Num 17:10-13 | NET2full | STEP | The Lord said to Moses , “ Bring Aaron’s staff back before the testimony to be preserved for a sign to the rebels , so that you may bring their murmurings to an end before me, that they will not die .”

Numbers 17:10-13

The Memorial

10 The Lord said to Moses, “Bring Aaron’s staff back before the testimony to be preserved for a sign to the rebels, so that you may bring their murmurings to an end ^{▼▼tn The verb means “to finish; to complete” and here “to bring to an end.” It is the imperfect following the imperative, and so introduces a purpose clause (as a final imperfect).} before me, that they will not die.” ^{▼▼tn This is another final imperfect in a purpose clause.} 11 So Moses did as the Lord commanded him—this is what he did.

12 The Israelites said to Moses, “We are bound to die! ^{▼▼tn The use of הֵן (hen) and the perfect tense in the nuance of a prophetic perfect expresses their conviction that they were bound to die—it was certain (see GKC 312-13 §106.n).} We perish, we all perish! 13 (17:28) ^{▼▼sn Num 17:13 in the English Bible is 17:28 in the Hebrew text (BHS). See also the note on 16:36.} Anyone who even comes close to the tabernacle of the Lord will die! Are we all to die?” ^{▼▼tn The verse stresses the completeness of their death: “will we be consumed by dying” (הַאִם תַּמְנוּ לִגְוֹעַ, haʾim tamnu ligvoaʿ).}