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Numbers 17

BSB·13 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1And the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → said toוַיְדַבֵּ֥רway·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֥הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, 2Speakדַּבֵּ֣ר׀dab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and takeוְקַ֣חwə·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → from themמֵֽאִתָּ֡םmê·’it·tām — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → twelveשְׁנֵ֥יםšə·nêm — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → staffsמַטּ֑וֹתmaṭ·ṭō·wṯ — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study →, one from the leaderנְשִֽׂיאֵהֶם֙nə·śî·’ê·hem — Prince, ruler, or leader of exalted statusH5387 — Full Word Study → of eachכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → tribeאֲבֹתָ֔ם’ă·ḇō·ṯām — H1 — Full Word Study →. Writeתִּכְתֹּ֖בtiḵ·tōḇ — to write, inscribe, or record in written formH3789 — Full Word Study → eachאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → man’s nameשְׁמ֔וֹšə·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his staffמַטֵּֽהוּ׃maṭ·ṭê·hū — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study →, 3andוְאֵת֙wə·’êṯ — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → writeתִּכְתֹּ֖בtiḵ·tōḇ — to write, inscribe, or record in written formH3789 — Full Word Study → Aaron’sאַהֲרֹ֔ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → nameשֵׁ֣םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the staffמַטֵּ֣הmaṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Leviלֵוִ֑יlê·wî — Joined, AttachedH3878 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → there must be oneאֶחָ֔ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → staffמַטֶּ֣הmaṭ·ṭeh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → for the headלְרֹ֖אשׁlə·rōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → of each tribeאֲבוֹתָֽם׃’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām — H1 — Full Word Study →. 4Place the staffs in the Tentבְּאֹ֣הֶלbə·’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of Meetingמוֹעֵ֑דmō·w·‘êḏ — appointed time; solemn assemblyH4150 — Full Word Study → in front ofלִפְנֵי֙lip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the Testimonyהָֽעֵד֔וּתhā·‘ê·ḏūṯ — Testimony, witness, or decreeH5715 — Full Word Study →, whereאֲשֶׁ֛ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → I meetאִוָּעֵ֥ד’iw·wā·‘êḏ — to appoint, meet, or assemble togetherH3259 — Full Word Study → with you. 5The staffמַטֵּ֣הוּmaṭ·ṭê·hū — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → belonging to the manהָאִ֛ישׁhā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → I chooseאֶבְחַר־’eḇ·ḥar- — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → will sproutיִפְרָ֑חyip̄·rāḥ — to bloom, flourish, or spread forthH6524 — Full Word Study →, and I will ridוַהֲשִׁכֹּתִ֣יwa·hă·šik·kō·ṯî — to subside, pacify, or appeaseH7918 — Full Word Study → Myselfמֵֽעָלַ֗יmê·‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → of the constant grumblingתְּלֻנּוֹת֙tə·lun·nō·wṯ — Murmuring, complaint, grumblingH8519 — Full Word Study → of the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → against youעֲלֵיכֶֽם׃‘ă·lê·ḵem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →.” 6So Mosesמֹשֶׁ֜הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → spokeוַיְדַבֵּ֨רway·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, and eachכָּֽל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → of their leadersנְשִֽׂיאֵיהֶ֡םnə·śî·’ê·hem — Prince, ruler, or leader of exalted statusH5387 — Full Word Study → gave himוַיִּתְּנ֣וּway·yit·tə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → aאֶחָ֜ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → staffמַטֶּה֩maṭ·ṭeh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study →oneמַטֶּ֨הmaṭ·ṭeh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → for eachאֶחָד֙’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → of the leadersלְנָשִׂ֤יאlə·nā·śî — Prince, ruler, or leader of exalted statusH5387 — Full Word Study → of their tribesאֲבֹתָ֔ם’ă·ḇō·ṯām — H1 — Full Word Study →, twelveשְׁנֵ֥יםšə·nêm — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → staffs in allמַטּ֑וֹתmaṭ·ṭō·wṯ — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study →. And Aaron’sאַהֲרֹ֖ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → staffוּמַטֵּ֥הū·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → was amongבְּת֥וֹךְbə·ṯō·wḵ — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study → them. 7Then Mosesמֹשֶׁ֛הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → placedוַיַּנַּ֥חway·yan·naḥ — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study → the staffsהַמַּטֹּ֖תham·maṭ·ṭōṯ — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → in the Tentבְּאֹ֖הֶלbə·’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of the Testimonyהָעֵדֻֽת׃hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ — Testimony, witness, or decreeH5715 — Full Word Study →. 