Aaron’s Rod That Budded

After Korah’s rebellion, the people keep grumbling against Moses and Aaron. To put an end to the complaints, the LORD tells Moses to take twelve rods, one for each tribal leader, with each man’s name written on his own; on the rod of Levi, Aaron’s name is to be written. Moses lays them up in the tent of the testimony, before the testimony, for the LORD has said, “The man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom.” The next day, Moses goes into the tent: the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi has budded! It has brought forth buds, bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. Moses gives each leader his rod back, then puts Aaron’s rod before the testimony again, to be kept as a token against the rebels. Terrified, the people cry out, “Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish!”