The priesthood is confirmed to Aaron by the miracle of the blooming of his rod, which is kept for a monument in the tabernacle.
Moyses taking of the princes of twelue tribes twelue roddes, and one of Aaron for the tribe of Leui, layeth them al in the tabernacle al night, 8. where Aarons rodde (and none of the rest) buddeth, bloometh, and bringeth forth fruite, 9. And al being shewed to the people, Aarons is caried back, and kept for a monument in the tabernacle.
1And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:E il Signore parlò a Mosè, e disse:AND our Lord spake to Moyses, saying:Et locutus est Dominus ad Moysen, dicens: 2Speak to the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod by their kindreds, of all the princes of the tribes, twelve rods, and write the name of every man upon his rod.Parla a' figliuoli d'Israele, e fatti dare da loro una verga per ogni tribù, dodici verghe da tutti i principi delle tribù, e il nome di ciascuno di essi scriverai sulla sua verga:Speake to the children of Israel, and take a rodde of euerie one of their kinredes, of al the princes of their tribes, twelue roddes, and the name of euerie one thou shalt write vpon his rodde.Loquere ad filios Israël, et accipe ab eis virgas singulas per cognationes suas, a cunctis principibus tribuum, virgas duodecim, et uniuscujusque nomen superscribes virgæ suæ. 3And the name of Aaron shall be for the tribe of Levi, and one rod shall contain all their families:Ma il nome di Aronne sarà sulla verga di Levi, e ciascuna delle altre famiglie avrà una verga distinta:and the name of Aaron shal be in the tribe of Leui, and one rodde shal conteine al their families:Nomen autem Aaron erit in tribu Levi, et una virga cunctas seorsum familias continebit: 4And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the covenant before the testimony, where I will speak to thee.E le metterai nel tabernacolo dell'alleanza dinanzi all'arca, dove io ti parlerò:and thou shalt lay them in the tabernacle of couenant before the testimonie, where I wil speake to thee.ponesque eas in tabernaculo fœderis coram testimonio, ubi loquar ad te. 5Whomsoever of these I shall choose, his rod shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, wherewith they murmur against you.La verga di colui, che sarà eletto da me, fiorirà: e io farò cessare le querele de' figliuoli d'Israele, onde ei mormorano contro di voi.Whomsoeuer of these I shal choose, his rodde shal blossome: and I shal stay from me the grudginges of the children of Israel, wherwith they murmur against you.Quem ex his elegero, germinabit virga ejus: et cohibebo a me querimonias filiorum Israël, quibus contra vos murmurant. 6And Moses spoke to the children of Israel: and all the princes gave him rods one for every tribe: and there were twelve rods besides the rod of Aaron.E Mosè parlò a' figliuoli d'Israele: e tutti i principi diedero a lui le verghe, una per tribù: e furon dodici verghe senza la verga d'Aronne.And Moyses spake to the children of Israel: and al the princes gaue him roddes by euerie tribe: and they were twelue roddes besides Aarons rodde.Locutusque est Moyses ad filios Israël: et dederunt ei omnes principes virgas per singulas tribus: fueruntque virgæ duodecim absque virga Aaron.
7And when Moses had Laid them up before the Lord in the tabernacle of the testimony:E avendole poste Mosè dinanzi al Signore nel tabernacolo del testimonio,Which when Moyses had laid before our Lord in the tabernacle of testimonie:Quas cum posuisset Moyses coram Domino in tabernaculo testimonii, 8He returned on the following day, and found that the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi, was budded: and that the buds swelling it had bloomed blossoms, which spreading the leaves, were formed into almonds.Andatovi il dì seguente trovò, che la verga di Aronne per la tribù di Levi era fiorita, e gettati i bottoni, n'è erano usciti i fiori, e aperte le foglie si formavano le mandorle.returning the day folowing he found that Aarons rodde in the house of Leui was budded: and the buddes therof swelling, the blossomes were shotte forth, which spredding the leaues, were fashioned into almondes.sequenti die regressus invenit germinasse virgam Aaron in domo Levi: et turgentibus gemmis eruperant flores, qui, foliis dilatatis, in amygdalas deformati sunt. 9Moses therefore brought out all the rods from before the Lord to all the children of Israel: and they saw, and every one received their rods.Mosè adunque portò dal cospetto del Signore tutte le loro verghe a tutti i figliuoli d'Israele: e ciascuno vide, e riebbe la sua verga.Moyses therfore brought forth al the roddes from the sight of our Lord to al the children of Israel: and they saw and euerie one receiued their roddes.Protulit ergo Moyses omnes virgas de conspectu Domini ad cunctos filios Israël: videruntque, et receperunt singuli virgas suas. 10And the Lord said to Moses: Carry back the rod of Aaron into the tabernacle of the testimony, that it may be kept there for a token of the rebellious children of Israel, and that their complaints may cease from me lest they die.E il Signore disse a Mosè: Riporta la verga di Aronne nel tabernacolo del testimonio, affinché ivi rimanga in memoria de' ribelli figliuoli d'Israele, e finisca io di sentire le loro querele, perché non abbiano a perire.And our Lord said to Moyses: Carie backe Aarons rodde into the tabernacle of testimonie, that it may be kept there for a signe of the rebellious children of Israel, and let their complaintes cease from me, lest they die.Dixitque Dominus ad Moysen: Refer virgam Aaron in tabernaculum testimonii, ut servetur ibi in signum rebellium filiorum Israël, et quiescant querelæ eorum a me, ne moriantur.
