Numbers 17: Aaron's Rod Buds

To end the grumbling, God tells each tribe's leader to bring a staff with his name on it, with Aaron's name on Levi's. The staffs are laid before the covenant. The next morning Aaron's staff has sprouted, budded, blossomed, and borne ripe almonds. It is kept as a sign, and the people fear coming near the tabernacle.

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Bible:

Read Numbers 17

World English Bible · 13 verses

¹ Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² “Speak to the children of Israel, and take rods from them, one for each fathers’ house, of all their princes according to their fathers’ houses, twelve rods. Write each man’s name on his rod.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ You shall write Aaron’s name on Levi’s rod. There shall be one rod for each head of their fathers’ houses.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ You shall lay them up in the Tent of Meeting before the covenant, where I meet with you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ It shall happen that the rod of the man whom I shall choose shall bud. I will make the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you, cease from me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Moses spoke to the children of Israel; and all their princes gave him rods, for each prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, a total of twelve rods. Aaron’s rod was among their rods.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Moses laid up the rods before Yahweh in the Tent of the Testimony.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ Moses brought out all the rods from before Yahweh to all the children of Israel. They looked, and each man took his rod.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Yahweh said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the covenant, to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion; that you may make an end of their complaining against me, that they not die.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Moses did so. As Yahweh commanded him, so he did.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² The children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, we perish! We are undone! We are all undone!This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Everyone who keeps approaching Yahweh’s tabernacle, dies! Will we all perish?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Numbers 17 · Preschool

The Rod That Bloomed

Name Date

Color the flowers and almonds on Aaron's stick! God made it bloom.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“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.”

Numbers 17:8 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Show a dry stick and say: God made a dry stick grow flowers overnight! God can do amazing things.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Numbers 17 · Grade 4

A Dead Stick Comes Alive

Name Date

Read and Think

The people still questioned whether God had chosen Aaron. So God gave a test that no person could fake. Each tribal leader brought a rod, a dry wooden staff, with his name written on it. Aaron's name was on the rod for Levi.

Moses placed the twelve rods in the Tent of the Testimony before the covenant. God promised that the rod of the man He chose would bud. The next morning, Aaron's rod had not only budded but blossomed and produced ripe almonds, all overnight.

God told Moses to keep Aaron's rod before the covenant as a sign against rebellion. Hebrews 9:4 later mentions Aaron's rod that budded as kept in the ark. God settled the question by giving life to something dead. Only God can do that.

Show What You Know

Why was this a test no person could fake?
Whose name was on Levi's rod?
What appeared on Aaron's rod?
What does Hebrews 9:4 mention?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

budrodAarontwelveGod

The people still questioned whether God had chosen .
So gave a test that no person could fake.
Each tribal leader brought a , a dry wooden staff, with his name written on it.
Moses placed the rods in the Tent of the Testimony before the covenant.
God promised that the rod of the man He chose would .

Think About It

How does God show He is in charge in your life?
What is something that seemed dead or hopeless that God could bring to life?

Memory Verse

“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.”

Numbers 17:8 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Your power. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How did this sign show God's patience?
Some Christians see the budding rod as a picture of new life. What might it remind us of?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Numbers 17 · Grade 5

Life from a Dead Staff

Name Date

Read and Think

Korah's rebellion had ended in judgment, yet the people still murmured. God chose a gracious sign to end the dispute without more deaths. He said, It shall happen that the rod of the man whom I shall choose shall bud. I will make the murmurings of the children of Israel cease from me. Each prince brought a rod with his name, and Aaron's name was written on Levi's rod.

Moses laid the rods before Yahweh in the Tent of the Testimony. On the next day, Moses went in; and behold, Aaron's rod had sprouted, budded, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds. A dry stick had gone through a whole season of growth in a single night. Moses brought out the rods, and each leader took his own back, unchanged.

God told Moses to put Aaron's rod back before the covenant to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion. The people cried, Behold, we perish! They feared coming near the tabernacle, and chapter 18 answers that fear. Hebrews 9:4 lists Aaron's rod that budded among the things in the ark. Many believers see in a dead staff bursting into life a reminder of God's power to bring life from death, fully shown when He raised Jesus, our great High Priest.

Show What You Know

Why was this sign gracious?
What happened to Aaron's rod in one night?
What was the rod kept for?
How did the people react?
Where does Hebrews 9:4 say the rod was kept?

Crossword

Across

Aaron's name was on ____'s rod.
Number of rods.
Aaron's rod sprouted and ____.

Down

Moses went in on the ____ day.
The rod was kept as a ____.
Fruit on Aaron's rod.

Think About It

God answered grumbling with a sign of life. How does that show His patience?
What does it mean to you that God can bring life out of death?

Memory Verse

“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.”

Numbers 17:8 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Your power. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How did one budding rod end the grumbling?
What helps you remember the times God has answered you?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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‹ All Numbers chapters · All books

Numbers 17: Aaron's Rod Buds

Read Numbers 17

Worksheets

The Rod That Bloomed

Prayer

Take It Home

God Chose Aaron

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

A Stick That Grew

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

The Budding Rod

Prayer

Take It Home

Aaron's Stick Blooms

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Sprouted, Budded, Blossomed

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

The Budding Rod

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

A Dead Stick Comes Alive

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Life from a Dead Staff

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options