Numbers 17:10

8 The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds.

9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the LORD’s presence to all the Israelites. They saw them, and each man took his own staff.

The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.”

11 So Moses did as the LORD had commanded him.

12 Then the Israelites declared to Moses, “Look, we are perishing! We are lost; we are all lost!

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.”
KJV
And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.
WEB
The LORD said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the covenant, to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion; that you may make an end of their complaining against me, that they not die.”
ASV
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion; that thou mayest make an end of their murmurings against me, that they die not.
DARBY
And Jehovah said to Moses, Bring Aaron's staff again before the testimony, to be kept as a token for the sons of rebellion, that thou mayest put an end to their murmurings before me, that they may not die.
BLB
And YHWH said to Moses, “Bring back the rod of Aaron before the face of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put away their complaints against Me, lest they die.”
ÅB
Og Herren sa til Moses: Bær Arons stav inn igjen foran vitnesbyrdet for å gjemmes som et tegn for de gjenstridige; og du skal gjøre ende på deres knurr, så jeg slipper å høre på det; ellers skal de dø.
OTB
Herren instruerte Moses: "Legg Arons stav tilbake foran vitnesbyrdet, for å bli oppbevart som et tegn mot de opprørske, så deres klager mot meg kan opphøre og de ikke dør."
B1930
Og Herren sa til Moses: Bær Arons stav inn igjen foran vidnesbyrdet for å gjemmes som et tegn for de gjenstridige; og du skal gjøre ende på deres knurr, så jeg slipper å høre på det; ellers skal de dø.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ephesians 5:6

    Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 9:4

    containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 1:2

    Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 2:12

    Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD

    Read in context
  • Numbers 16:38

    As for the censers of those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, hammer them into sheets to overlay the altar, for these were presented before the LORD, and so have become holy. They will serve as a sign to the Israelites.”

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 9:24

    You have been rebelling against the LORD since the day I came to know you.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 16:40

    just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 57:4

    My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

    Read in context