8The next dayמִֽמָּחֳרָ֗תmim·mā·ḥo·rāṯ — The next day, morrow, following dayH4283 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁה֙mō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → enteredוַיָּבֹ֤אway·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → the Tentאֹ֣הֶל’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of the Testimonyהָעֵד֔וּתhā·‘ê·ḏūṯ — Testimony, witness, or decreeH5715 — Full Word Study → and sawוְהִנֵּ֛הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → that Aaron’sאַהֲרֹ֖ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → staffמַטֵּֽה־maṭ·ṭêh- — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study →, representing the houseלְבֵ֣יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Leviלֵוִ֑יlê·wî — Joined, AttachedH3878 — Full Word Study →, had sproutedפָּרַ֥חpā·raḥ — to bloom, flourish, or spread forthH6524 — Full Word Study →, put forthוַיֹּ֤צֵֽאway·yō·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → budsפֶ֙רַח֙p̄e·raḥ — Flower or blossom; blooming plant partH6525 — Full Word Study →, blossomedוַיָּ֣צֵֽץway·yā·ṣêṣ — to blossom, flourish, or shine forthH6692 — Full Word Study →, and producedוַיִּגְמֹ֖לway·yiḡ·mōl — To deal bountifully; to ripen or mature; to repay or rewardH1580 — Full Word Study → almondsשְׁקֵדִֽים׃šə·qê·ḏîm — almond tree or almond fruitH8247 — Full Word Study →. 9Then Mosesמֹשֶׁ֤הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → brought outוַיֹּצֵ֨אway·yō·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the staffsהַמַּטֹּת֙ham·maṭ·ṭōṯ — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → from the LORD’sיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → presenceמִלִּפְנֵ֣יmil·lip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → toאֶֽל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְּנֵ֖יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →. They saw themוַיִּרְא֥וּway·yir·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →, and each manאִ֥ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → tookוַיִּקְח֖וּway·yiq·ḥū — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → his own staffמַטֵּֽהוּ׃סmaṭ·ṭê·hū — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study →. 10The LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֗הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, “Putהָשֵׁ֞בhā·šêḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → Aaron’sאַהֲרֹן֙’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → staffמַטֵּ֤הmaṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → back in front of the Testimonyהָעֵד֔וּתhā·‘ê·ḏūṯ — Testimony, witness, or decreeH5715 — Full Word Study →, to be keptלְמִשְׁמֶ֥רֶתlə·miš·me·reṯ — A charge, duty, or trust to be guarded and keptH4931 — Full Word Study → as a signלְא֖וֹתlə·’ō·wṯ — A sign or miraculous wonder that authenticates God's powerH226 — Full Word Study → for the rebelliousלִבְנֵי־liḇ·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, so that you may put an endוּתְכַ֧לū·ṯə·ḵal — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → to their grumblingתְּלוּנֹּתָ֛םtə·lūn·nō·ṯām — Murmuring, complaint, grumblingH8519 — Full Word Study → against Meמֵעָלַ֖יmê·‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, lestוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → they dieיָמֻֽתוּ׃yā·mu·ṯū — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →.” 11So Mosesמֹשֶׁ֑הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → didוַיַּ֖עַשׂway·ya·‘aś — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → asכַּאֲשֶׁ֨רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → had commanded himצִוָּ֧הṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study →. 12Then the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → declaredוַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙way·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֖הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, “Lookהֵ֥ןhên — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, we are perishingגָּוַ֛עְנוּgā·wa‘·nū — to expire, breathe one's last, dieH1478 — Full Word Study →! We are lostאָבַ֖דְנוּ’ā·ḇaḏ·nū — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study →; we are allכֻּלָּ֥נוּkul·lā·nū — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → lostאָבָֽדְנוּ׃’ā·ḇaḏ·nū — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study →! 13Anyoneכֹּ֣לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who comes nearהַקָּרֵ֧ב׀haq·qā·rêḇ — to draw near, approach, come closeH7131 — Full Word Study → the tabernacleמִשְׁכַּ֥ןmiš·kan — Tabernacle, dwelling place, sanctuaryH4908 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will dieיָמ֑וּתyā·mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →. Are we allתַּ֖מְנוּtam·nū — to finish, complete, bring to an endH8552 — Full Word Study → going to perishלִגְוֺֽעַ׃סliḡ·wō·a‘ — to expire, breathe one's last, dieH1478 — Full Word Study →?”
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Chapter Commentary — Numbers 17
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Numbers 17 records one of the most dramatic demonstrations of God's authority in all of Scripture. Following the rebellion of Korah and the subsequent judgment upon Israel, the people have begun to question Moses and Aaron's leadership. In response, the Lord provides a miraculous sign that settles the matter once and for all: Aaron's rod will supernaturally blossom, budding, flowering, and bearing fruit overnight. This chapter demonstrates that God alone appoints His leaders, and that murmuring against His chosen servants is ultimately rebellion against Him.

