Numbers 17:2

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

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.

3 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.

4 And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“Speak to the Israelites and take from them twelve staffs, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each man’s name on his staff,
KJV
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.
WEB
“Speak to the children of Israel, and take rods from them, one for each fathers’ house, of all their princes according to their fathers’ houses, twelve rods. Write each man’s name on his rod.
ASV
Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of them rods, one for each fathers` house, of all their princes according to their fathers` houses, twelve rods: write thou every man`s name upon his rod.
DARBY
Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of them a staff, a staff for each father's house, of all their princes according to the houses of their fathers, twelve staves: thou shalt write each one's name upon his staff.
BLB
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and get from them a staff, a rod from each house of a father, all their leaders according to the house of their father, twelve rods. You shall write the name of each man on his rod.
ÅB
Tal til Israels barn, og få tolv staver av dem, en stav for hver stamme; av hver stammehøvding skal du få en stav, og på den skal du skrive hans navn.
OTB
"Tal til israelittene og samle inn fra dem en stav for hver stamme, tolv staver, en fra hver leder av deres stammer. Skriv hver manns navn på hans stav.
B1930
Tal til Israels barn, og få tolv staver av dem, en stav for hver stamme; av hver stammehøvding skal du få en stav, og på den skal du skrive hans navn.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Psalms 110:2

    The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

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  • Psalms 125:3

    For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

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  • Micah 7:14

    Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

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  • Ezekiel 21:13

    Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.

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  • Genesis 49:10

    The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

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  • Exodus 4:2

    And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

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  • Ezekiel 37:16–20

    Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:

    Read in context
  • Numbers 1:5–16

    And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.

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