Numbers 17:1-8

1 The Lord said to Moses,

2 "Speak to the people of Israel and get twelve walking sticks from them -- one from the leader of each tribe. Write the name of each man on his stick, and

3 on the stick from Levi, write Aaron's name. There must be one stick for the head of each tribe.

4 Put them in the Meeting Tent in front of the Ark of the Agreement, where I meet with you.

5 I will choose one man whose walking stick will begin to grow leaves; in this way I will stop the Israelites from always complaining against you."

6 So Moses spoke to the Israelites. Each of the twelve leaders gave him a walking stick -- one from each tribe -- and Aaron's walking stick was among them.

7 Moses put them before the Lord in the Tent of the Agreement.

8 The next day, when Moses entered the Tent, he saw that Aaron's stick (which stood for the family of Levi) had grown leaves. It had even budded, blossomed, and produced almonds.

Numbers 17:1-8 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.