11And Moses did as the Lord had commanded.E Mosè fece quanto aveva ordinato il Signore.And Moyses did as our Lord had commanded.Fecitque Moyses sicut præceperat Dominus. 12And the children of Israel said to Moses: Behold we are consumed, we all perish.E i figliuoli d'Israele dissero a Mosè: Ecco che noi siamo distrutti; siamo tutti sterminati:And the children of Israel said to Moyses: Behold we are consumed, we are al perished.Dixerunt autem filii Israël ad Moysen: Ecce consumpti sumus, omnes perivimus. 13Whosoever approacheth to the tabernacle of the Lord, he dieth. Are we all to a man to be utterly destroyed?Chiunque si accosta al tabernacolo del Signore va alla morte: dovremo noi essere spersi tutti dal primo all'ultimo?Whosoeuer approcheth to the tabernacle of our Lord, he dieth. Are we al to be destroyed vnto vtter consumption?Quicumque accedit ad tabernaculum Domini, moritur. Num usque ad internecionem cuncti delendi sumus ?
17:2
Speak. The cause of the different families of the Levites now being fully decided, that none of the other tribes might pretend to the honour of the priesthood, God orders Moses to propose another miracle to them, of a less terrible nature than the preceding one.
Haydock
Man, or prince of the tribe. (Haydock)
17:5
Haydock
They murmur. Hence it seems this miracle was not unnecessary, as the people were still inclined to murmur at the pre-eminence given to Aaron. (Haydock)
17:6
Haydock
Besides, etc. Hebrew and the other versions, "the rod of Aaron was in the midst of their rods." Whence some infer, that there were only 12 rods. But Origen, (hom. 9,) and most others, allow 13, as the tribe of Joseph was divided into those of Ephraim and Manasses; (Calmet) each of whom had a proper representative or prince. See (Numbers 2:18-20.; Numbers 10:22; Numbers 13:9-12.) The tribe of Levi is generally placed by itself. If there were only 12 rods, whether would the name of Elisama, or that of Gamaliel, designate the tribe of Joseph? Who was properly the prince of that udivided tribe? (Haydock)
17:8
Challoner
The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi, was budded, etc. This rod of Aaron, which thus miraculously brought forth fruit, was a figure of the blessed Virgin conceiving and bringing forth her Son, without any prejudice to her virginity. (Challoner)
Calmet
Almonds. Buds, blossoms, leaves, and fruit just formed, (Isaias 18:5.) appeared upon the rod, which before was dry. Tostat believes, that it continued in the same state during the whole time that it was preserved in the ark. "The grace of the priesthood never fades." (St. Ambrose, ep. 63, or 58.) The almond tree is the first which blossoms, and therefore it is styled a watching rod, (Jeremias 1:11.) The Fathers observe in this of Aaron, a figure of Christ's passion and glorious resurrection; and Origen (hom. 9,) remarks, that from his cross proceed the sweet odours of virtue, and the fruits of converted nations. (Calmet)
Worthington
For Christ made peace through the blood of his cross, (Colossians 1:20.) The blessed Virgin, whom the blooming rod also represents, might as easily become a mother without losing her virginal integrity, as this dry rod might produce fruit, without receiving any moisture from the earth. (St. Augustine; St. Gregory of Nyssa; St. Bernard; etc.) (Worthington)
17:10
Calmet
Testimony. St. Paul (Hebrews 9:4.) says it was in the ark. See (Deuteronomy 31:26.) (Calmet)
Tirinus
It was not the rod with which so many miracles had been wrought. (Tirinus)
17:12
Haydock
All perish. Many had been already destroyed. Those who remained, and were conscious of their seditious practices, feared a similar treatment. (Haydock)
17:13
Calmet
Destroyed. They betray the sentiments of their hearts; though some believe that they were now entering into themselves, and desirous to know what they must do to escape the fate of their brethren. God gives them an answer in the following chapter, teaching them that they must refrain from approaching to the tabernacle, unless they be authorized; and provide such things as are requisite for the maintenance of those, whom he has chosen for his ministers. (Calmet)
Salien
Afterwards, he passes over the transactions of about 35 years, in profound silence, that the memory of those who had so often murmured, might perish. (Salien, A.C. 1505. [1505 B.C.])
