Aaron’s Rod Buds

1[†]Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to the sons of Israel, and get from them a rod for each father’s household: twelve rods from all their leaders according to their fathers’ households. You shall write each name on his rod, 3and write Aaron’s name on the rod of Levi; for there is one rod for the head of each of their fathers’ households. 4You shall then deposit them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony, where I meet with you. 5And it will come about that the rod of the man whom I choose will sprout. Thus I will rid Myself of the grumblings of the sons of Israel, who are grumbling against you.” 6Moses therefore spoke to the sons of Israel, and all their leaders gave him a rod apiece, for each leader according to their fathers’ households, twelve rods, with the rod of Aaron among their rods. 7So Moses deposited the rods before Yahweh in the tent of the testimony.

8Now it happened on the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced flowers, and it bore ripe almonds. 9Moses then brought out all the rods from the presence of Yahweh to all the sons of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. 10But Yahweh said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony [†]to be kept as a sign against the [†]rebels, that you may put an end to their grumblings against Me, so that they will not die.” 11Thus Moses did; just as Yahweh had commanded him, so he did.

12Then the sons of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, we are breathing our last breath, we are perishing, we are all perishing! 13Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of Yahweh, must die. Are we to breathe our utter last?”