Numbers 17:8

Translations

Modern

The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds.

Traditional

And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

Literal

And it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron had sprouted for the house of Levi and put forth buds and produced blossoms and yielded almonds.

Latin

…sequenti die regressus invenit germinasse virgam Aaron in domo Levi: et turgentibus gemmis eruperant flores, qui, foliis dilatatis, in amygdalas deformati sunt.

Original

Hebrew

English

The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds.

Notes

Numbers 17:8

Aaron’s staff … produced almonds: This proved he was God's chosen leader and that the Levites had a special role. The cups on the lampstand of the Tent of the Testimony (the tabernacle) had the shape of almond blossoms (Exodus 25:33–36). Later, the prophet Jeremiah’s vision of an almond branch symbolized the Lord's watchfulness and his plans to act (Jeremiah 1:11–12).
There is no natural reason for Aaron’s staff to bud. Almond wood is soft when alive and only hardens enough for use as a staff after it has dried.

Numbers 17:1–13

The Lord gave another test to make the lesson clear. This test repeated the teaching from the events in chapter 16. It also prepared the people for the instructions that follow in chapter 18.

Numbers 16:1–17:13

Another rebellion demanded a clear separation of duties between priests and Levites. This power struggle was more serious than previous rebellions against God's authority (chapter 11; 12:1–15; 14:1–45).

In these historical events, the rebels protested minor issues and questioned their leaders' actions. Yet, Moses reminded them that they were actually rebelling against God. As a result, the Israelites suffered deadly consequences for their rebellion.

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron Moses

Related verses

Ezekiel 17:24
Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”
John 15:1–6
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard.
Psalm 132:17–18
There I will make a horn grow for David; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed one.
Isaiah 4:2
On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel’s survivors.
Numbers 17:5
The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you.”
Psalm 110:2
The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
Genesis 40:10
…and on the vine were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms opened and its clusters ripened into grapes.
Ezekiel 19:14
Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.”
Ezekiel 19:12
But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them.
Hebrews 9:4
…containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
Song of Solomon 2:3
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Aaron’s Rod Courts and Trials Deuteronomy, Book of Eduth Kadesh, Kadesh-Barnea Numbers, Book of Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Almonds Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Returned by the Way to the Red Sea: God's Choice of Aaron Confirmed Levites of the Amramites, Aaron and his Family Were Set Apart As Priests Miracles: Catalogue of Aaron's Rod Buds Miracles: Design of Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Testimony or Witness Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tent of Testimony (R. V.)

Numbers 17:8

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