Numbers 17:1-13
staff .... tribe ........ staffs .......... staff <04294> [a rod.]
The word {matteh} signifies a staff, or sceptre, 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.
leader <05387> [all their princes.]
staff .... tribe ....... twelve staffs .......... staff <08147 04294> [twelve rods.]
choose <0977> [Whom I.]
blossom <06524> [blossom.]
rid <07918> [I will.]
murmur <03885> [they murmur.]
leaders ..... staff one ... each leader ..... tribes ... staffs ... staff ....... staffs <05387 0259 04294> [a rod a-piece, for each prince one. Heb. a rod for one prince, a rod for one prince. See on ver.]
staff ... Aaron <0175 04294> [the rod of Aaron.]
This fact was so unquestionably miraculous, that no doubt could remain on the minds of the people, or the envious chiefs, of the divine appointment of Aaron: and as there were buds, blossoms, and fruit on the rod at the same time, which was never the case with branches in the natural and ordinary course, this evidently proved the miracle, and took away all suspicion of the fraud which has been impiously suggested, that Moses had taken away Aaron's rod in the night time, and put a living branch of an almond tree in the room of it. A sceptre or staff of office resuming its vegetative life, was considered an absolute impossibility among the ancients; and as they were accustomed to swear by their sceptres, this circumstance was added to confirm the oath.
sprouted <06524> [budded.]
Bring Aaron's <07725 0175> [Bring Aaron's.]
sign <0226> [for a token.]
rebels <04805> [rebels. Heb. children of rebellion.]
bring <03615> [and thou.]
die <01478> [Behold.]
die <01478> [we die.]
{Gawanoo,} "we expire:" it signifies not so much to die simply, as to feel an extreme difficulty in breathing, which producing suffocation, ends at last in death. See the folly and extravagance of this sinful people, in thus rebelling against the authority of those whom Jehovah had appointed to be their rulers.
comes close <07131> [Whosoever.]
comes close <07131> [any thing.]
<08552> [consumed.]
