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Numbers 17

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 17 of 36

1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,

2 Speak to the sons of Israel, and take from each one of them a rod, for a father's house, from all their rulers, for the house of their fathers, twelve rods. You shall write the name of each man on his rod.

3 And you shall write Aaron's name on the staff of the tribe of Levi; for one rod shall be for the head of their fathers' house.

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Chapter Summary

To settle the question of priesthood permanently, God commands that rods from each tribe be placed in the tabernacle. Aaron's rod alone buds, blossoms, and bears almonds, confirming his priestly authority. The rod is kept as a memorial.

Key Hebrew Words

קְטֹ֖רֶת smoke H7004 · TWOT 2011a
מֶ֑רִי rebellion H4805 · TWOT 1242a
מִשְׁכַּ֥ן dwelling-place H4908 · TWOT 2387c
מַטֶּ֣ה branch H4294 · TWOT 1352b
צִוָּ֧ה lay charge H6680 · TWOT 1887

People & Context

Aaron's Rod Buds

Moses collected twelve inscribed rods, one for the leader of each tribe, and placed them in the tabernacle before the testimony 37 . The next day, Aar…

Rod Preserved as Warning

God instructed Moses to put Aaron's rod back before the testimony to be kept as a token of warning to the rebels . This was done to put an end to thei…

Timeline

Aaron's Rod Buds

Moses collected twelve inscribed rods, one for the leader of each tribe, and placed them in the tabernacle before the testimony 37 . The next day, Aaron's rod representing the house of Levi had miraculously budded, bloomed, and produced ripe almonds .

Numbers 17:1-9
Rod Preserved as Warning

God instructed Moses to put Aaron's rod back before the testimony to be kept as a token of warning to the rebels . This was done to put an end to their murmurings so they would not die .

Numbers 17:10-13

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