Numbers 17

Numbers 17:1

And the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 17:1 · BSB

Numbers 17:2

“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,

Numbers 17:2 · BSB

a rod The word matteh signifies a staff , or sceptre , which the prince or chief of each tribe bore , and which was the sign of office or royalty among almost all the people of the earth.

Numbers 17:3

and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, because there must be one staff for the head of each tribe.

Numbers 17:3 · BSB

Numbers 17:4

Place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you.

Numbers 17:4 · BSB

Numbers 17:5

The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you."

Numbers 17:5 · BSB

Numbers 17:6

So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and each of their leaders gave him a staff—one for each of the leaders of their tribes, twelve staffs in all. And Aaron’s staff was among them.

Numbers 17:6 · BSB

Numbers 17:7

Then Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.

Numbers 17:7 · BSB

Numbers 17:8

The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron's staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds.

Numbers 17:8 · BSB

the rod of Aaron This fact was so unquestionably miraculous , that no doubt could remain on the minds of the people , or the envious chiefs , of the divine appointment of Aaron , and as there were buds , blossoms , and fruit on the rod at the same time , which was never the case with branches in the natural and ordinary course , this evidently proved the miracle , and took away all suspicion of the fraud which has been impiously suggested , that Moses had taken away Aaron's rod in the night time , and put a living branch of an almond tree in the room of it. A sceptre or staff of office resuming its vegetative life , was considered an absolute impossibility among the ancients; and as they were accustomed to swear by their sceptres , this circumstance was added to confirm the oath.

Numbers 17:10

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.”

Numbers 17:10 · BSB

Numbers 17:12

Then the Israelites declared to Moses, “Look, we are perishing! We are lost; we are all lost!

Numbers 17:12 · BSB

we die Gawanoo , "we expire . " it signifies not so much to die simply , as to feel an extreme difficulty in breathing , which producing suffocation , ends at last in death. See the folly and extravagance of this sinful people , in thus rebelling against the authority of those whom Jehovah had appointed to be their rulers.

Numbers 17:13

Anyone who comes near the tabernacle of the LORD will die. Are we all going to perish?”

Numbers 17:13 · BSB