King James Version
Numbers 17
13 verses with commentary
Aaron's Staff Buds
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
After Korah's rebellion, God commanded a test using rods from each tribe. This method would establish priestly authority beyond dispute, moving from negative judgment (Korah's destruction) to positive proof of God's choice. The rod test demonstrated that God not only judges rebellion but actively confirms His appointments through miraculous validation.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 17
Chapter Outline
Twelve rods laid up before the Lord.(1-7)
Aaron's rod buds, and is kept for a memorial.(8-13)
**Verses 1-7**
It is an instance of the grace of God, that, having wrought divers miracles to punish sin, he would work one more to prevent it. Twelve rods or staves were to be brought in. It is probable that they were the staves which the princes used as ensig...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
Each tribal leader provided a rod with his name inscribed—twelve rods total, with Aaron's name on Levi's rod. The specificity ensured no ambiguity: God's choice would be unmistakable. This careful process demonstrates that God's will is meant to be clear, not mysterious or subject to endless debate. Divine election produces visible, confirmable results.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XVII.
(2) **And take of every one of them . . . —**Better, *And take of them a rod for each father’s house.*
**Twelve rods.—**Some suppose that Aaron’s rod was not included amongst the twelve. Others suppose that one rod only was taken for the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The latter supposition is more accordant with the terms here employed than the former, and is supported by Deuteronomy 27:12...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 14 Nu 14:1-45. The People Murmur at the Spies' Report.
**1. all the congregation lifted up their voice and cried--**Not literally all, for there were some exceptions.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 17
Chapter Outline
Twelve rods laid up before the Lord.(1-7)
Aaron's rod buds, and is kept for a memorial.(8-13)
**Verses 1-7**
It is an instance of the grace of God, that, having wrought divers miracles to punish sin, he would work one more to prevent it. Twelve rods or staves were to be brought in. It is probable that they were the staves which the princes used as ensig...
Read full commentary →And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Moses placed the rods 'before the testimony' in the tabernacle—the most holy place where God met with Israel. This location ensured that the test occurred in God's presence, under His direct witness. The outcome would be indisputable because it occurred at the very throne of divine authority. All spiritual authentication must happen in God's presence, not through human validation.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi.**—Aaron was descended from the *second *son of Levi. He was not, therefore, the natural, but the divinely-appointed head of his father’s house, and hence it would not have sufficed for the purpose contemplated to have inscribed the name of Levi upon the rod. Aaron was constituted the head alike of the priests and of the Levites, into wh...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2-4. Would God that we had died in Egypt--**Such insolence to their generous leaders, and such base ingratitude to God, show the deep degradation of the Israelites, and the absolute necessity of the decree that debarred that generation from entering the promised land [Nu 14:29-35]. They were punished by their wishes being granted to die in that wilderness [He 3:17; Jude 5]. A leader to reconduct...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 17
Chapter Outline
Twelve rods laid up before the Lord.(1-7)
Aaron's rod buds, and is kept for a memorial.(8-13)
**Verses 1-7**
It is an instance of the grace of God, that, having wrought divers miracles to punish sin, he would work one more to prevent it. Twelve rods or staves were to be brought in. It is probable that they were the staves which the princes used as ensig...
Read full commentary →And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.
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KJV Study Commentary
God declared, 'the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom'—life from dead wood would mark divine election. This test measured not human qualifications but God's sovereign choice. The budding rod would demonstrate that fruitfulness in God's service comes not from natural ability but from His life-giving power working through His chosen vessels.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Where I will meet with you.—**Rather, *where I meet with you.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2-4. Would God that we had died in Egypt--**Such insolence to their generous leaders, and such base ingratitude to God, show the deep degradation of the Israelites, and the absolute necessity of the decree that debarred that generation from entering the promised land [Nu 14:29-35]. They were punished by their wishes being granted to die in that wilderness [He 3:17; Jude 5]. A leader to reconduct...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 17
Chapter Outline
Twelve rods laid up before the Lord.(1-7)
Aaron's rod buds, and is kept for a memorial.(8-13)
**Verses 1-7**
It is an instance of the grace of God, that, having wrought divers miracles to punish sin, he would work one more to prevent it. Twelve rods or staves were to be brought in. It is probable that they were the staves which the princes used as ensig...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God's promise that the rod belonging to His chosen priest would bud demonstrates divine vindication silencing opposition. The budding rod would be supernatural evidence, impossible to attribute to human manipulation. The phrase 'I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel' shows that God takes seriously complaints against His appointed leaders, which are ultimately compla...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **The man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom.**—Or, *shall sprout forth *or *put forth*—*i.e., *leaves or blossoms. Achilles, when enraged against Agamemnon, is made to swear a solemn oath by his sceptre which, having once left its stock on the mountains, shall never again grow. King Latinus is represented by Virgil as confirming his covenant with Æneas by a similar oath.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2-4. Would God that we had died in Egypt--**Such insolence to their generous leaders, and such base ingratitude to God, show the deep degradation of the Israelites, and the absolute necessity of the decree that debarred that generation from entering the promised land [Nu 14:29-35]. They were punished by their wishes being granted to die in that wilderness [He 3:17; Jude 5]. A leader to reconduct...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 17
Chapter Outline
Twelve rods laid up before the Lord.(1-7)
Aaron's rod buds, and is kept for a memorial.(8-13)
**Verses 1-7**
It is an instance of the grace of God, that, having wrought divers miracles to punish sin, he would work one more to prevent it. Twelve rods or staves were to be brought in. It is probable that they were the staves which the princes used as ensig...
