Numbers 17
Commentary from 3 fathers
of 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.
ὅτι ἡγίασαν τὰ πυρεῖα τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν τούτων ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς αὐτῶν· καὶ ποίησον αὐτὰ λεπίδας ἐλατὰς περίθεμα τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ, ὅτι προσηνέχθησαν ἔναντι Κυρίου καὶ ἡγιάσθησαν καὶ ἐγένοντο εἰς σημεῖον τοῖς υἱοῖς ᾿Ισραήλ.
и҆ и҆́мѧ а҆арѡ́не напишѝ на жезлѣ̀ леѵі́инѣ: є҆́сть бо же́злъ є҆ди́нъ: по пле́мени до́мꙋ ѻ҆те́чествъ свои́хъ да дадѧ́тъ:
And 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:
καὶ ἔλαβεν ᾿Ελεάζαρ υἱὸς ᾿Ααρὼν τοῦ ἱερέως τὰ πυρεῖα τὰ χαλκᾶ, ὅσα προσήνεγκαν οἱ κατακεκαυμένοι, καὶ προσέθηκαν αὐτὰ περίθεμα τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ,
и҆ да положи́ши и҆̀хъ въ ски́нїи свидѣ́нїѧ, прѧ́мѡ свидѣ́нїю, въ ни́хже ꙗ҆влю́сѧ тебѣ̀ тꙋ̀:
a 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.
μνημόσυνον τοῖς υἱοῖς ᾿Ισραήλ, ὅπως ἂν μὴ προσέλθῃ μηδεὶς ἀλλογενής, ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος ᾿Ααρών, ἐπιθεῖναι θυμίαμα ἔναντι Κυρίου καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὥσπερ Κορὲ καὶ ἡ ἐπισύστασις αὐτοῦ, καθὰ ἐλάλησε Κύριος ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ αὐτῷ.
и҆ бꙋ́детъ человѣ́къ, є҆го́же а҆́ще и҆зберꙋ̀, же́злъ є҆гѡ̀ прозѧ́бнетъ: и҆ ѿимꙋ̀ ѿ менє̀ ропта́нїе сынѡ́въ і҆и҃левыхъ, є҆ли̑ка сі́и ро́пщꙋтъ на вы̀.
And the children of Israel murmured the next day against Moses and Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.
Καὶ ἐγόγγυσαν οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ τῇ ἐπαύριον ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν καὶ ᾿Ααρὼν λέγοντες· ὑμεῖς ἀπεκτάγκατε τὸν λαὸν Κυρίου.
И҆ глаго́ла мѡѷсе́й сынѡ́мъ і҆и҃лєвымъ: и҆ да́ша є҆мꙋ̀ всѝ кнѧ̑зи и҆́хъ по жезлꙋ̀, кнѧ́зѧ є҆ди́нагѡ же́злъ, по кнѧже́нїю, по домѡ́мъ ѻ҆те́чествъ и҆́хъ, двана́десѧть жезлѡ́въ: и҆ же́злъ а҆арѡ́нь посредѣ̀ жезлѡ́въ и҆́хъ.
And 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.
καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἐπισυστρέφεσθαι τὴν συναγωγὴν ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν καὶ ᾿Ααρὼν καὶ ὥρμησαν ἐπὶ τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου, καὶ τήνδε ἐκάλυψεν αὐτὴν ἡ νεφέλη καὶ ὤφθη ἡ δόξα Κυρίου.
И҆ положѝ мѡѷсе́й жезлы̀ пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ въ ски́нїи свидѣ́нїѧ.
And Moses and Aaron went in, in front of the tabernacle of witness.
καὶ εἰσῆλθε Μωυσῆς καὶ ᾿Ααρὼν κατὰ πρόσωπον τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου.
И҆ бы́сть на ᲂу҆́трїе, и҆ вни́де мѡѷсе́й и҆ а҆арѡ́нъ въ ски́нїю свидѣ́нїѧ: и҆ сѐ, прозѧбѐ же́злъ а҆арѡ́нь въ домꙋ̀ леѵі́инѣ, и҆ и҆зрастѝ вѣ́твь, и҆ процвѣто́ша цвѣ́ти, и҆ и҆зрастѝ ѻ҆рѣ́хи:
In the book of the prophet it is written: "Take to thyself the rod of an almond tree." We ought to consider why the Lord said this to the prophet, for it was not written without a purpose, since in the Pentateuch too we read that the almond rod of Aaron the priest, after being long laid up, blossomed. For the Lord seems to signify by the rod that the prophetic or priestly authority ought to be straightforward, and to advise not so much what is pleasant as what is expedient.
Letter 41
And so He Himself also chose Aaron as priest, that not the will of man but the grace of God should have the chief part in the election of the priest; not the voluntary offering of himself, nor the taking it upon himself, but the vocation from heaven, that he should offer gifts for sins who could be touched for those who sinned, for He Himself, it is said, bears our weakness. No one ought to take this honour upon himself but they are called of God, as was Aaron, and so Christ did not demand but received the priesthood.
