Numbers 17:6

Authorized King James Version

And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
spake
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#2
מֹשֶׁ֜ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
וַיִּתְּנ֣וּ
gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
אֵלָ֣יו׀
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
כָּֽל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
לְנָשִׂ֤יא
and every one of their princes
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
#10
מַטּוֹתָֽם׃
and the rod
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#11
לְנָשִׂ֤יא
and every one of their princes
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
#12
אֶחָד֙
one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#13
מַטּוֹתָֽם׃
and the rod
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#14
לְנָשִׂ֤יא
and every one of their princes
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
#15
אֶחָד֙
one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#16
לְבֵ֣ית
houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#17
אֲבֹתָ֔ם
H1
according to their fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#18
שְׁנֵ֥ים
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#19
עָשָׂ֖ר
even twelve
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#20
מַטּוֹתָֽם׃
and the rod
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#21
מַטּוֹתָֽם׃
and the rod
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#22
אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן
of Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#23
בְּת֥וֹךְ
was among
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#24
מַטּוֹתָֽם׃
and the rod
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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