Aaron's Rod That Budded
Numbers 17
After a plague strikes the people for murmuring against Moses and Aaron over the previous day's judgment, Aaron makes atonement with incense and the plague stops. The Lord confirms Aaron's priesthood by causing his rod alone, among the twelve rods of the tribes, to bud, blossom, and bear almonds overnight.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonThen the Lord said to Moses,
BrentonAnd the Lord said to Moses,
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
2
Thomsonand to Eleazar the priest, the son of Aaron, Gather up the brazen censers from among them who were burned; but as for the strange fire, scatter it there.
Brentonand to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, Take up the brazen censers out of the midst of the men that have been burnt, and scatter the strange fire yonder, for they have sanctified the censers
Greekκαὶ πρὸς Ἐλεάζαρ τὸν υἱὸν Ἀαρὼν τὸν ἱερέα, ἀνέλεσθε τὰ πυρεῖα τὰ χαλκᾶ ἐκ μέσου τῶν κατακεκαυμένων, καὶ τὸ πῦρ τὸ ἀλλότριον τοῦτο σπεῖρον ἐκεῖ, ὅτι ἡγίασαν τὰ πυρεῖα τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν τούτων ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς αὐτῶν,
KJVSpeak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.
JPS‘Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the fire-pans out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are become holy;
3
ThomsonBecause they have hallowed the censers of these sinful men with their lives, therefore make them up into thin plates, as a cover for the altar. Because they were presented before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed, and made a sign for the children of Israel.
Brentonof these sinners against their own souls, and do thou make them beaten plates a covering to the altar, because they were brought before the Lord and hallowed; and they became a sign to the children of Israel.
Greekκαὶ ποίησον αὐτὰ λεπίδας ἐλατὰς περίθεμα τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ, ὅτι προσηνέχθησαν ἔναντι Κυρίου καὶ ἡγιάσθησαν· καὶ ἐγένοντο εἰς σημεῖον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ.
KJVThe 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.
JPSeven the fire-pans of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, and let them be made beaten plates for a covering of the altar—for they are become holy, because they were offered before the LORD—that they may be a sign unto the children of Israel.’
4
ThomsonSo Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, took the brazen censers which they who were burned up had presented; and of them made a cover for the altar,
BrentonAnd Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest took the brazen censers, which the men who had been burnt brought near, and they put them as a covering on the altar:
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἐλεάζαρ υἱοὶς Ἀαρὼν τοῦ ἱερέως τὰ πυρεῖα τὰ χαλκᾶ, ὅσα προσήνεγκαν οἱ κατακεκαυμένοι, καὶ προσέθηκαν αὐτὰ περίθεμα τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ,
KJVAnd Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
JPSAnd Eleazar the priest took the brazen fire-pans, which they that were burnt had offered; and they beat them out for a covering of the altar,
5
Thomsona memorial to the children of Israel, that none of another family, who is not of the seed of Aaron, should come near to present incense before the Lord, lest he be like Kore, and his confederacy, as the Lord spoke to him by the ministry of Moses.
Brentona memorial to the children of Israel that no stranger might draw nigh, who is not of the seed of Aaron, to offer incense before the Lord; so he shall not be as Core and as they that conspired with him, as the Lord spoke to him by the hand of Moses.
Greekμνημόσυνον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ, ὅπως ἂν μὴ προσέλθῃ μηδὶς ἀλλογενής, ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος Ἀαρὼν, ἐπιθεῖναι θυμίαμα ἔναντι Κυρίου· καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὥσπερ Κορὲ, καὶ ἡ ἐπισύστασις αὐτοῦ, καθὰ ἐλάλησε Κύριος ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ αὐτῷ.
KJVTo 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.
JPSto be a memorial unto the children of Israel, to the end that no common man, that is not of the seed of Aaron, draw near to burn incense before the LORD; that he fare not as Korah, and as his company; as the LORD spoke unto him by the hand of Moses.
