Numbers 17:8

Numbers 17:8. Was budded, and brought forth buds, &c.— i.e. as Bishop Patrick ingeniously observes, in some places there was an appearance of buds coming forth: in some, those buds were fully thrust out; in others, they were opened into blossoms; in other parts, knotted and grown into almonds; and all this in the space of one night: a miracle so great and convincing, that we find it had its effect, the authority of Aaron's priesthood never being afterwards (that we hear of) called in question. Grotius has a curious remark here respecting the propriety of producing almonds, in preference to any other fruit. It was intended, says he, to signify the vigilance immediately requisite in the high priest; for the word שׁקד sheked, signifies both that fruit, and this virtue: fructum illum, et hanc virtutem. The almond-tree is so called in the Hebrew, says Parkhurst, because it first of the trees waketh, and riseth from its winter repose: it flowers in the month of January, and by March brings its fruit to maturity; that is, in the warm southern countries. The forwardness of this fruit-bearing tree is intimated to us by the vision of Jeremiah, ch. Num 1:11-12 and also Pliny's Nat. Hist. lib. 16: cap. 25. It would be endless to recount here the fabulous stories respecting the rod of Aaron: those who are inclined to inquiries of this sort, may find their curiosity gratified by referring to Parkhurst and Saurin's 61st Dissertation.