Read full commentary →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. a rod: Heb. a rod for one prince, a rod for one prince
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Moses executed God's command precisely, bringing out all twelve rods for inspection. This public, verifiable process ensured transparency—no possibility of deception or manipulation. When God validates His choices, He does so openly where all can witness. Divine authentication doesn't require secrecy or private mysticism but can withstand public scrutiny.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces--**as humble and earnest suppliants--either to the people, entreating them to desist from so perverse a design; or rather, to God, as the usual and only refuge from the violence of that tumultuous and stiff-necked rabble--a hopeful means of softening and impressing their hearts.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 17
Chapter Outline
Twelve rods laid up before the Lord.(1-7)
Aaron's rod buds, and is kept for a memorial.(8-13)
**Verses 1-7**
It is an instance of the grace of God, that, having wrought divers miracles to punish sin, he would work one more to prevent it. Twelve rods or staves were to be brought in. It is probable that they were the staves which the princes used as ensig...
Read full commentary →And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Aaron's rod alone had budded, brought forth blossoms, and yielded almonds—three stages of fruit from a dead stick overnight. This miraculous abundance demonstrated that God's chosen servant would be extraordinarily fruitful. The progression from bud to blossom to fruit symbolized complete, mature ministry flowing from divine election rather than human striving.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. Joshua ... and Caleb, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes--**The two honest spies testified their grief and horror, in the strongest manner, at the mutiny against Moses and the blasphemy against God; while at the same time they endeavored, by a truthful statement, to persuade the people of the ease with which they might obtain possession of so desirable a country, pr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 17
Chapter Outline
Twelve rods laid up before the Lord.(1-7)
Aaron's rod buds, and is kept for a memorial.(8-13)
**Verses 1-7**
It is an instance of the grace of God, that, having wrought divers miracles to punish sin, he would work one more to prevent it. Twelve rods or staves were to be brought in. It is probable that they were the staves which the princes used as ensig...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Following Korah's rebellion, God commands each tribal prince to place his rod in the tabernacle overnight; Aaron's rod alone miraculously buds, blossoms, and produces almonds, confirming his unique priesthood. The Hebrew 'parach' (פָּרַח, 'budded'), 'yatsa tsits' (יָצָא צִיץ, 'brought forth blossoms'), and 'gamal shaqedim' (גָּמַל שְׁקֵדִים, 'yielded almonds') describe the complete life cycle from...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded . . . —**As the budding of Aaron’s rod was the divinely appointed proof of the establishment of the priesthood in his person and in his posterity, so our Lord proved Himself to be the true High Priest over the House of God by coming forth as “a rod [or shoot] out of the stem of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1), and as “a root out of a dry ground”...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
While all the other rods remained as they were. Aaron's rod became a living branch. In some places there were buds, in others blossoms, in others fruit, at the same time; all this was miraculous. Thus Aaron was manifested to be under the special blessing of Heaven. Fruitfulness is the best evidence of a Divine call; and the plants of God's setting, and the boughs cut off them, ...
Read full commentary →And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD</strong> (מַטּוֹת מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה)—after overnight divine vindication, Moses presents the evidence publicly. Aaron's rod alone had budded, blossomed, and borne almonds (v.8), supernatural proof of God's chosen priesthood. The phrase <strong>they looked, and took every man his rod</strong> (וַיִּרְאוּ וַיִּקְחוּ אִישׁ מַטֵּהוּ) shows tra...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. a land flowing with milk and honey--**a general expression, descriptive of a rich and fertile country. The two articles specified were among the principal products of the Holy Land.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
While all the other rods remained as they were. Aaron's rod became a living branch. In some places there were buds, in others blossoms, in others fruit, at the same time; all this was miraculous. Thus Aaron was manifested to be under the special blessing of Heaven. Fruitfulness is the best evidence of a Divine call; and the plants of God's setting, and the boughs cut off them, ...