6
ThomsonOn the next day, when the people murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, You have slain the people of the Lord—
BrentonAnd the children of Israel murmured the next day against Moses and Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγόγγυσαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τῇ ἐπαύριον ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν καὶ Ἀαρὼν, λέγοντες, ὑμεῖς ἀπεκτάγκατε τὸν λαὸν Κυρίου.
KJVBut on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
JPSBut on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying: ‘Ye have killed the people of the LORD.’
7
Thomsonwhen, in their insurrection against Moses and Aaron, the congregation were rushing upon the tabernacle of the testimony, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.
BrentonAnd it came to pass when the congregation combined against Moses and Aaron, that they ran impetuously to the tabernacle of witness; and the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἐπισυστρέφεσθαι τὴν συναγωγὴν ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν καὶ Ἀαρὼν, καὶ ὥρμησαν ἐπὶ τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου· καὶ τήνδε ἐκάλυψεν αὐτὴν ἡ νεφέλη, καὶ ὤφθη ἡ δόξα Κυρίου.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd it came to pass, when the congregation was assembled against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tent of meeting; and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
8
ThomsonAnd Moses went in, with Aaron, in front of the tabernacle of the testimony,
BrentonAnd Moses and Aaron went in, in front of the tabernacle of witness.
GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθε Μωυσῆς καὶ Ἀαρὼν κατὰ πρόσωπον τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου.
KJVAnd Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
JPSAnd Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting.
9
Thomsonand the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ Ἀαρὼν, λέγων,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
10
ThomsonWithdraw from among this congregation, and I will destroy them all at once. Whereupon they fell on their face.
BrentonDepart out of the midst of this congregation, and I will consume them at once: and they fell upon their faces.
Greekἐκχωρήσατε ἐκ μέσου τῆς συναγωγῆς ταύτης, καὶ ἐξαναλώσω αὐτοὺς εἰσάπαξ· καὶ ἔπεσον ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν.
KJVGet you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
JPS’Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.’ And they fell upon their faces.
11
ThomsonAnd Moses said to Aaron, Take the censer, and put therein fire from the altar, and throw incense on it, and carry it with all haste to the camp, and make atonement for them; for wrath is gone forth from the presence of the Lord, and hath begun to slay the people.
BrentonAnd Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer, and put on it fire from the altar, and put incense on it, and carry it away quickly into the camp, and make atonement for them; for wrath is gone forth from the presence of the Lord, it has begun to destroy the people.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Μωυσῆς πρὸς Ἀαρὼν, λάβε τὸ πυρεῖον, καὶ ἐπίθες ἐπʼ αὐτὸ πῦρ ἀπὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου, καὶ ἐπίβαλε ἐπʼ αὐτὸ θυμίαμα, καὶ ἀπένεγκε τοτάχος εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν, καὶ ἐξίλασαι περὶ αὐτῶν· ἐξῆλθε γὰρ ὀργὴ ἀπὸ προσώπου Κυρίου, ἦρκται θραύειν τὸν λαόν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd Moses said unto Aaron: ‘Take thy fire-pan, and put fire therein from off the altar, and lay incense thereon, and carry it quickly unto the congregation, and make atonement for them; for there is wrath gone out from the LORD: the plague is begun.’
12
ThomsonSo Aaron took as Moses commanded him, and ran into the congregation; (Now the destruction among the people had already begun) and he threw on the incense, and made atonement for the people,
BrentonAnd Aaron took as Moses spoke to him, and ran among the congregation, for already the plague had begun among the people; and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἀαρὼν καθάπερ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ Μωυσῆς, καὶ ἔδραμεν εἰς τὴν συναγωγήν· καὶ ἤδη ἐνῆρκτο ἡ θραῦσις ἐν τῷ λαῷ· καὶ ἐπέβαλε τὸ θυμίαμα καὶ ἐξιλάσατο περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd Aaron took as Moses spoke, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people; and he put on the incense, and made atonement for the people.
13
Thomsonand stood between the dead and the living; and the plague ceased.
BrentonAnd he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague ceased.
