Num 17:1-3 | Clarke | STEP | The twelve chiefs of the tribes are commanded to take their rods, and to write the name of each tribe upon the rod that belonged to its representative; but the name of Aaron is to be written on the rod of the tribe of Levi, . The rods are to be laid up before the Lord, who promises that the man's rod whom he shalt choose for priest shall blossom, , . The rods are produced and laid up before the tabernacle, , . Aaron's rod alone buds, blossoms, and bears fruit, , . It is laid up before the testimony as a token of the manner in which God had disposed of the priesthood, , . The people are greatly terrified, and are apprehensive of being destroyed, , .

Numbers 17:1-3

Introduction

The twelve chiefs of the tribes are commanded to take their rods, and to write the name of each tribe upon the rod that belonged to its representative; but the name of Aaron is to be written on the rod of the tribe of Levi, Num 17:1-3. The rods are to be laid up before the Lord, who promises that the man's rod whom he shalt choose for priest shall blossom, Num 17:4, Num 17:5. The rods are produced and laid up before the tabernacle, Num 17:6, Num 17:7. Aaron's rod alone buds, blossoms, and bears fruit, Num 17:8, Num 17:9. It is laid up before the testimony as a token of the manner in which God had disposed of the priesthood, Num 17:10, Num 17:11. The people are greatly terrified, and are apprehensive of being destroyed, Num 17:12, Num 17:13. Verse 2

And take of every one of them a rod - מטה matteh, the staff or scepter, 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.