10696. 'And Aaron and all the princes in the assembly turned back to him' means the chief ones among those who, although their interest lay in things on an outward level devoid of those on an inward level, would nevertheless represent those on an inward level. This is clear from the representation of 'Aaron and the princes in the assembly' as the chief ones among those whose interest lay in things on an outward level devoid of what was inward; for Aaron was their head and the princes were their leaders. 'Aaron' represents that which is outward devoid of what is inward, see 10397, and 'the princes' the chief persons, 1482, 2089, 5044. The fact that they were to assume a representative role, see below in 10698.