17:8
17:2
For more satisfaction to the whole people God confirmeth Aarons authoritie by a new miracle. v. 10.
17:8
8. Aarons rodde.] This rodde without roote, neither it self planted, nor anie liue branch ingraffed therin, al drie without iuyce or moisture, bringing Example of one miracle proueth the possibilitie of an other. forth buddes, flowers, and fruite, was a figure that our B. Ladie should beare a sonne, and remaine a Virgin. And this example euidently demonstrateth that she could so do, it being no more contrarie to nature, that a virgin should conceiue, and beare a child without losse of virginitie, then that the drie rodde should bud and beare fruite, without ordinarie concourse of nature. S. Aug. ser. 3. de temp. S. Greg. Nissen. de natiuit. Dom. S. Bernard. ho. 2. in Euang. Missus est.
The rodde signified the B. Virgin mother; and the
desormat• fully formed.
almondes Christ, to wit, the vtter pill his humanitie, the shel his crosse, the kernel his diuinitie: VVho pacified by the bloud of his crosse, al thinges in earth and in heauen. Collos. 1. S. Aug. ser. 3. de temp.
17:5
St Cyprian of Carthage † AD 258 The Epistles of Cyprian 75.8
… successors, being by the command of the Lord melted and purged by fire, were beaten out into flexible plates, and fastened to the altars, according to what the Holy Scripture says, “to be,” it says, “a memorial to 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.”
17:8
Tertullian † AD 220 Five Books in Reply to Marcion 4
The cross itself, yet born of storax-tree
St Methodius † AD 311 Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna On the Day that They Met in the Temple 1
… Then, again, that hard and rugged rock, which imaged forth the grace and refreshment which has sprung out from thee for all the world, brought forth abundantly in the desert out of its thirsty sides a healing draught for the fainting people. Yea, moreover, the rod of the priest which, without culture, blossomed forth in fruit,
St Gregory of Nazianzus † AD 389 Correspondence with Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Cæsarea 6
… but God gave the increase to our honour, that a memorial might remain among you of my diligence, as in the Ark we read and believe, did Aaron’s rod that budded.
St Ambrose of Milan † AD 397 Concerning Virgins 1.1.2
… And I will open my mouth long dumb, that the angel may assist me also, engaged in the burdens of this world, for He can do away with the hindrances of unskilfulness, Who in the ass did away those of nature. In the ark of the Old Testament the priest’s rod budded;
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 On the Holy Trinity 3.5
… But when, at the command of the Lord, the water was turned into wine with an extraordinary quickness, the divine power was made manifest, by the confession even of the foolish. Who ordinarily clothes the trees with leaves and flowers except God? Yet, when the rod of Aaron the priest blossomed, the Godhead in some way conversed with doubting humanity.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 On Baptism, Against the Donatists 5.13
Chapter 13.— 15. For the Lord Jesus might, if He had so thought fit, have given the power of His baptism to some one or more of His chief servants, whom He had already made His friends, such as those to whom He says, "Henceforth I call you not servants, but friends;" that, as Aaron was shown to be the priest by the rod that budded,
17:10
St Cyprian of Carthage † AD 258 On the Mortality 11
… since the people of the Jews in this matter always offended, that they constantly murmured against God, as the Lord God bears witness in the book of Numbers, saying, “Let their murmuring cease from me, and they shall not die.”
