Numbers 17:2

Translations

Modern

“Speak to the Israelites and take from them twelve staffs, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each man’s name on his staff,

Traditional

Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod.

Literal

“Speak to the sons of Israel, and get from them a staff, a rod from each house of a father, all their leaders according to the house of their father, twelve rods. You shall write the name of each man on his rod.

Latin

Loquere ad filios Israël, et accipe ab eis virgas singulas per cognationes suas, a cunctis principibus tribuum, virgas duodecim, et uniuscujusque nomen superscribes virgæ suæ.

Original

Hebrew

English

“Speak to the Israelites and take from them twelve staffs, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each man’s name on his staff,

Notes

Numbers 17:1–5

The shepherd's staff was a common item (see Psalm 23:4). Like the scepter, it symbolized authority (see Jeremiah 48:17). This trial was fitting because the Hebrew words for "staffs" and "tribes" sound the same. The Lord's chosen staff would show his chosen tribe.

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 Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 49:10
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
Exodus 4:2
And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.
Numbers 1:5–16
These are the names of the men who are to assist you: From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur;
Ezekiel 21:10
…it is sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? The sword despises every such stick.
Ezekiel 37:16–20
“And you, son of man, take a single stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Judah and to the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and to all the house of Israel associated with him.’
Ezekiel 21:13
Surely testing will come! And what if even the scepter, which the sword despises, does not continue?’ declares the Lord GOD.
Micah 7:14
Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
Ezekiel 19:14
Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.”
Numbers 2:3–30
On the east side, toward the sunrise, the divisions of Judah are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Judahites is Nahshon son of Amminadab,
Numbers 10:14–27
First, the divisions of the camp of Judah set out under their standard, with Nahshon son of Amminadab in command.
Psalm 125:3
For the scepter of the wicked will not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not put forth their hands to injustice.
Exodus 4:17
But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it.”

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

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

Topics

Government: Executive officers of Tribes and Cities Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Returned by the Way to the Red Sea: God's Choice of Aaron Confirmed Levites of the Amramites, Aaron and his Family Were Set Apart As Priests Miracles: Catalogue of Aaron's Rod Buds Miracles: Design of

Numbers 17:2

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