Numbers 17 Study Notes

17:1-3 The staff was the official symbol of the tribal chieftain, which in Babylonia and Egypt often was designed to represent its owner. One word (Hb matteh) means both “tribe” and “staff/scepter,” and each carried some signification of tribal identity. In this context the names were inscribed for identification. Perhaps the names were those of the patriarchal leaders who took the census of the military in chap. 1. Aaron’s name was inscribed on the staff of the tribe of Levi, since he was the oldest son in his family.

17:4-7 The solemnity of the test of leadership was evidenced by the placement of the inscribed staffs in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony, where the high priest went once a year on the Day of Atonement to cleanse the holiest place because of the sins of the people.

17:8-9 The fourfold statement of the miraculous produce from Aaron’s staff (sprouted, formed buds, blossomed, and produced almonds) heightened the drama, with God demonstrating the priority of the Aaronic priesthood. Almond blossoms also decorated the cups on the golden lampstand in the Tabernacle (Ex 25:33-34; 37:19-20). In Jeremiah’s call to ministry (Jr 1:4), his vision of the budding almond branch demonstrated God’s concern that his word and his will be accomplished in the life of the prophet and the nation (Jr 1:11-12). The white blossoms of the budding almond tree were a symbol of the holiness and purity that God expected from his faithful priestly servants. The Aaronic priests were to serve as mediators between God and Israel. Holiness and purity were to permeate their words as they taught the people of God the statutes and precepts of the Lord (Lv 10:11).

17:10 After Moses showed the other tribal leaders the collection of tribal staffs, they were able to see God’s blessing upon Aaron’s staff. Then God told Moses to put Aaron’s staff back in front of the testimony to be kept as a sign. Moses placed the staff in front of the ark of the covenant as a sign against the rebels that God had indeed chosen the Aaronic line for priestly service. Aaron’s priestly line prefigured the high priesthood of Jesus Christ, who exemplified the qualities of purity and holiness in his earthly ministry, who as a priest of a higher order—of Melchizedek—offered himself as the unblemished paschal lamb for our sins. In light of the priesthood of the believer in Christ, the need for purity and holiness in Christian service is duly emphasized.

17:11 Moses the faithful and humble servant of God carried out the Lord’s instructions, even though the opposition again had placed a heavy burden on his shoulders. In the manner of Paul’s words in Rm 12:1, Moses offered himself as a living and holy sacrifice in service to God.

17:12-13 These verses contain “the desperate cry of a terrified people” (T. R. Ashley). It is the people’s panicked response to the incidents narrated in 16:1-17:11 and furnishes the context for chap. 18. They were convinced that the very presence of the tabernacle amid the tribes of Israel was a danger.