James Frederick McCurdy, and Louis Ginzberg

“ AARON'S ROD.— Biblical Data: A rod which, in the hands of Aaron, the high priest, was endowed with miraculous power during the several plagues that preceded the Exodus. In this function the rod of Moses was equally potent. Upon two occassions, however, the singular virtue of spontaneous power, when not in the grasp of its possessor, was exhibited by Aaron's Rod. At one time it swallowed the rods of the Egyptian magicians, and at another it blossomed and bore fruit in the Tabernacle, as an evidence of the exclusive right to the priesthood of the tribe of Levi (See Aaron) . ”

“ Joshua received it from Closes and made use of it in his wars (Josh. viii. 18) : and Jusluia. in tiirn. delivered it to Phinehas. who buried it in Jerusalem. There it remained hidden until the birth of Jesus, when the place of its concealment was revealed to Joseph, who took it with him on the journey to Egy) it. ”