St Cyprian of Carthage † AD 258 Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews 3.15
… for there is none like unto him in the earth: a man without complaint: a true worshipper of God, restraining himself from all evil.” Of the same thing in the thirty-third Psalm: “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall ever be in my mouth.” Of this same thing in Numbers: “Let their murmuring cease from me, and they shall not die.”
17:12
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the Hebrews 23
… iv. 1 .) And no man lays up these things in his mind, but these tremendous and fearful doctrines are more despised than fables, and are trodden under foot. He that heareth,—there is no one: while they who laugh and make sport are—all. What resource will there be for us? Whence shall we find safety? “We are undone, we are utterly consumed” (
17:2
2. Speak to the children of Israel, and take from them rods one by one, according to their kindreds (that is, tribes). — For Moses took here only twelve rods, according to the number of the 12 tribes, namely one from each tribe, besides the rod of Aaron. Note: On account of the sedition and murmuring of Core with his followers, contending with Aaron over the priesthood, concerning which in the preceding chapter, God here commands the individual tribes and their princes to bring their rods, so that by them through a new miracle, the rod of Aaron alone flowering, He might settle this dispute and assign and confirm the priesthood to him. Hence this miracle appears to have occurred in the same year in which the sedition of Core occurred, namely in the second year of the departure from Egypt, as I said in the preceding chapter, verse 2, which was the year of the world 2455.
17:3
3. Now the name of Aaron shall be upon the tribe of Levi. — In Hebrew it is, upon the rod of Levi. So also the Septuagint. For each tribe, or, as follows, all the families of one tribe had one rod, upon which was inscribed the name of the prince or firstborn of that tribe. Wherefore it is very probable that the rod of Aaron was different from the rod of Moses; by which he himself brought the plagues upon Egypt, and divided the Red Sea; and this is proved first, because this rod is called here Levi, not Moses. Secondly, because otherwise the lot of the rods would have been unequal, and the other princes would have suspected Aaron and Moses, if he himself had given to his brother that rod, which had been the worker of so many portents, when the others received a common staff or walking-stick for their rod; and consequently they would have attributed the miracle itself of the flowering rod, not to Aaron, but to the rod itself. The rod of Aaron therefore was a common rod, and similar to the rods of the other princes. Thus Abulensis, Cajetan and others. Whence the Hebrews hand down that all these thirteen rods were of the same almond-tree, and Cyril in the Catena of Francis Zephyrus: "They were," he says, "all rods of almond-wood, according to the custom of that nation, which used walking-sticks from that tree especially; for such a tree bears the symbol of vigilance." For the almond-tree excels in putting forth shoots, or straight and tall branches: wherefore it is very apt, that from it the walking-sticks of elders, and the sceptres of princes should be cut. Hear what St. Simeon relates or thinks concerning this rod in Galatinus, book VI, last chapter: "That rod," he says, "by which Moses and Aaron wrought miracles in the land of Egypt, and afterwards flowered in the desert, was cut from that tree which God showed to Moses in the desert, that the bitter waters might become sweet. And this tree was cut from the tree of life, which was placed in paradise, by the hands of angels; which they sent to Adam, when he had sent Seth his son to paradise, to beseech the mercy of God for his sin. And the angels said to Seth, that he should plant this tree, which as soon as it should bear fruit, the mercy of God would descend upon him, and the gates of heaven, which were shut, would be opened. This tree, or rather a branch of it, Seth received, and planted in the desert, which afterwards Moses found in the desert, and cut his rod from it, and therefore it was called the rod of God. But when Israel came to Mara, and could not drink of its waters (for they were bitter), God showed to Moses this tree, that he might make those waters sweet. And this is that tree, upon which Moses placed the brazen serpent, by which God instituted to save the whole world, and to send his mercy upon Adam, when the king Messias shall come. For then this tree shall bear fruit, by which the bitter waters shall again be made sweet, and shall purge the first sin, and all the debts which men have committed, and shall commit." He insinuates that the cross of Christ was made from this tree. But these things savour of the commentaries and fables of the Jews.
