Bible Commentaries
Numbers 17

Introduction

Overview

Numbers 17:1, Aaron,s rod, among all the rods of the tribes, only flourishes; Numbers 17:10, It is left for a monument against the rebels.

Verse 1

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:49 - Aaron

Verse 2

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: Numbers 1:5-16, Numbers 2:3-30, Numbers 10:14-27

twelve rods: Genesis 49:10, Exodus 4:2, Exodus 4:17, Psalms 110:2, Psalms 125:3, Ezekiel 19:14, Ezekiel 21:10, Ezekiel 21:13, Ezekiel 37:16-20, Micah 7:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:4 - according Exodus 28:1 - take Numbers 17:6 - General 1 Samuel 10:19 - by your tribes 2 Chronicles 31:17 - genealogy

Verse 3

Numbers 3:2, Numbers 3:3, Numbers 18:1, Numbers 18:7, Exodus 6:16, Exodus 6:20

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:4 - General 2 Chronicles 31:17 - genealogy Ezekiel 37:16 - take thee Hebrews 5:4 - General Hebrews 7:5 - who

Verse 4

Exodus 25:16-22, Exodus 29:42, Exodus 29:43, Exodus 30:6, Exodus 30:36

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:18 - met Exodus 25:22 - and I will Exodus 25:33 - like unto

Verse 5

Whom I: Numbers 16:5

blossom: Numbers 17:8, Isaiah 5:24, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 27:6, Isaiah 35:1, Isaiah 35:2, Hosea 14:5

I will: Numbers 17:10, Isaiah 13:11, Ezekiel 16:41, Ezekiel 23:27

they murmur: Numbers 16:11

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 18:5 - General 1 Samuel 2:28 - And did I 1 Kings 13:33 - whosoever Psalms 105:26 - Aaron John 3:27 - A man Hebrews 7:13 - of which Hebrews 9:4 - and Aaron's

Verse 6

a rod apiece, for each prince one: Heb. a rod for one prince, a rod for one prince, Numbers 17:2

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 37:20 - in thine

Verse 7

Numbers 18:2, Exodus 38:21, Acts 7:44

Reciprocal: Numbers 18:1 - Thou 2 Chronicles 24:6 - tabernacle

Verse 8

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.

budded: Numbers 17:5, Genesis 40:10, Psalms 110:2, Psalms 132:17, Psalms 132:18, Song of Solomon 2:3, Isaiah 4:2, Ezekiel 17:24, Ezekiel 19:12, Ezekiel 19:14, John 15:1-6

Reciprocal: Exodus 37:20 - almonds Exodus 38:21 - tabernacle of testimony 2 Chronicles 24:6 - tabernacle Jeremiah 1:11 - I see a rod Ezekiel 7:10 - the rod Acts 7:44 - the tabernacle Hebrews 9:4 - and Aaron's

Verse 10

Bring Aaron's: Hebrews 9:4

for a token: Numbers 16:38, Numbers 16:40, Exodus 16:32, Deuteronomy 31:19-26

rebels: Heb. children of rebellion, 1 Samuel 2:12, 1 Samuel 30:22, Psalms 57:4, Isaiah 1:2, Hosea 10:9, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 2:3, Ephesians 5:6

and thou: Numbers 17:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 15:24 - General Exodus 16:34 - General Leviticus 16:2 - that he die not Numbers 4:18 - General Numbers 20:9 - General 1 Kings 8:9 - in the ark

Verse 12

Behold: Numbers 26:11, Psalms 90:7, Proverbs 19:3, Isaiah 57:16, Hebrews 12:5

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.

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:14 - that Exodus 12:33 - We be all Numbers 16:34 - Lest Numbers 21:5 - spake 1 Samuel 6:20 - General 2 Samuel 6:9 - afraid 1 Kings 13:33 - whosoever 1 Chronicles 13:12 - afraid of God Psalms 73:19 - they are Isaiah 33:14 - sinners Jeremiah 30:21 - and I Lamentations 3:39 - a man Ezekiel 37:11 - Our bones Amos 6:10 - Hold Acts 5:5 - great Acts 5:13 - of Romans 8:15 - the spirit Hebrews 8:4 - he should

Verse 13

Whosoever: Numbers 1:51-53, Numbers 18:4-7

any thing: Genesis 3:3, 1 Samuel 6:19-21, 2 Samuel 6:6-12, 1 Chronicles 13:11-13, 1 Chronicles 15:13, Psalms 130:3, Psalms 130:4, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:11-14, Ephesians 2:13, Hebrews 10:19-22

consumed: Numbers 16:26, Numbers 32:13, Deuteronomy 2:16, Job 34:14, Job 34:15, Psalms 90:7, Isaiah 28:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:14 - that Exodus 12:33 - We be all Numbers 16:34 - Lest Numbers 18:1 - Thou 1 Samuel 6:20 - General 2 Samuel 6:9 - afraid 1 Kings 13:33 - whosoever 1 Chronicles 13:12 - afraid of God Psalms 73:19 - they are Psalms 78:32 - they sinned Proverbs 19:3 - foolishness Isaiah 33:14 - sinners Jeremiah 30:21 - and I Ezekiel 37:11 - Our bones Acts 5:13 - of Acts 7:36 - and in the wilderness Hebrews 8:4 - he should