Numbers 17:10

Translations

Modern

The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.”

Traditional

And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.

Literal

And YHWH said to Moses, “Bring back the rod of Aaron before the face of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put away their complaints against Me, lest they die.”

Latin

Dixitque Dominus ad Moysen: Refer virgam Aaron in tabernaculum testimonii, ut servetur ibi in signum rebellium filiorum Israël, et quiescant querelæ eorum a me, ne moriantur.

Original

Hebrew

English

The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.”

Notes

Numbers 17:9–11

After each tribal leader claimed his staff, it was clear that Aaron’s deserved special treatment. They placed it permanently in front of the ark of the covenant to warn potential rebels. It would also warn Israelites who complained about the Lord and his appointed leaders. The ark of the covenant eventually contained this staff, a jar of manna, and the stone tablets of the law (compare Hebrews 9:4). This was to remind the Israelites of their time wandering in the wilderness.

Numbers 17:1–13

The Lord gave another test to make the lesson clear. This test repeated the teaching from the events in chapter 16. It also prepared the people for the instructions that follow in chapter 18.

Numbers 16:1–17:13

Another rebellion demanded a clear separation of duties between priests and Levites. This power struggle was more serious than previous rebellions against God's authority (chapter 11; 12:1–15; 14:1–45).

In these historical events, the rebels protested minor issues and questioned their leaders' actions. Yet, Moses reminded them that they were actually rebelling against God. As a result, the Israelites suffered deadly consequences for their rebellion.

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron Moses

Related verses

Hebrews 9:4
…containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
Isaiah 1:2
Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.
Exodus 16:32
Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Keep an omer of manna for the generations to come, so that they may see the bread I fed you in the wilderness when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”
Numbers 16:40
…just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.
Psalm 57:4
My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts—with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
Deuteronomy 31:19–26
Now therefore, write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it, so that it may be a witness for Me against them.
Deuteronomy 9:24
You have been rebelling against the LORD since the day I came to know you.
Numbers 16:38
As for the censers of those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, hammer them into sheets to overlay the altar, for these were presented before the LORD, and so have become holy. They will serve as a sign to the Israelites.”
1 Samuel 2:12
Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD
1 Samuel 30:22
…but all the wicked and worthless men among those who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered, except for each man’s wife and children. They may take them and go.”
Ephesians 2:2–3
…in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Aaron’s Rod Ark of the Covenant Courts and Trials Deuteronomy, Book of Kadesh, Kadesh-Barnea Numbers, Book of Tabernacle Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Ark of the Covenant: The Pot of Manna and Aaron's Rod Laid up Before Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Aaron's Rod Holy of Holies: Contained: Aaron's Rod Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Returned by the Way to the Red Sea: God's Choice of Aaron Confirmed Miracles: Design of Murmuring: Against God Token: Aaron's Rod

Numbers 17:10

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