1. et locutus est Dominus ad Mosen dicens
2. loquere ad filios Israël et accipe ab eis virgas singulas per cognationes suas a cunctis principibus tribuum virgas duodecim et uniuscujusque nomen superscribes virgæ suæ
3. nomen autem Aaron erit in tribu Levi et una virga cunctas eorum familias continebit
4. ponesque eas in tabernaculo fœderis coram testimonio ubi loquar ad te
5. quem ex his elegero germinabit virga ejus et cohibebo a me querimonias filiorum Israël quibus contra vos murmurant
6. locutusque est Moses ad filios Israël et dederunt ei omnes principes virgas per singulas tribus fueruntque virgæ duodecim absque virga Aaron
7. quas cum posuisset Moses coram Domino in tabernaculo testimonii
8. sequenti die regressus invenit germinasse virgam Aaron in domo Levi et turgentibus gemmis eruperant flores qui foliis dilatatis in amigdalas deformati sunt
9. protulit ergo Moses omnes virgas de conspectu Domini ad cunctos filios Israël videruntque et receperunt singuli virgas suas
10. dixitque Dominus ad Mosen refer virgam Aaron in tabernaculum testimonii ut servetur ibi in signum rebellium filiorum et quiescant querellæ eorum a me ne moriantur
11. fecitque Moses sicut præceperat Dominus
12. dixerunt autem filii Israël ad Mosen ecce consumpti sumus omnes perivimus
13. quicumque accedit ad tabernaculum Domini moritur num usque ad internicionem cuncti delendi sumus
Footnotes:
17:1-5 - God commands each tribe to give a staff bearing the name of its leader, and Aaron's staff blossoms as a sign of his selection to the priesthood. This demonstrates divine authority and confirms the role of Aaron and his descendants as priests (see also Hebrews 5:4 and Psalm 133:2).
17:6-8 - Aaron's staff, which budded, blossomed, and produced almonds, is a clear sign that God chose the house of Levi for the priesthood. This miracle also reveals God's power to bring life and authenticity to His plan (see also Isaiah 11:1 and John 15:16).
17:9-11 - The staffs are placed before the tent of the Testimony, and God commands that Aaron's staff be kept as a perpetual sign. This symbolizes the role of the priesthood in mediating between God and His people (see also Exodus 16:33-34 and Hebrews 9:4).
17:12-13 - The people fear death when they see God's power demonstrated in the blossoming of the staff. This fear reflects God's seriousness toward rebellion and His holiness in choosing spiritual leaders (see also Deuteronomy 4:24 and Hebrews 12:29).
Verses related to Liber Numeri, 17:
Numbers chapter 17 reports the flowering of Aaron's rod. How does God confirm His choice of leadership? This significant text narrates the miracle of Aaron's rod that buds, blossoms and produces almonds, definitively establishing the Aaronic priesthood. The chapter demonstrates God's supernatural intervention to end disputes and confirm His will. Numbers 17 addresses themes such as divine authority, miraculous evidence, and the importance of spiritual leadership. Ponder with us five biblical passages that illuminate the principles of calling and confirmation in this revealing chapter.
Hebrews 9:4: "This tabernacle had a golden altar for incense and the ark of the covenant, completely covered in gold. In this ark were the golden vessel containing the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant." - This passage mentions Aaron's rod blossoming, an event described in Numbers 17.
1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, to proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." - Peter applies the concept of the chosen priesthood to all believers, echoing the confirmation of the Aaronic priesthood in Numbers 17.
John 15:16: "You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father may grant you whatever you ask in my name." - This verse reflects the theme of divine choice present in Numbers 17, where God confirms his choice of Aaron.
2 Timothy 1:9: "He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own determination and grace. This grace has been given to us in Christ Jesus from the beginning of time." - Paul emphasizes the divine calling, a central theme in Numbers 17 with the confirmation of the Aaronic priesthood.
Ephesians 1:4: "For God chose us in Him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His presence." - This verse echoes the theme of divine choice, demonstrated in Numbers 17 with Aaron's blossoming rod.
FAQ:
What happened to Aaron's rod in Numbers chapter 17?
Aaron's staff budded, blossomed, and bore almonds, showing that he had been chosen by God as high priest. This put an end to the murmurings against Israel's leaders. (Numbers 17:8)
Why did God make the rods of the tribes flourish?
God caused the rods of the tribes to blossom to show that Aaron and his descendants were chosen for the priesthood, ending the rebellions against Moses and Aaron. (Numbers 17:5)
What was the sign of the one chosen by God among the tribes?
The sign of God's chosen one was the rod that budded, blossomed, and bore fruit. The rod of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, was the sign of God's selection for the priesthood. (Numbers 17:8)
What happened after Aaron's rod blossomed?
After Aaron's rod budded, God commanded that it be kept as a sign against rebellion, to put an end to the Israelites' murmurings. (Numbers 17:10)
What was the purpose of Aaron’s rod being kept in the tabernacle?
Aaron's rod was kept as a memorial against the Israelites' rebellion, so that they would remember Aaron's authority and not sin against the priesthood. (Numbers 17:10)
