Bible Strands
Numbers 17:3
and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, because there must be one staff for the head of each tribe.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God commands Moses to instruct the Israelites to gather twelve rods during the preparation phase before the rods are placed in the Tent of Meeting. The words — תִּכְתֹּב (tikh.To) means "you will write," and מַטֵּה (ma.Teh) translates literally to "rod" or "staff," anchoring the command in physical documentation. The thread — The specific mention of Levi and Aaron traces back to the genealogical records in Exodus 6:16 and Exodus 6:20, which establish his lineage, while Numbers 3:2 details his sons, maintaining the priestly line. Why it lands — The text requires the community to acknowledge a single, physically marked rod per tribe as the concrete standard for identifying authorized leadership, specifically singling out Aaron for Levi.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Exodus 6:16 These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.
- Exodus 6:20 And Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.
- Numbers 3:2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, then Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
- Numbers 18:1 So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood.
- Numbers 18:7 But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”