Bible Commentaries
Numbers 17

Verses 1-13

Numbers 17:2 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.

Numbers 17:2 “according to the house of their fathers” - Comments - This list of twelve leaders can be found in Numbers 1:5-16.

Numbers 17:5 And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.

Numbers 17:5 Comments - Murmuring is the early stages of rebellion against God. It is an expression of discontentment within the heart.

Numbers 17:6 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.

Numbers 17:8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

Numbers 17:8 “and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds” Comments - The rod that Aaron carried was a dead tree. The fact that it budded was a sign that God creates life out of death. This was figurative of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.