According to the Book of Exodus, Aaron first functioned as Moses' assistant.

Because Moses complained that he could not speak well, God appointed Aaron as
Moses' "prophet" (Exodus 4:10-17; 7:1).[note 2] At the command of Moses, he let his rod turn into a snake (Exodus 7:9-12).[18] Then he stretched out his rod in order to
bring on the first three plagues (Exodus 7:19, 8:1,12).[19][20][21] After that, Moses tended to act and speak for himself (Exodus 9:23, 10:13,22).[22][23][24]

During the journey in the wilderness, Aaron was not always prominent or active. At the battle with Amalek, he was chosen with Hur to support the hand of Moses
that held the "rod of God" (Exodus 17:9).[25] When the revelation was given to Moses at Mount Sinai, he headed the elders of Israel who accompanied Moses on
the way to the summit. WhileJoshua went with Moses to the top, however, Aaron and Hur remained below to look after the people (Exodus 24:9-14).[26] From here
on in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, Joshua appears in the role of Moses' assistant while Aaron functions instead as the first high priest.