Read full commentary →And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels ; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. rebels: Heb. children of rebellion
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KJV Study Commentary
God's command to keep Aaron's rod 'for a token against the rebels' established a permanent memorial preventing future challenges to priestly authority. The phrase 'that thou mayest quite take away their murmurings' shows God's determination to stop rebellion. Storing the rod in the ark (with the tablets and manna) placed it in Israel's most sacred repository, emphasizing the priesthood's importanc...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Bring Aaron’s red again before the testimony.**—Better, *Put back *(literally, *make to return*)* Aaron’s rod *. . . It is not stated here that the rod was put within the ark. Nor is it so stated in Exodus 16:33 with regard to the pot of manna. Neither of these was within the ark when it was brought into Solomon’s temple (1Kings 8:9); but this statement is by no means inconsistent with that...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. their defence is departed--**Hebrew, "their shadow." The Sultan of Turkey and the Shah of Persia are called "the shadow of God," "the refuge of the world." So that the meaning of the clause, "their defence is departed from them," is, that the favor of God was now lost to those whose iniquities were full (Ge 15:16), and transferred to the Israelites.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
While all the other rods remained as they were. Aaron's rod became a living branch. In some places there were buds, in others blossoms, in others fruit, at the same time; all this was miraculous. Thus Aaron was manifested to be under the special blessing of Heaven. Fruitfulness is the best evidence of a Divine call; and the plants of God's setting, and the boughs cut off them, ...
Read full commentary →And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he</strong>—This formulaic conclusion (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה... כֵּן עָשָׂה <em>ka'asher tzivah YHWH... ken asah</em>) emphasizes Moses' complete obedience in displaying Aaron's miraculously budded rod before the ark (17:10). The repetitive structure underscores that faithful leadership manifests in meticulous execution of divine instructio...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. the glory of the Lord appeared--**It was seasonably manifested on this great emergency to rescue His ambassadors from their perilous situation.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
While all the other rods remained as they were. Aaron's rod became a living branch. In some places there were buds, in others blossoms, in others fruit, at the same time; all this was miraculous. Thus Aaron was manifested to be under the special blessing of Heaven. Fruitfulness is the best evidence of a Divine call; and the plants of God's setting, and the boughs cut off them, ...
Read full commentary →And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish</strong>—The people's terrified cry (הֵן גָּוַעְנוּ אָבַדְנוּ כֻּלָּנוּ אָבָדְנוּ <em>hen gava'nu avadnu kulanu avadnu</em>) uses three verbs of death and destruction in rapid succession, expressing existential panic. After witnessing 15,000+ deaths from challenging priestly authority (16:49), Israel ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12, 13) **And the children of Israel spake unto Moses . . . —**The special manifestations of Divine power which the Israelites had witnessed excited within them salutary emotions of awe and of anxious apprehension, but do not seem to have awakened within them any corresponding sense of gratitude either for their deliverance from the plague, or for the privileges which they enjoyed by reason of th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
While all the other rods remained as they were. Aaron's rod became a living branch. In some places there were buds, in others blossoms, in others fruit, at the same time; all this was miraculous. Thus Aaron was manifested to be under the special blessing of Heaven. Fruitfulness is the best evidence of a Divine call; and the plants of God's setting, and the boughs cut off them, ...
Read full commentary →Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?</strong>—The rhetorical question (הַאִם תַּמְנוּ לִגְווֹעַ <em>ha'im tamnu ligvo'a</em>, 'shall we cease from dying?') expresses resignation to inevitable death. The phrase <strong>cometh any thing near</strong> (הַקָּרֵב הַקָּרֵב <em>haqarev haqarev</em>, double verb form) emphasize...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. the Lord said, ... I will smite them with the pestilence--**not a final decree, but a threatening, suspended, as appeared from the issue, on the intercession of Moses and the repentance of Israel.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
While all the other rods remained as they were. Aaron's rod became a living branch. In some places there were buds, in others blossoms, in others fruit, at the same time; all this was miraculous. Thus Aaron was manifested to be under the special blessing of Heaven. Fruitfulness is the best evidence of a Divine call; and the plants of God's setting, and the boughs cut off them, ...
Read full commentary →