This section recounts the plague that afflicted the Israelites in the desert (Nm 16:44-50). No parallel is drawn with the Egyptians; instead, the emphasis is on the difference—the plague did not last long, thanks to the priest Aaron. The description of Aaron’s priestly garments is interesting because it combines, on one hand, biblical tradition—for example, “the four rows of carved stones” symbolized the tribes or patriarchs (Ex 28:15-21); and the “diadem” represented the greatness of priestly dignity (Ex 28:36)—and, on the other hand, Jewish tradition—where the tunic represented the sky, the sash the ocean, and the shoulder clasps the sun and moon. The history of the biblical people is full of failures and infidelities, but what is most surprising is that it is always God who initiates the restoration of the relationship. The most remarkable proof of this is the sacrifice of His own Son. Through this, believers recognize that mercy is more important than justice.