share torah logo

Exodus 6:20 - Moshe's holy lineage revealed

Exodus 6:20 - שמות 6:20

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקַּח עַמְרָם אֶת־יוֹכֶבֶד דֹּדָתוֹ לוֹ לְאִשָּׁה וַתֵּלֶד לוֹ אֶת־אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת־מֹשֶׁה וּשְׁנֵי חַיֵּי עַמְרָם שֶׁבַע וּשְׁלֹשִׁים וּמְאַת שָׁנָה׃

English Translation

And ῾Amram took him Yokheved his father’s sister to wife; and she bore him Aharon and Moshe: and the years of the life of ῾Amram were a hundred and thirty seven years.

Transliteration

Vayikach Amram et-Yocheved dodato lo le'isha vateiled lo et-Aharon ve'et-Moshe ushnei chayei Amram sheva ushloshim ume'at shana.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקַּ֨ח עַמְרָ֜ם אֶת־יוֹכֶ֤בֶד דֹּֽדָתוֹ֙ ל֣וֹ לְאִשָּׁ֔ה וַתֵּ֣לֶד ל֔וֹ אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹ֖ן וְאֶת־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וּשְׁנֵי֙ חַיֵּ֣י עַמְרָ֔ם שֶׁ֧בַע וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֛ים וּמְאַ֖ת שָׁנָֽה׃
וַיִּקַּ֨ח עַמְרָ֜ם אֶת־יוֹכֶ֤בֶד דֹּֽדָתוֹ֙ ל֣וֹ לְאִשָּׁ֔ה וַתֵּ֣לֶד ל֔וֹ אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹ֖ן וְאֶת־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וּשְׁנֵי֙ חַיֵּ֣י עַמְרָ֔ם שֶׁ֧בַע וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֛ים וּמְאַ֖ת שָׁנָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Marriage of Amram and Yokheved

The verse states that Amram married Yokheved, his aunt (דודתו), which raises a question since the Torah later prohibits such marriages (Vayikra 18:12). Rashi (on Shemot 6:20) explains that this marriage took place before the giving of the Torah at Sinai, when such unions were still permitted. The Ramban (on Vayikra 18:12) adds that the Patriarchs observed the mitzvot voluntarily even before they were commanded, but this was an exception where the future leaders of Israel needed to be born from such a union.

The Significance of Yokheved

Yokheved is described as Amram's aunt, highlighting her lineage as a daughter of Levi. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:13) teaches that Yokheved was born "between the walls" as the family entered Egypt, making her uniquely connected to both the exile and redemption. The Talmud (Bava Batra 120a) notes her exceptional righteousness, stating she was one of the few women who merited to give birth without experiencing the pain of childbirth as a consequence of the sin of Chava.

The Birth of Aharon and Moshe

The verse mentions Aharon before Moshe, though Moshe became the greater leader. Rashi (on Shemot 6:26) explains this teaches that Aharon was three years older than Moshe. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:8) elaborates that both brothers were destined for greatness from birth - Aharon as the Kohen Gadol and Moshe as the redeemer and lawgiver.

Amram's Lifespan

The verse concludes by noting Amram lived 137 years. The Talmud (Sotah 12a) connects this to the numerical value of the word "קע" (vessel) in Yeshayahu 22:24, hinting that Amram was the "vessel" containing the future leaders of Israel. The Zohar (Shemot 15a) suggests his lifespan paralleled key periods in Jewish history, with his years corresponding to the years of exile and redemption.

Lessons from the Verse

  • The importance of righteous lineage in producing Jewish leaders
  • How pre-Sinai practices differed from post-Sinai halacha
  • Divine providence in preparing redeemers during exile
  • The significance of numbers in understanding Jewish history

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Batra 109b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the lineage of Moses and Aaron, emphasizing the importance of their ancestry.
📖 Sotah 12a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the righteousness of Amram and his family, particularly in relation to the birth of Moses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Amram marry his aunt Yocheved? Isn't that forbidden in the Torah?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Sanhedrin 58b), this marriage took place before the Torah was given at Mount Sinai, when the prohibition against marrying one's aunt (Vayikra 18:12) was not yet in effect. Once the Torah was given, such marriages became forbidden.
Q: How old was Amram when Moses was born?
A: The verse tells us Amram lived 137 years total. According to the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:27) and Talmud (Sotah 12a), Amram was 70 years old when Moses was born, meaning he lived another 67 years after Moses' birth.
Q: Why does the Torah mention Amram's age at death here?
A: Rashi explains that mentioning Amram's lifespan here shows he merited long life despite the difficult conditions of Egyptian slavery. The Ramban adds that listing the ages of righteous ancestors emphasizes their importance in Jewish history.
Q: Why is Yocheved called Amram's 'aunt' if she was his father's sister?
A: In Hebrew, the term 'dodah' can mean either aunt or cousin. However, traditional Jewish sources (like Rashi here) understand it to mean aunt - his father Kehat's sister. The Torah uses precise family terminology to establish the priestly lineage of Aaron and Moses.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Amram and Yocheved's marriage?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:19) teaches that despite the harsh decrees of Pharaoh, Amram and Yocheved had faith to continue building Jewish families. Their commitment led to the birth of Moses, the future redeemer of Israel, showing how individual acts of faith can change history.