Numbers Chapter 17

Aaron’s Rod That Budded

¹ The LORD said to Moses, 

² “Tell the Israelites to get a rod from each family leader. Write each man’s name on his rod ³ and write Aaron’s name on Levi’s rod. ⁴ Then put them in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony where I meet you.   ⁵ The rod of the man I choose will sprout. I’ll stifle the criticism of your critics.

⁶ Moses told the Israelites to give him a rod for each family leader (12 rods) with Aaron’s rod among them. ⁷ Moses put the rods in front of the LORD in the Tent of Testimony.              

Num 17:1-7

⁸ The next day Moses went into the Tent, and Aaron’s rod had sprouted, put out buds, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds. ⁹ Moses brought out the rods as the Israelites watched and each man took his rod. ¹⁰ But the LORD told Moses,

“Put Aaron’s rod back in front of the Testimony to keep as a sign against the rebels so you can stop their complaining against me and they don’t die.”

¹¹ Moses did that.

¹² The Israelites said to Moses, “We’re perishing! We’re all dying! ¹³ Everybody that goes near the Tabernacle dies. Are we all going to perish?”                                                                                                                          

Num 17:8-13