about two family lines:

• Aaron, the son of Amram, and

• Korah, the son of Izhar (6:23–24).

It then names one of Aaron’s sons, Eleazar (6:25). The main focus is Aaron’s line through Eleazar, who later received the high priesthood.

Aaron and Korah were cousins. This family connection helps explain why Aaron’s appointment as high priest caused strong resentment in Korah (see Numbers 16:1–3). Conflict within families is not new.

Korah and his sons may be mentioned in detail here because of Korah’s later rebellion. That event made his family line important in Israel’s history.

This section referring to family lineage places Moses and Aaron within the families of Israel. It is obviously background information because 6:30 repeats 6:12. Exodus often emphasizes the Lord as the God of the ancestors, both directly (from 3:6 onward) and indirectly (from 1:1 onward). The upcoming events were not actions by a new god dismissing older gods (a common theme in ancient pagan stories).

Unlike pagan gods, who only want personal power and often fight among themselves, the true God has one main goal. God wants his creation to find fulfillment in a proper relationship with him. Although God shows this purpose through creative acts, these actions always align with what he has already revealed about himself.

Moses and Aaron did not suddenly appear out of the unknown, but were an essential part of that same people to whom God first revealed himself and through whom he was about to give an even grander revelation. The family lineage of Jesus has a similar purpose (Matthew 1:1–16; Luke 3:23–38).