Numbers 17:8

6 So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and each of their leaders gave him a staff—one for each of the leaders of their tribes, twelve staffs in all. And Aaron’s staff was among them.

7 Then Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.

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.

10 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.”

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 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.
KJV
And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.
WEB
On the next day, Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony; and behold, Aaron’s rod for the house of Levi had sprouted, budded, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.
ASV
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and put forth buds, and produced blossoms, and bare ripe almonds.
DARBY
And it came to pass, when on the morrow Moses went into the tent of the testimony, behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and ripened almonds.
BLB
And it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron had sprouted for the house of Levi and put forth buds and produced blossoms and yielded almonds.
ÅB
Da nå Moses dagen etter kom inn i vitnesbyrdets telt, fikk han se at Arons stav - den som var for Levis hus - hadde spiret; den hadde både skutt spirer og satt blomster og fått modne mandler.
OTB
Dagen etter gikk Moses inn i teltet og så at Arons stav, som representerte Levis stamme, hadde spiret, blomstret og båret mandler.
B1930
Da nu Moses dagen efter kom inn i vidnesbyrdets telt, fikk han se at Arons stav - den som var for Levis hus - hadde spiret; den hadde både skutt spirer og satt blomster og fått modne mandler.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ezekiel 17:24

    Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”

    Read in context
  • John 15:1–6

    “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 132:17–18

    There I will make a horn grow for David; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed one.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 17:5

    The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you.”

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 4:2

    On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel’s survivors.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 40:10

    and on the vine were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms opened and its clusters ripened into grapes.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 19:14

    Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.”

    Read in context
  • Psalms 110:2

    The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”

    Read in context