Numbers 17:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
דַּבֵּ֣ר׀
Speak
H1696
דַּבֵּ֣ר׀
Speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 24
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵֽאִתָּ֡ם
H853
מֵֽאִתָּ֡ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַטֵּֽהוּ׃
of every one of them a rod
H4294
מַטֵּֽהוּ׃
of every one of them a rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
7 of 24
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
מַטֵּֽהוּ׃
of every one of them a rod
H4294
מַטֵּֽהוּ׃
of every one of them a rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
8 of 24
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
לְבֵ֣ית
according to the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
according to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
9 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבֹתָ֔ם
of their fathers
H1
אֲבֹתָ֔ם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
10 of 24
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
מֵאֵ֤ת
H853
מֵאֵ֤ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נְשִֽׂיאֵהֶם֙
of all their princes
H5387
נְשִֽׂיאֵהֶם֙
of all their princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
לְבֵ֣ית
according to the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
according to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
14 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבֹתָ֔ם
of their fathers
H1
אֲבֹתָ֔ם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
15 of 24
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
עָשָׂ֖ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֖ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
17 of 24
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
מַטֵּֽהוּ׃
of every one of them a rod
H4294
מַטֵּֽהוּ׃
of every one of them a rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
18 of 24
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
אִ֣ישׁ
thou every man's
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
thou every man's
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
19 of 24
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁמ֔וֹ
name
H8034
שְׁמ֔וֹ
name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
21 of 24
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
תִּכְתֹּ֖ב
write
H3789
תִּכְתֹּ֖ב
write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
22 of 24
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
Historical Context
A rod or staff symbolized tribal authority and leadership throughout the ancient Near East. These were not mere sticks but symbols of office, often ornately carved. By using each leader's official rod, God worked through existing structures of authority while transcending them through miraculous intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God work through existing structures while also transcending them?
- What clarity about God's will are you resisting or obscuring?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Each tribal leader provided a rod with his name inscribed—twelve rods total, with Aaron's name on Levi's rod. The specificity ensured no ambiguity: God's choice would be unmistakable. This careful process demonstrates that God's will is meant to be clear, not mysterious or subject to endless debate. Divine election produces visible, confirmable results.