Home > Torah - Exodus Stories in the Quran
The Book of Exodus establishes the Aaronic priesthood, a lineage of priests from the tribe of Levi, with Aaron as the first high priest. This priesthood was given a specific role in carrying out the sacrificial system and ministering in the tabernacle. See Exodus 28–29.
The Quran completely omits the concept of a specific priestly lineage. It portrays Aaron as a prophet, but it does not assign him or his descendants a unique role in a sacrificial or priestly system.
Surah 19:53 - "And We gave him back his brother Aaron as a prophet."
Surah 25:35 - "And We gave Moses the Book and appointed his brother Aaron with him as a minister."
This absence reflects the Quran's general rejection of a specific, hereditary priesthood in favour of a universal concept of worship accessible to all believers. The Quran removes the priesthood from all the Biblical stories in favour of prophethood.
The priesthood foreshadows Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who offers the perfect sacrifice once and for all. Islam rejects the need for a mediator to act between God and favours only prophethood, and breaks the link of God’s covenant relationship with Israel.
Hebrews 4:14–16: Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.
Hebrews 7:23–27: And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing: but he, because he abideth for ever, hath his priesthood unchangeable. Wherefore also he can save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself.
The New Testament reveals that Jesus is the eternal High Priest, not by birthright but by God’s appointment. His priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood, because:
The priesthood is a recurring major theme in the Bible, including important ones like Melchizedek, Aaron, Eli, and Zadok in the Old Testament and Zechariah, Annas, Caiaphas, and Ananias in the New Testament.
The Quran conveniently leaves this all out to fit with Allah, who clearly is not the same as Yahweh. Hence, the need to say that the Bible (Allah’s previous scriptures) has been corrupted by the Jews and Christians.
Allah can purportedly stop his prophets from sinning, but is unable to stop his sacred books from being corrupted three times - Torah, Gospel, and Zabur.