Numbers 17:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Moshe put the staffs before ADONAI in the tent of the testimony.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.

American Standard Version:

And Moses laid up the rods before Jehovah in the tent of the testimony.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Moses^{H4872} laid up^{H3240} the rods^{H4294} before^{H6440} the LORD^{H3068} in the tabernacle^{H168} of witness^{H5715}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 17:7

Numbers 17:7 is a verse set within the broader context of the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. In this particular chapter, God addresses the grumbling and rebellion of the Israelites against the authority of Moses and Aaron. The people are questioning their leadership and, by extension, God's appointment of them.

To settle the matter and confirm His choice of leaders, God instructs each of the twelve tribes of Israel to bring a staff (rod) to Moses, with each tribal leader inscribing his name on his tribe's rod. Aaron represents the tribe of Levi. These rods are then laid before the Lord inside the Tabernacle, which is the portable dwelling place of God among the Israelites, also known as the Tent of Meeting or the Tabernacle of Witness.

The verse specifically states that Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the Tabernacle of Witness. This action is significant because it sets the stage for a divine sign: the next day, Aaron's rod, representing the tribe of Levi, has miraculously sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced almonds, confirming God's choice of Aaron and his lineage for the priesthood. This miraculous event is meant to end the rebellion and establish beyond doubt the divine authority of Aaron's priesthood.

The themes present in this verse include divine authority, the importance of respecting God's chosen leaders, and the confirmation of God's will through miraculous signs. The historical context reflects the ongoing challenge of maintaining unity and obedience among the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land, as well as the establishment of the priestly lineage that would play a crucial role in the religious life of Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3240
   There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָנַח
   Transliteration: yânach
   Pronunciation: yaw-nakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay; bestow, cast down, lay (down, up), leave (off), let alone (remain), pacify, place, put, set (down), suffer, withdraw, withhold. (The Hiphil forms with the dagesh are here referred to, in accordance with the older grammarians; but if any distinction of the kind is to be made, these should rather be referred to נוּחַ, and the others here.)
   
3. Strong's Number: H4294
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַטֶּה
   Transliteration: maṭṭeh
   Pronunciation: mat-teh'
   Description: or (feminine) מַטָּה; from נָטָה; a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread); rod, staff, tribe.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H168
   There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹהֶל
   Transliteration: ʼôhel
   Pronunciation: o'-hel
   Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5715
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵדוּת
   Transliteration: ʻêdûwth
   Pronunciation: ay-dooth'
   Description: feminine of עֵד; testimony; testimony, witness.