171 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel , and get from them a rod for each father's household : twelve e rods , from all their leaders according to their fathers' households . You shall write each name on his rod , 3 and write Aaron's name on the rod of Levi ; for there is one rod for the head of each of their fathers' households . 4 "You shall then deposit them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony , where e I meet with you. 5 "It will come about that the rod of the man whom I choose will sprout . Thus I will lessen from upon Myself the grumblings of the sons of Israel , who are grumbling against you." 6 Moses therefore spoke to the sons of Israel , and all their leaders gave him a rod apiece , for each leader according to their fathers' households , twelve e rods , with the rod of Aaron among their rods . 7 So Moses deposited the rods before the Lord in the tent of the testimony .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 17:1-7
Commentary on Numbers 17:1-7
(Read Numbers 17:1-7)
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 ensigns of their authority; old dry staves, that had no sap in them. They were to expect that the rod of the tribe, or prince, whom God chose to the priesthood, should bud and blossom. Moses did not object that the matter was sufficiently settled already; he did not undertake to determine it; but left the case before the Lord.