Verses 1–5: The Divine Test

The Lord instructs Moses to gather twelve rods, one from each tribal prince, with Aaron's rod representing Levi. Each rod is inscribed with the owner's name and placed before the testimony in the tabernacle. This is God's proposed test: whichever rod blossoms will prove whose leadership He has chosen (verse 5). The stakes are clear—this sign will stop the murmurings against Moses and Aaron once and for all. The Lord presents this not as uncertain but as a divinely orchestrated resolution. The rods represent the tribes and their leadership structure, and God will use nature itself to vindicate His appointed priesthood.

Verses 6–8: The Miraculous Sign

Moses collects the twelve rods from the tribal leaders and places them in the tabernacle. When he returns the next morning, Aaron's rod has not merely sprouted—it has budded, blossomed, and produced almonds (verse 8). The progression from bud to blossom to mature fruit in a single night defies all natural law. This is unmistakably divine intervention. The almond tree was associated in Scripture with watchfulness and alertness (see Jeremiah 1:11), suggesting that Aaron's priesthood is under God's vigilant care. The completeness of the rod's transformation—from dormancy to full fruitfulness—emphasizes the completeness of Aaron's appointment.

Verses 9–11: Confronting the Rebels

Moses displays all twelve rods to the assembled Israelites. Each person retrieves his own rod, but Aaron's remains with God. The Lord commands that Aaron's rod be kept as a token against the rebels (verse 10), a perpetual reminder of divine judgment and the consequence of murmuring. This preserved rod becomes a memorial—not primarily of blessing, but of God's intolerance for rebellion against His appointed leadership. Moses obeys without hesitation, demonstrating his own submission to God's will.

Verses 12–13: The People's Fear

Rather than submitting peacefully, the Israelites respond with terror. They cry out, "We die, we perish!" (verse 12), and express fear that anyone who approaches the tabernacle will be struck dead (verse 13). Their fear, while understandable, reveals their fundamental misunderstanding of God's character. They are not fleeing toward repentance and faith, but recoiling in panic. This passage shows how conviction without surrender breeds only dread.

Application for Today

God establishes authority in His church through His appointed leaders, and our submission to faithful pastoral leadership reflects our submission to Christ Himself. When we find ourselves tempted to murmur against those whom God has placed in leadership, we must remember that ultimately, we are rebelling against God's sovereign choice. Yet the fear of the Israelites reminds us that God's judgment is real—our only safety lies not in terror, but in genuine repentance and faith. Do you trust God's leadership in your church? Are you quick to submit, or quick to question?

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