Num 17:1-5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Num 17:1-13: 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 . Summary for Num 17:1-5: 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.

a17:1-13►

b16►

c18►

d17:1-5►

ePs 23:4►

fJer 48:17►

g17:4►

h17:7►

‏ Numbers 17:1-5

Summary for Num 17:1-13: 17:1-13 ^a The Lord prescribed another trial to reinforce the lessons taught by the incidents in ch 16 ^b and to introduce the instructions of ch 18 ^c.
Summary for Num 17:1-5: 17:1-5 ^d The shepherd’s staff was a common possession (cp. Ps 23:4 ^e) and, like the scepter, was a symbol of authority (cp. Jer 48:17 ^f). 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.
17:4 ^g The staffs were in the Lord’s presence (17:7 ^h), a safe spot where no one would tamper with them.