Numbers Chapter 17

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, etc.] After the plague ceased, for the further confirmation of the priesthood in Aaron’s family, another method is directed to by the Lord: saying: as follows.”

“AARON'S ROD FLOURISHES. (Num 17:1-13) Speak unto the children of Israel--The controversy with Moses and Aaron about the priesthood was of such a nature and magnitude as required a decisive and authoritative settlement. For the removal of all doubts and the silencing of all murmuring in the future regarding the holder of the office, a miracle was wrought of a remarkable character and permanent duration; and in the manner of performing it, all the people were made to have a direct and special interest. take of every one . . . princes . . . twelve rods--As the princes, being the oldest sons of the chief family, and…”

“Compare Ezekiel 37:16 ff. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Of every one - Not of every person, but of every tribe. A rod - That staff, or rod, which the princes carried in their hands as tokens of their dignity and authority. Every man's name - Every prince's: for they being the first - born, and the chief of their tribes might above all others pretend to the priesthood, if it was communicable to any of their tribes, and besides each prince represented all his tribe: so that this was a full decision of the question. And this place seems to confirm, that not only Korah and the Levites, but also those of other tribes contested with Moses and Aaron about the priesthood, as…”

“17:1-13 The Lord prescribed another trial to reinforce the lessons taught by the incidents in ch 16 and to introduce the instructions of ch 18. 17:1-5 The shepherd’s staff was a common possession (cp. Ps 23:4) and, like the scepter, was a symbol of authority (cp. Jer 48:17). This trial was especially appropriate because the Hebrew words translated staffs and tribes are homonyms; the Lord’s choice of staff would indicate his choice of tribe.”

“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. all their princes: Num 1:5-16, 2:3-30, Num 10:14-27 twelve rods: Gen 49:10; Exo 4:2, Exo 4:17; Psa 110:2, Psa 125:3; Eze 19:14, Eze 21:10, Eze 21:13; Eze 37:16-20; Mic 7:14 Numbers 17:3”

“(Or ch.17:16-28). Confirmation of the High-Priesthood of Aaron. - Whilst the Lord had thus given a practical proof to the people, that Aaron was the high priest appointed by Him for His congregation, by allowing the high-priestly incense offered by Aaron to expiate His wrath, and by removing the plague; He also gave them a still further confirmation of His priesthood, by a miracle which was well adapted to put to silence all the murmuring of the congregation. Num 17:1-5 He commanded Moses to take twelve rods of the tribe-princes of Israel, one for the fathers' house of each of their tribes, and to write upon each…”