Numbers 17:4
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Place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Enough had been done in the chapter before to quash all pretensions of the families of the tribe of Levi that would set up in competition with Aaron, and to make it appear that Aaron was the head of the tribe; but it seems, when that matter was settled, the princes of the rest of the tribes began to murmur. If the head of a tribe must be a priest, why not the head of some other tribe than that of Levi? He that searches the heart knew this thought to be in the breast of some of them, and before it broke out into any overt act graciously anticipated it, to prevent bloodshed; and it is done by miracle in this chapter, not a miracle of wrath, as before, but of grace. I. The matter is put upon trial by the bringing of twelve rods, one for each prince, before the Lord (Num 17:1-7). II. Upon trial, the matter is determined by the miraculous blossoming of Aaron's rod (Num 17:8, Num 17:9). III. The decision of the controversy is registered by the preservation of the rod (Num 17:10, Num 17:11). IV. The people acquiesce in it with some reluctance (Num 17:12, Num 17:13).
Open source ↗17:4 The staffs were in the Lord’s presence (17:7), a safe spot where no one would tamper with them.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.
Then Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.
Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony—before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony—where I will meet with you.