The Church Fathers on this verse

Numbers 3:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

These are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the Lord spoke to Moses in mount Sinai.

Douay-Rheims

וְאֵ֛לֶּה תּוֹלְדֹ֥ת אַהֲרֹ֖ן וּמֹשֶׁ֑ה בְּי֗וֹם דִּבֶּ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּהַ֥ר סִינָֽי׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Wlastow G.K.

19th centuryCommentator

Genealogy, or toledoth, is a term frequently encountered in Scripture (Genesis 5:1, 6:9, 11:10-27, 36; Ruth 4) to signify the initiation of a new phase in a nation's journey, wherein the descendants of a noted ancestor are called to a renewed significance. In the Holy Scripture, the recording of births signifies the commencement of a fresh display of God's Providence, guiding a people or lineage toward a fuller and more perfect growth. For instance, consider the listing of generations pertaining to Moses and particularly to Aaron in Exodus 6, where God’s Providence was not only preparing to lead the Israelites out of Egypt but also to establish their communal life and Divine worship.

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It is important to note that only the lineage of Aaron is mentioned here, as his descendants were the designated priests of Israel. The exaltation of Moses did not stem from hereditary claims, nor did he seek prominence for his physical heirs. In Exodus 32:10 and Numbers 14:12, we see the Lord proposing to forge a mighty nation through Moses, yet Moses intercedes for Israel. In his spirit, Moses perceives only the One about whom it is declared: I will raise up a prophet like you, and I will put my words in his mouth (Deuteronomy 18:18).

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.