And 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.

NUMBERS 17:5KJV
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Numbers 17:5 (KJV)

What does Numbers 17:5 mean?

Numbers 17:5 means that God will show which man He has chosen by making that person's staff blossom, and this sign will put an end to the complaints the Israelites have been making against Moses and Aaron. The verse promises a clear, visible proof of God's choice to settle the ongoing arguments among the people.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses during a time when the Israelites were questioning the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God instructs Moses to collect staffs from each tribe, and the staff of the man God chooses will miraculously blossom. This act is meant to stop the Israelites’ repeated “murmurings,” or complaints, about who should lead them, making it clear that the authority comes from God, not from human decision.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 17:5

  • "Rod" (מַטֶּה, matteh): This word means a staff or stick, often used as a symbol of authority or leadership. Here, it represents the leader of each tribe, making the blossoming a direct sign of God's chosen leader.
  • "Blossom" (פָּרַח, parach): This verb means to bud or bloom. The idea of a dead staff miraculously blossoming is a striking sign of divine approval and life given by God.
  • "Murmurings" (תְּלוּנָּה, telunnah) and "murmur" (לון, lun): These words refer to the Israelites’ ongoing complaints and grumbling. The verse emphasizes that God’s sign is meant to put an end to this cycle of protest.

Why Numbers 17:5 matters

  • Numbers 17:5 clarifies that God’s choice of leaders is not up for debate or human contest, but is shown by a clear, supernatural sign.
  • The verse directly addresses the repeated unrest and dissatisfaction among the Israelites, showing that God responds to doubt with unmistakable evidence.
  • This moment connects to the wider story of Israel’s journey, where God repeatedly confirms Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership in the face of challenge, reinforcing the theme of divine authority.

Where else these words appear

“cease” Hebrew H7918 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 8:1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;
  • Esther 2:1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
  • Esther 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

“murmurings” Hebrew H8519 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 16:7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?
  • Exodus 16:9 And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.
  • Numbers 14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.

“blossom” Hebrew H6524 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Numbers 17:8 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.
  • Isaiah 27:6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

“murmur” Hebrew H3885 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Joshua 4:3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
  • Job 17:2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?