Numbers 17:3

Verse

and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, because there must be one staff for the head of each tribe.

American Standard Version (1901)

And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi; for there shall be one rod for each head of their fathers’ houses.

Bible in Basic English

And let Aaron's name be placed on the rod of Levi: for there is to be one rod for the head of every family.

Free Bible Version

and write Aaron's name on the walking stick of the tribe of Levi, because there has to be a walking stick for the head of each tribe.

King James (Authorized) 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.

One Unity Resource Bible

You shall write Aaron [Light-bringer]’s name on the rod of Levi [United with]; for there shall be one rod for each head of their fathers’ houses.

Translation for Translators

There must be one stick for the leader of each tribe, so you must carve Aaron’s name on the stick for the tribe of Levi.

Unlocked Literal Bible

You must write Aaron's name on Levi's staff. There must be one staff for each leader from his ancestors' tribe.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

You shall write Aaron’s name on Levi’s rod. There shall be one rod for each head of their fathers’ houses.

Young's Literal Translation

and Aaron's name thou dost write on the tribe of Levi; for one rod [is] for the head of their fathers' house:

Context

Aaron’s Staff Buds

²“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,³and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, because there must be one staff for the head of each tribe. ⁴Place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you.

Summary

In Numbers 17:3, God instructs Moses to gather staffs from the leaders of each tribe of Israel, including Aaron's staff representing the tribe of Levi. These staffs were placed in the tabernacle before the Testimony, symbolizing God's choice of Aaron as the high priest. The budding of Aaron's staff, miraculously showing signs of life and fruitfulness, confirmed God's selection of Aaron and the tribe of Levi for the priesthood. This event demonstrated God's authority and power in affirming His chosen leaders among His people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi,.... Or upon the rod that was for the tribe of Levi; the name of "Aaron" was to be written, not the word "Levi", or a "Levite", as Josephus (e); for that would not have decided the controversy about the priesthood, which chiefly lay between the Levites and the family of Aaron, who were of the same tribe: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers; one rod for the head or prince of every tribe, every prince representing his own tribe he was the head of, and the rod the prince; and though the tribe of Levi was divided into two families, the family of the priests, and the family of the Levites; yet, as Jarchi observes, they were but one tribe, and so one rod for them, as for the other tribes. (e) Antiqu. l. 4. c. 4. sect. 2.