Editing Aaron's rod (section)

==Biblical references==
[[File:Tissot The Rod of Aaron Devours the Other Rods.jpg|thumb|[[James Tissot]], ''The Rod of Aaron Devours the Other Rods'']]
In [[Israelites|Israelite]] culture, the rod ({{Langx|he|מַטֶּה}} ''maṭṭeh'') was a natural symbol of authority,<ref>{{Bibleverse|Psalms|2:9|HE}}, {{Bibleverse-nb|Psalms|89:33|HE}}; {{Bibleverse|Isaiah|10:24|HE}}, {{Bibleverse-nb|Isaiah|11:4|HE}}; {{Bibleverse|Ezekiel|20:37|HE}}.</ref> as the tool used by the [[shepherd]] to correct and guide his [[Herd|flock]].<ref>{{Bibleverse|Psalms|23:4|HE}}.</ref> [[Moses]], in fact, initially carried [[Staff of Moses|his rod]] while tending his sheep,<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|4:2|HE}}.</ref> and later it became his symbol of authority over the Israelites.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|4:20|HE}}.</ref>

The rods of both Moses and Aaron were endowed with miraculous power during the [[Plagues of Egypt]].<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|7:17|HE}}, {{Bibleverse-nb|Exodus|8:12-13|HE}}, {{Bibleverse-nb|Exodus|9:23|HE}}, {{Bibleverse-nb|Exodus|10:13|HE}}.</ref> God commanded Moses to raise his rod over the [[Red Sea]] when [[The crossing of the Red Sea#Narrative|it was to be split]]<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|14:16|HE}}.</ref> and in prayer over Israel in battle;<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|17:9|HE}}.</ref> at [[Meribah]] Moses brought forth water from a stone using his rod.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|17:5–6|HE}}.</ref>

[[File:Hirschvogel The Blossoming of Aarons Rod.jpg|thumb|right|''The Blossoming of Aaron's Rod'', etching by [[Augustin Hirschvogel]]]]
Aaron's rod – perhaps a different rod – reappears in {{Bibleverse|Numbers|16-17|HE}}. Here [[Korah]]'s rebellion against Moses's proclamation of the [[tribe of Levi]] as the [[priesthood]] has been quashed and the entire congregation's ensuing rebellion has resulted in a [[Plague (disease)|plague]], ended only by the intercession of Moses and Aaron. In order to "stop the complaints" of the Israelites, God commands that each of the [[Israelites#Biblical narrative|Twelve Tribes]] provide a rod; and only that of the tribe chosen to become priests will miraculously sprout overnight.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|17:17-20|HE}}.</ref> Aaron provides his rod to represent the tribe of Levi, and "it put forth buds, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds",<ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|17:23|HE}}.</ref> as an evidence of the exclusive right to the priesthood of the tribe of Levi. In commemoration of this decision, it was commanded that the rod be stored "before the testimony".<ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|17:10|HE}}.</ref>

Aaron's rod is cited as exhibiting miraculous power on its own, when not physically held by its owner. In {{Bibleverse|Exodus|7:10-1|HE}}, Aaron "cast down his rod" and it became a [[serpent (symbolism)|serpent]]. When he does so, the Pharaoh's [[Magician (paranormal)|sorcerer]]s counter by similarly casting down their own rods, which also become serpents, but Aaron's rod swallowed them all. Similarly, in {{Bibleverse|Numbers|17:23|HE}} it sprouted blossoms when not being held.<ref name="Jewish Encyclopedia">{{Jewish Encyclopedia|url=http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?letter=A&artid=5|article=Aaron's rod|year=1906|inline=1}}</ref>

[[File:Sarejevohagadah (Aron's rod).gif|thumb|From the [[Sarajevo Haggadah]]]]
[[File:Schnorr von Carolsfeld Bibel in Bildern 1860 060.png|thumb|right|''Aaron's Staff Buds'', 1860 woodcut by [[Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld]]]][[File:Unicorn annunciation.jpg|thumb|Hunt of the Unicorn Annunciation (c. 1500) from a Netherlandish [[book of hours]]. In the [[hortus conclusus]], [[Gideon]]'s fleece is worked in, and the altar at the rear has Aaron's rod that miraculously flowered in the centre. Both are [[Typology (theology)|types]] for the Annunciation.<ref name="schiller54"/>]]
[[File:Al-Tha`labi - Qisas al-Anbiya - Moses and Aaron.png|thumb|Moses and Aaron conjuring a Dragon which attacks the Magician Servants of the Pharaoh, [[al-Tha'labi]]'s ''[[Qisas al-Anbiya|Stories of the Prophets]]'' in the [[Persian language]]]]