What is the context?
The account pauses between God’s renewed command and the next meeting with Pharaoh to identify the men He has sent. It begins with the families of Reuben and Simeon, then gives more detail about Levi’s family. Reuben, Simeon and Levi are the first three sons in the sequence.
Within Levi’s descendants, the record names Amram and Jochebed as the parents of Aaron and Moses. It also names Aaron’s wife Elisheba and their sons, then continues through Eleazar to Phinehas. The genealogy places the brothers within the family of Israel and gives particular attention to Aaron’s line.
Verses 26–27 make the purpose explicit: these are the Aaron and Moses commanded to bring Israel out and sent to speak to Pharaoh. The final verses return to the conversation about that commission. Moses again raises his difficulty speaking, carrying the account into God’s answer in chapter 7.
How is this passage commonly understood?
The shared reading sees the genealogy as establishing the family identity of God’s appointed servants. Wesley and the Catholic USCCB notes explain the opening names as leading to Levi and then to Moses and Aaron.
One family relationship is read differently. Wesley takes the description of Jochebed in verse 20 more broadly as a kinswoman. Calvin and the USCCB notes understand her as Amram’s paternal aunt. The BSB retains the wording his father’s sister. These are different readings of the relationship, rather than a difference about which men God commissioned.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The family record helps explain a distinction the New Testament later makes about priesthood. Aaron and his descendants belong to Levi. Hebrews 7:11–17 contrasts the priesthood associated with Aaron with that of Jesus, who comes from Judah and is priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews grounds Jesus’ priesthood in the power of His indestructible life. Knowing the family line named here helps readers understand that comparison: the later argument is about how Christ’s enduring priesthood differs from a priesthood passed through Aaron’s family.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.