GreekΚαὶ ἔστη ἀναμέσον τῶν τεθνηκότων καὶ τῶν ζώντων, καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις.
KJVAnd he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
JPSAnd he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
14
ThomsonNow they who died by the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides those who died on the account of Kore.
BrentonAnd they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides those that died on account of Core.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένοντο οἱ τεθνηκότες ἐν τῇ θραύσει τεσσαρεσκαίδεκα χιλιάδες καὶ ἑπτακόσιοι, χωρὶς τῶν τεθνηκότων ἕνεκεν Κορέ.
KJVNow they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
JPSNow they that died by the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides them that died about the matter of Korah.
15
ThomsonWhen Aaron returned to Moses to the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, the plague had ceased.
BrentonAnd Aaron returned to Moses to the door of the tabernacle of witness, and the plague ceased.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψεν Ἀαρὼν πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου, καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις.
KJVAnd Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.
JPSAnd Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tent of meeting, and the plague was stayed.
16
ThomsonTHE Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
17
ThomsonSpeak to the children of Israel, and take of them a staff—a staff for every house of patriarchal families—from all the chiefs of the respective houses of patriarchal families twelve staves; and write every one’s name on his staff;
BrentonSpeak to the children of Israel, and take rods of them, according to the houses of their families, a rod from all their princes, according to the houses of their families, twelve rods, and write the name of each on his rod.
Greekλάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ λάβε παρʼ αὐτῶν ῥάβδον, ῥάβδον κατʼ οἴκους πατριῶν παρὰ πάντων τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτῶν, κατʼ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν, δώδεκα ῥάβδους, καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶγραψον ἐπὶ τῆς ῥάβδου.
KJVSpeak 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.
JPS‘Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of them rods, one for each fathers’house, of all their princes according to their fathers’houses, twelve rods; thou shalt write every man’s name upon his rod.
18
Thomsonand on the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name; for he is one staff. The chief of the house of the head family in every tribe shall give;
BrentonAnd write the name of Aaron on the rod of Levi; for it is one rod for each: they shall give them according to the tribe of the house of their families.
GreekΚαὶ τὸ ὄνομα Ἀαρὼν ἐπίγραψον ἐπὶ τῆς ῥάβδου Λευί· ἔστι γὰρ ῥάβδος μία· κατὰ φυλὴν οἴκου πατριῶν αὐτῶν δώσουσι.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi, for there shall be one rod for the head of their fathers’houses.
19
Thomsonand thou shalt lay them in the tabernacle of the testimony, over against the testimony. By these I will there make Myself known to thee;
BrentonAnd thou shalt put them in the tabernacle of witness, before the testimony, where I will be made known to thee.
GreekΚαὶ θήσεις αὐτὰς ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, κατέναντι τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ἐν οἷς γνωσθήσομαί σοι ἐκεῖ.
KJVAnd thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.
JPSAnd thou shalt lay them up in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you.
20
Thomsonand it shall come to pass, that the staff of the man whom I will choose, shall bloom; and I will remove from Me this murmuring of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you.
BrentonAnd it shall be, the man whom I shall choose, his rod shall blossom; and I will remove from me the murmuring of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξωμαι αὐτὸν, ἡ ῥάβδος αὐτοῦ ἐκβλαστήσει· καὶ περιελῶ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ τὸν γογγυσμὸν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ, ἃ αὐτοὶ γογγύζουσιν ἐφʼ ὑμῖν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd it shall come to pass, that the man whom I shall choose, his rod shall bud; and I will make to cease from Me the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you.’
21
ThomsonSo Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and all the chiefs gave him, every one a staff—for every chief a staff, according to the houses of their patriarchal families, twelve staves, with Aaron’s staff among theirs.
BrentonAnd Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and all their chiefs gave him a rod each, for one chief a rod, according to the house of their families, twelve rods; and the rod of Aaron was in the midst of the rods.
