Numbers 17:7-13

7 Moses put the staffs in the LORD's presence in the tent of the words of God's promise.

8 The next day Moses went into the tent. He found that Aaron's staff for the tribe of Levi had not only begun to grow, but it had also blossomed and produced ripe almonds.

9 Moses brought out the staffs from the LORD's presence and showed them to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each man took his staff.

10 The LORD said to Moses, "Put Aaron's staff back in front of the words of my promise, and keep it there as a sign to warn any other rebels. Then you will stop their complaints about me, and they won't die."

11 Moses did exactly what the LORD commanded him to do.

12 The Israelites said to Moses, "Now we're going to die! We're lost! We're all lost!

13 Anyone who comes near the LORD's tent will die! Are we all going to die?"

Numbers 17:7-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 17

In this chapter the priesthood of Aaron is further confirmed and established by the budding and blossom of his rod, as it lay among the princes of the several tribes, when theirs did not, Nu 17:1-9; which rod of Aaron was ordered to be laid up before the ark, as a token against the rebels, and to put an end to all murmurings against Aaron for the future; which was accordingly done, Nu 17:10,11; upon which the people expressed their fear of perishing because of their sins, Nu 17:12,13.