Numbers 17 :: New International Version (NIV)

The Budding of Aaron’s Staff

Num 17:1The LORD said to Moses,

Num 17:2“Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff.

Num 17:3

Num 17:3On the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe.

Num 17:4

Num 17:4Place them in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the covenant law, where I meet with you.

Num 17:5

Num 17:5The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.”

Num 17:6

Num 17:6So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and their leaders gave him twelve staffs, one for the leader of each of their ancestral tribes, and Aaron’s staff was among them.

Num 17:7

Num 17:7Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the tent of the covenant law.

Num 17:8

Num 17:8The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.

Num 17:9

Num 17:9Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the LORD’s presence to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each of the leaders took his own staff.

Num 17:10

Num 17:10The LORD said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.”

Num 17:11

Num 17:11Moses did just as the LORD commanded him.

Num 17:12

Num 17:12The Israelites said to Moses, “We will die! We are lost, we are all lost!

Num 17:13

Num 17:13Anyone who even comes near the tabernacle of the LORD will die. Are we all going to die?”

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