Epistle 63
For Paul came to preach the cross of the Lord, always green like the holly oak, and the nuts, which have a harder shell and a tender fruit, and rightly so, for the priestly rod of Aaron was a nut tree, and the staff of Jeremiah was of the same kind. Who would doubt that silver is also a dual-purpose, not idle gift; when both the life of the Patriarchs and the discourse of the Apostles always flourish in the hearts of individuals; and the speech of the saints, like silver tested by fire, shines with the bright light of salutary instruction? And not without reason do they refer to dual-purpose silver in which the coming of Paul was prefigured, who bestowed double honor on the laboring elders in word and doctrine.
On Joseph the Patriarch
There is only one true high priest, as Scripture says, of whom the high priest Aaron presented a figure. For this reason his rod blossomed. Just as Aaron’s rod sprouted among the Jewish people, so the cross of Christ flowered among the Gentiles. However, since Christ is the true high priest, as we have often said, he is the only one whose rod of the cross not only sprouted but also blossomed and produced the fruit of all believers.What is the fruit which it bore? “Ripe almonds.” Almonds are nuts, brethren. This fruit is bitter indeed in its first covering, is protected and defended by the second, but in the third part [it] feeds and nourishes whoever eats it. Such then is knowledge of the law and the prophets in Christ’s church. The first appearance of the letter is quite bitter, because it commands circumcision of the flesh, enjoins sacrifices and ordains other things which are designated as the killing letter. Throw away all these things as the bitter shell of the nut. In the second place, you will come to the protective covering, in which is indicated moral doctrine or the idea of self-restraint. This is necessary for the protection of what is kept inside but doubtless must sometimes be broken and destroyed. For example, fasting and chastisement of the body are no doubt necessary as long as we are in this corruptible body which is subject to suffering. However, when it has been destroyed and dissolved at the approach of death, it will become incorruptible at the time of the resurrection when it has been restored from corruption, spiritual after being natural, and without any flattery to the body will dominate, with no difficult suffering or propitiatory fasting but by its own nature. Thus then that rather hard covering of the nut seems to be a means of self-control at present that will not be sought later. Third, you will find hidden as in the nut the secret meaning of the mysteries of God’s wisdom and knowledge. With these, holy souls are nourished and fed not only in the present life but also in the future one. This is that priestly fruit concerning which it is promised to those “who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.”
Sermon 111.1-2
And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
καὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ ᾿Ααρὼν λέγων·
и҆ и҆знесѐ мѡѷсе́й всѧ̑ жезлы̀ ѿ лица̀ гдⷭ҇нѧ ко всѣ̑мъ сынѡ́мъ і҆и҃лєвымъ: и҆ ви́дѣша, и҆ взѧ̀ кі́йждо же́злъ сво́й.
Depart out of the midst of this congregation, and I will consume them at once: and they fell upon their faces.
ἐκχωρήσατε ἐκ μέσου τῆς συναγωγῆς ταύτης, καὶ ἐξαναλώσω αὐτοὺς εἰσάπαξ. καὶ ἔπεσον ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν.
И҆ речѐ гдⷭ҇ь къ мѡѷсе́ю: ѿложѝ же́злъ а҆арѡ́нь пред̾ свидѣ́нїемъ въ сохране́нїе, въ зна́менїе сынѡ́въ ѡ҆слꙋшли́выхъ: и҆ да преста́нетъ ропта́нїе и҆́хъ ѿ менє̀, и҆ не и҆́змрꙋтъ.
And 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.
καὶ εἶπε Μωυσῆς πρὸς ᾿Ααρών· λάβε τὸ πυρεῖον καὶ ἐπίθες ἐπ’ αὐτὸ πῦρ ἀπὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ ἐπίβαλε ἐπ’ αὐτὸ θυμίαμα καὶ ἀπένεγκε τὸ τάχος εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν καὶ ἐξίλασαι περὶ αὐτῶν· ἐξῆλθε γὰρ ὀργὴ ἀπὸ προσώπου Κυρίου, ἦρκται θραύειν τὸν λαόν.
И҆ сотворѝ мѡѷсе́й и҆ а҆арѡ́нъ, ꙗ҆́коже повелѣ̀ гдⷭ҇ь мѡѷсе́ю, та́кѡ сотвори́ша.
And 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.
καὶ ἔλαβεν ᾿Ααρών, 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
И҆ реко́ша сы́нове і҆и҃лєвы къ мѡѷсе́ю, глаго́люще: сѐ, потреби́хомсѧ, погибо́хомъ, и҆счезо́хомъ:
And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague ceased.
καὶ ἔστη ἀναμέσον τῶν τεθνηκότων καὶ τῶν ζώντων, καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις.
