Numbers 17:8

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֗ת
And it came to pass that on the morrow
the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow
#3
וַיָּבֹ֤א
went
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
מֹשֶׁה֙
Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
אֹ֣הֶל
into the tabernacle
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#7
הָֽעֵד֔וּת
of witness
testimony
#8
וְהִנֵּ֛ה
lo!
#9
פָּרַ֥ח
was budded
to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish
#10
מַטֵּֽה
and behold the rod
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#11
אַהֲרֹ֖ן
of Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#12
לְבֵ֣ית
for the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#13
לֵוִ֑י
of Levi
levi, a son of jacob
#14
וַיֹּ֤צֵֽא
and brought forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#15
פֶ֙רַח֙
buds
a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom
#16
וַיָּ֣צֵֽץ
and bloomed
to twinkle, i.e., glance
#17
צִ֔יץ
blossoms
properly, glistening, i.e., a burnished plate; a wing (as gleaming in the air)
#18
וַיִּגְמֹ֖ל
and yielded
to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean
#19
שְׁקֵדִֽים׃
almonds
the almond (tree or nut; as being the earliest in bloom)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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