Numbers, Chapter 17

Numbers Chapter 17

Verses 1-28: Divine Signs and Atonements

1. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2. “Speak to Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the blaze and scatter the fire yonder, for they are hallowed.
3. The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.”
4. And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
5. To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
6. But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the LORD.”
7. And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
8. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
9. And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,
10. “Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment.” And they fell upon their faces.
11. And Moses said unto Aaron, “Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.”
12. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
13. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
14. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
15. And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.
16. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
17. “Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod.
18. And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers.
19. And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.
20. And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.”
21. And Moses spoke unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.
22. And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.
23. 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.
24. And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.
25. 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.”
26. Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.
27. And the children of Israel spoke unto Moses, saying, “Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
28. Whosoever comes anything near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?”

Interpretation: Verses 1-5, emphasize the sanctity of the offerings and the exclusive right of Aaron’s descendants to serve before the LORD. The tragic story of Korah and his followers serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of challenging this divine ordinance. Verses 6-15, describes a moment of great crisis, where Aaron’s swift action with the incense atones for the people’s rebellion and stops a deadly plague, showcasing the power of intercession and the mercy of the LORD. Verses 16-25, discusses the budding of Aaron’s rod not only quells the murmurings against Moses and Aaron but also serves as a divine affirmation of Aaron’s chosen priesthood, signifying life, authority, and the cessation of dissent within the community. Verses 26-28, concludes by reflecting the community’s fear and realization of the gravity of approaching the sacred with irreverence. It underscores the importance of respecting divine appointments and the sanctity of the priesthood.