17:4
4. And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the covenant before the testimony, — that is before the ark of the testimony, in which namely was the testimony, that is the tables of the law, which were the testimony, both of the covenant made between God and the people, and of the will of God, namely what God wished to be done by the Hebrews. Hence it appears that all these rods were placed in the Holy of Holies, before the ark: whence also the rod of Aaron was afterwards brought back to it, as appears verse 10, and Hebrews 9:4, and that as a sign and perpetual memorial of so great a miracle, by which Aaron was designated and confirmed as pontiff, just as in that same Holy of Holies was the manna, as a sign and perpetual memorial of the nourishment given to the Hebrews in the desert, and the tables of the law received from God. And by this rod of Aaron the rock appears to have been struck, when it gave forth waters, Numbers 20, as is gathered from verse 9 there. Concerning the rod of Moses, whither it went, it is uncertain, especially since the Apostle, Hebrews 9:4, mentions only the rod of Aaron, which had budded.
17:5
5. Whom I shall choose out of these, his rod shall bud (I shall bring forward the symbolic causes of this budding verse 8), and I will make to cease from me (that is I will cause to rest, and, as the Septuagint, I will take away from me) the murmurings of the children of Israel.
17:6
6. And the rods were twelve, besides the rod of Aaron. — Eugubinus and the Hebrews think this passage is badly rendered. For they think that there were not thirteen rods here, but only twelve, as many as the tribes. For in the Hebrew it is thus word for word: There were rods twelve, and the rod of Aaron in the midst of their rods. But that there were twelve tribes, and consequently rods, besides the tribe and rod of Levi and Aaron, is clear from Numbers 1:5 and seq., and verse 49. For the tribe of Joseph was divided into two, namely Ephraim and Manasseh: whence Levi was not numbered among the twelve tribes; and our Interpreter understood this to be signified here, when it is said: "And the rod of Aaron in the midst of their rods," namely of the twelve rods of the other tribes and princes was placed, as the thirteenth. For the tribe of Levi, although it was not numbered in the division of the lot and inheritance of the land of Chanaan, was nevertheless numbered when sacred matters and the priesthood (as here) were in question.
17:7
7 and 8. When Moses had placed these before the Lord, etc., on the following day returning, he found that the rod of Aaron (who was the firstborn) had sprouted in the house (that is, the tribe) of Levi. — This miracle was clear and a sign of divine election, namely that Aaron was designated by God as pontiff; for these rods were altogether dry and withered, for they were staffs, such as travelers or shepherds of sheep have: whence they could not naturally revive and grow green again.
17:8
Hence it is sufficiently clear that this rod of Aaron was an almond rod; otherwise indeed if it had been an apple tree, or a pear tree, it would have produced apples, or pears, not an almond.
17:9
9. Moses therefore brought forth all the rods from the sight of the Lord, to all the children of Israel. — It is required, says Origen, homily 6, and it is referred to in the canon Licet, 8, Question 1, in ordaining a priest of the people, the presence of the people, so that all may know that he who is more excellent from all the people, who is more learned, who is holier, who is more eminent in every virtue, he is chosen for the priesthood.
17:12
12. And the children of Israel said to Moses: Behold we are consumed, we are all perished, — as if to say: A great part of the people has been consumed by these plagues of God, namely more than fifteen thousand, as is evident from the preceding chapter; therefore it is altogether to be feared lest we all be consumed in like manner and perish, if we ever so slightly offend God or murmur; especially since whoever approaches the tabernacle, so as to offer or sacrifice to God, is immediately slain by him, as if to say: What counsel therefore, lest we die? to whom the Lord responds, in the following chapter, verse 1, namely that they employ Aaron, as it were the pontiff designated, as an intercessor with God, in any offense of the people, and therefore let them nourish him with his posterity, as priests, by giving them tithes and firstfruits. Note: For peribimus, with the Hebrews, the Septuagint and the Romans it should be corrected to perivimus, as if to say: So certainly shall we perish, as if we had already perished, so certain is it that we shall perish, as if that had already happened, as if we were already in the grave buried.
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
17:1
Aaron (Heb. 'Ahărān, of uncertain etymology)
making his rod (almond) blossom and bear fruit among those of the heads of the 12 tribes laid up in the Tabernacle; Aaron's rod was by divine command preserved there in perpetual remembrance (Num. 17:1-11 [Heb. 16:16 ff.]; cf. Heb. 9:4).
17:8
Aaron (Heb. 'Ahărān, of uncertain etymology)
… Since the flowering rod of the biblical narrative (Num. 17:8) became a symbol of the miraculous birth of Jesus, the iconography of A. grew in importance and entered the typological program of the monumental portals of the Gothic cathedrals (Laon, …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.