всѧ́къ прикаса́ѧйсѧ ко ски́нїи свидѣ́нїѧ гдⷭ҇нѧ ᲂу҆мира́етъ: да́же до конца́ ли ᲂу҆мира́юще поги́бнемъ;
And they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides those that died on account of Core.
καὶ ἐγένοντο οἱ τεθνηκότες ἐν τῇ θραύσει τεσσαρεσκαίδεκα χιλιάδες καὶ ἑπτακόσιοι, χωρὶς τῶν τεθνηκότων ἕνεκεν Κορέ.
And Aaron returned to Moses to the door of the tabernacle of witness, and the plague ceased.
καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν ᾿Ααρών πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου, καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις.
Speak 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.
λάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ λάβε παρ’ αὐτῶν ῥάβδον ράβδον κατ’ οἴκους πατριῶν παρὰ πάντων τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτῶν, κατ’ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν, δώδεκα ράβδους, καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐπίγραψον ἐπὶ τῆς ράβδου.
And 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.
καὶ τὸ ὄνομα ᾿Ααρὼν ἐπίγραψον ἐπὶ τῆς ράβδου Λευί· ἔστι γὰρ ράβδος μία, κατὰ φυλὴν οἴκου πατριῶν αὐτῶν δώσουσι.
And thou shalt put them in the tabernacle of witness, before the testimony, where I will be made known to thee.
καὶ θήσεις αὐτὰς ἐν τῇσκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, κατέναντι τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ἐν οἷς γνωσθήσομαί σοι ἐκεῖ.
And 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.
καὶ ἔσται ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξωμαι αὐτόν, ἡ ράβδος αὐτοῦ ἐκβλαστήσει· καὶ περιελῶ ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ τὸν γογγυσμὸν υἱῶν ᾿Ισραήλ, ἃ αὐτοὶ γογγύζουσιν ἐφ’ ὑμῖν.
And 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.
καὶ ἐλάλησε Μωυσῆς τοῖς υἱοῖς ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ ἔδωκαν αὐτῷ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες αὐτῶν ράβδον, τῷ ἄρχοντι τῷ ἑνὶ ράβδον κατ’ ἄρχοντα, κατ’ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν, δώδεκα ράβδους, καὶ ἡ ράβδος ᾿Ααρὼν ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ράβδων αὐτῶν.
And Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness.
καὶ ἀπέθηκε Μωυσῆς τὰς ράβδους ἔναντι Κυρίου ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου.
And 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.
καὶ ἐγένετο τῇ ἐπαύριον καὶ εἰσῆλθε Μωυσῆς καὶ ᾿Ααρὼν ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐβλάστησεν ἡ ράβδος ᾿Ααρὼν εἰς οἶκον Λευὶ καὶ ἐξήνεγκε βλαστὸν καὶ ἐξήνθησεν ἄνθη καὶ ἐβλάστησε κάρυα.
And 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.
καὶ ἐξήνεγκε Μωυσῆς πάσας τὰς ράβδους ἀπὸ προσώπου Κυρίου πρὸς πάντας υἱοὺς ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ εἶδον καὶ ἔλαβον ἕκαστος τὴν ράβδον αὐτοῦ.
And 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.
καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· ἀπόθες τὴν ράβδον ᾿Ααρὼν ἐνώπιον τῶν μαρτυρίων εἰς διατήρησιν, σημεῖον τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνηκόων, καὶ παυσάσθω ὁ γογγυσμὸς αὐτῶν ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνωσι.
And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded Moses, so did they.
καὶ ἐποίησε Μωυσῆς καὶ ᾿Ααρών, καθὰ συνέταξε Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ, οὕτως ἐποίησαν.
And the children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, Behold, we are cut off, we are destroyed, we are consumed.
καὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγοντες· ἰδοὺ ἐξανηλώμεθα, ἀπολώλαμεν, παρανηλώμεθα·
Every one that touches the tabernacle of the Lord, dies: shall we die utterly?
πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῆς σκηνῆς Κυρίου ἀποθνήσκει· ἕως εἰς τέλος ἀποθάνωμεν;
and 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
καὶ πρὸς ᾿Ελεάζαρ τὸν υἱὸν ᾿Ααρὼν τὸν ἱερέα· ἀνέλεσθε τὰ πυρεῖα τὰ χαλκᾶ ἐκ μέσου τῶν κατακεκαυμένων καὶ τὸ πῦρ τὸ ἀλλότριον τοῦτο σπεῖρον ἐκεῖ,
глаго́ли сынѡ́мъ і҆и҃лєвымъ, и҆ возмѝ ѿ ни́хъ по є҆ди́номꙋ жезлꙋ̀, же́злъ ѿ всѣ́хъ кнѧзе́й и҆́хъ, по домѡ́мъ ѻ҆те́чества и҆́хъ, двана́десѧть жезлѡ́въ, и҆́мѧ же коегѡ́ждо напишѝ на жезлѣ̀ є҆гѡ̀,