Numbers 17:4
New International Version
Place them in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the covenant law, where I meet with you.

New Living Translation
Place these staffs in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark containing the tablets of the Covenant, where I meet with you.

English Standard Version
Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you.

Berean Standard Bible
Place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you.

King James Bible
And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.

New King James Version
Then you shall place them in the tabernacle of meeting before the Testimony, where I meet with you.

New American Standard Bible
You shall then leave them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony, where I meet with you.

NASB 1995
“You shall then deposit them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony, where I meet with you.

NASB 1977
“You shall then deposit them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony, where I meet with you.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall then deposit them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony, where I meet with you.

Amplified Bible
You shall then deposit them in the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle) in front of [the ark of] the Testimony, where I meet with you.

Christian Standard Bible
Then place them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony where I meet with you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then place them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony where I meet with you.

American Standard Version
And thou shalt lay them up in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you.

Contemporary English Version
Place these sticks in the tent right in front of the sacred chest where I appear to you.

English Revised Version
And thou shalt lay them up in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Put them in the tent of meeting where I meet with you, in front of the words of my promise.

Good News Translation
Take them to the Tent of my presence and put them in front of the Covenant Box, where I meet you.

International Standard Version
"Then lay them there in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Ark of the Covenant where I'll meet with you.

Majority Standard Bible
Place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you.

NET Bible
You must place them in the tent of meeting before the ark of the covenant where I meet with you.

New Heart English Bible
You shall lay them up in the Tent of Meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt lay them in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.

World English Bible
You shall lay them up in the Tent of Meeting before the covenant, where I meet with you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have placed them in the Tent of Meeting before the Testimony, where I meet with you.

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast placed them in the tent of meeting, before the testimony, where I meet with you.

Smith's Literal Translation
And place them in the tent of appointment before the testimony, where I will pass over to you there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the covenant before the testimony, where I will speak to thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall place these in the tabernacle of the covenant before the testimony, where I will speak to you.

New American Bible
Then deposit them in the tent of meeting, in front of the covenant, where I meet you.

New Revised Standard Version
Place them in the tent of meeting before the covenant, where I meet with you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall put them in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And put them in the Time Tabernacle in front of the Testimony, there where I meet with you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt lay them up in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt put them in the tabernacle of witness, before the testimony, where I will be made known to thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Aaron's Staff Buds
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. 5The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you.”…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Exodus 25:21-22
Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark. / And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

1 Kings 8:9
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 10:1-5
At that time the LORD said to me, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. / And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you are to place them in the ark.” / So I made an ark of acacia wood, chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hands. ...

Exodus 16:33-34
So Moses told Aaron, “Take a jar and fill it with an omer of manna. Then place it before the LORD to be preserved for the generations to come.” / And Aaron placed it in front of the Testimony, to be preserved just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

1 Samuel 4:3-4
When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.” / So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

2 Chronicles 5:10
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of Egypt.

Jeremiah 3:16
“In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.

Psalm 132:8
Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

Exodus 40:20-21
Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attaching the poles to the ark; and he set the mercy seat atop the ark. / Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle, put up the veil for the screen, and shielded off the ark of the Testimony, just as the LORD had commanded him.

1 Chronicles 13:3
Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.”

2 Samuel 6:2
And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Acts 7:44
Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the wilderness. It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Exodus 25:16-22
And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee…

Exodus 29:42,43
This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee…

Exodus 30:6,36
And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee…

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Numbers 17
1. Aaron's rod, among all the rods of the tribes, only flourishes
10. It is left for a monument against the rebels














Place the staffs
The act of placing the staffs is a symbolic gesture of submission and obedience to God's command. In the Hebrew context, the word for "staff" (מַטֶּה, matteh) can also mean "tribe" or "branch," signifying authority and leadership. This act represents the leaders of the tribes presenting themselves before God, acknowledging His ultimate authority over Israel. The staffs are not just physical objects but represent the tribes' willingness to submit to God's will and His chosen leadership.

in the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting, or the Tabernacle, was the sacred space where God dwelled among His people. It was a place of divine encounter and revelation. The Hebrew term for "Tent of Meeting" (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, ohel mo'ed) emphasizes the idea of appointed times and places for meeting with God. This setting underscores the holiness and significance of the event, as it is not just a physical location but a spiritual meeting point between God and His people.

before the Testimony
The "Testimony" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the tablets of the Law given to Moses. In Hebrew, the word for "Testimony" (עֵדוּת, edut) signifies a witness or evidence. The Ark served as a constant reminder of God's covenant with Israel and His faithfulness. Placing the staffs before the Testimony indicates that the decision regarding leadership is made in the presence of God's covenantal promises and His divine witness.

where I meet with you
This phrase highlights the personal and relational aspect of God's interaction with His people. The Hebrew root for "meet" (יָעַד, ya'ad) conveys the idea of appointment and purpose. God is not distant or detached; He desires to meet with His people, to guide and direct them. This meeting is not just a ritual but a profound encounter with the living God, who seeks to establish His will and presence among His chosen people.

(4) Where I will meet with you.--Rather, where I meet with you.

Verse 4. - The tabernacle of the congregation. "The tent of meeting." See on Exodus 30:26. Before the testimony, i.e., in front of the ark containing the two tables of the law (Exodus 25:21).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Place [the staffs]
וְהִנַּחְתָּ֖ם (wə·hin·naḥ·tām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3240: Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place,

in the Tent
בְּאֹ֣הֶל (bə·’ō·hel)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting
מוֹעֵ֑ד (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

in front
לִפְנֵי֙ (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the Testimony,
הָֽעֵד֔וּת (hā·‘ê·ḏūṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5715: Testimony

where
אֲשֶׁ֛ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I meet with you.
אִוָּעֵ֥ד (’iw·wā·‘êḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3259: To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage


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OT Law: Numbers 17:4 You shall lay them up (Nu Num.)
Numbers 17:3
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