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Μωυσῆς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ· καὶ ἔδωκαν αὐτῷ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες αὐτῶν ῥάβδον· τῷ ἄρχοντι τῷ ἑνὶ ῥάβδον κατʼ ἄρχοντα, κατʼ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν, δώδεκα ῥάβδους· καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἀναμέσον τῶν ῥάβδων αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd Moses spake 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.
JPSAnd Moses spoke unto the children of Israel; and all their princes gave him rods, for each prince one, according to their fathers’houses, even twelve rods; and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.
22
ThomsonAnd Moses laid the staves before the Lord in the tabernacle of the testimony.
BrentonAnd Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθηκε Μωυσῆς τὰς ῥάβδους ἔναντι Κυρίου ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου.
KJVAnd Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.
JPSAnd Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tent of the testimony.
23
ThomsonAnd on the next day when Moses went in with Aaron into the tabernacle of the testimony, behold Aaron’s staff, for the house of Levi, had bloomed and brought forth a bud, and had shot forth blossoms, and produced almonds.
BrentonAnd it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi blossomed, and put forth a bud, and bloomed blossoms and produced almonds.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγενετο τῇ ἐπαύριον, καὶ εἰσῆλθε Μωυσῆς καὶ Ἀαρὼν ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐβλάστησεν ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν εἰς οἶκον Λευί, καὶ ἐξήνεγκε βλαστὸν, καὶ ἐξήνθησεν ἄνθη, καὶ ἐβλάστησε κάρυα.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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 bloomed blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.
24
ThomsonAnd Moses brought out all the staves from the presence of the Lord, before all the children of Israel. And when they saw and had taken everyone his staff,
BrentonAnd Moses brought forth all the rods from before the Lord to all the sons of Israel; and they looked, and each one took his rod.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξήνεγκε Μωυσῆς πάσας τὰς ῥάβδους ἀπὸ προσώπου Κυρίου πρὸς πάντας υἱοὺς Ἰσραήλ· καὶ εἶδον, καὶ ἔλαβον ἕκαστος τὴν ῥάβδον αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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
Thomsonthe Lord said to Moses, Lay up Aaron’s staff again before the testimonies, to be kept as a sign for the children of these rebellious men; and let their murmuring cease from me that they may not die.
BrentonAnd the Lord said to Moses, Lay up the rod of Aaron before the testimonies to be kept as a sign for the children of the disobedient; and let their murmuring cease from me, and they shall not die.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, ἀπόθες τὴν ῥάβδον Ἀαρὼν ἐνώπιον τῶν μαρτυρίων εἰς διατήρησιν, σημεῖον τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνηκόων· καὶ παυσάσθω ὁ γογγυσμὸς αὐτῶν ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνωσι.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSand the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept there, for a token against the rebellious children; that there may be made an end of their murmurings against Me, that they die not.’
26
ThomsonSo Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded Moses.
BrentonAnd Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded Moses, so did they.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε Μωυσῆς καὶ Ἀαρὼν, καθὰ συνέταξε κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ, οὕτως ἐποίησαν.
KJVAnd Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.
JPSThus did Moses; as the LORD commanded him, so did he.
27
ThomsonAnd when they had done so, the sons of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, Behold, we have been wasted, we have been destroyed, we have been cut off suddenly;
BrentonAnd the children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, Behold, we are cut off, we are destroyed, we are consumed.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγοντες, ἰδοὺ ἐξανηλώμεθα, ἀπολώλαμεν, παρανηλώμεθα.
KJVAnd the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
JPSAnd the children of Israel spoke unto Moses, saying: ‘Behold, we perish, we are undone, we are all undone.
28
Thomsoneveryone who toucheth the tabernacle of the Lord dieth. Must we all die?
BrentonEvery one that touches the tabernacle of the Lord, dies: shall we die utterly?
GreekΠᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῆς σκηυῆς Κυρίου, ἀποθνήσκει· ἕως εἰς τέλος ἀποθάνωμεν;
KJVWhosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
JPSEvery one that cometh near, that cometh near unto the tabernacle of the LORD, is to die; shall we wholly perish?’