Numbers 17

Aaron’s Rod Buds

11Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to the sons of Israel, and get from them a rod for each father’s household: twelve rods, from all their leaders according to their fathers’ households. You shall write each name on his rod, 3and write Aaron’s name on the rod of Levi; for there is one rod for the head of each of their fathers’ households. 4You shall then deposit them in the tent of meeting in front of 2the testimony, where I meet with you. 5It will come about that the rod of 3the man whom I choose will sprout. Thus I will lessen from upon Myself the grumblings of the sons of Israel, who are grumbling against you.” 6Moses therefore spoke to the sons of Israel, and all their leaders gave him a rod apiece, for each leader according to their fathers’ households, twelve rods, with the rod of Aaron among their rods. 7So Moses deposited the rods before the Lord in 4the tent of the testimony.

8Now on the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, 5the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. 9Moses then brought out all the rods from the presence of the Lord to all the sons of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. 10But the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron 6before the testimony 7to be kept as a sign against the 89rebels, that you may put an end to their grumblings against Me, so that they will not die.” 11Thus Moses did; just as the Lord had commanded him, so he did.

12Then the sons of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, “10Behold, we perish, we are dying, we are all dying! 1311Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of the Lord, must die. Are we to perish completely?”