Teks -- Numbers 17:4 (NET)

17:4 You must place them in the tent of meeting before the ark of the covenant where I meet with you.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Num 17:4 - Before the testimony

That is, before the ark of the testimony, close by the ark.

Wesley: Num 17:4 - I will meet with you

And manifest my mind to you, for the ending of this dispute.

JFB: Num 17:2-5 - Speak unto the children of Israel

The controversy with Moses and Aaron about the priesthood was of such a nature and magnitude as required a decisive and authoritative settlement. For the removal of all doubts and the silencing of all murmuring in the future regarding the holder of the office, a miracle was wrought of a remarkable character and permanent duration; and in the manner of performing it, all the people were made to have a direct and special interest.

JFB: Num 17:2-5 - take of every one . . . princes . . . twelve rods

As the princes, being the oldest sons of the chief family, and heads of their tribes, might have advanced the best claims to the priesthood, if that sacred dignity was to be shared among all the tribes, they were therefore selected, and being twelve in number--that of Joseph being counted only one--Moses was ordered to see that the name of each was inscribed--a practice borrowed from the Egyptians--upon his rod or wand of office. The name of Aaron rather than of Levi was used, as the latter name would have opened a door of controversy among the Levites; and as there was to be one rod only for the head of each tribe, the express appointment of a rod for Aaron determined him to be the head of that tribe, as well as that branch or family of the tribe to which the priestly dignity should belong. These rods were to be laid in the tabernacle close to the ark (compare Num 17:10 and Heb 9:4), where a divine token was promised that would for all time terminate the dispute.

Calvin: Num 17:4 - And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle

4.And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle The place itself had not a little to do with the effectual decision of the matter; because it was clearly manifested that God was the author of the miracle, and consequently that the priesthood proceeded from Him. For we have elsewhere said that the whole government of the Church so entirely depends upon His decree, that men are not permitted to interfere with it. Wherefore He set the ark of the covenant in opposition to the voices of the whole people, in order to testify that no further dispute was to be raised respecting the priest, whom He had appointed by His own declaration and authority. At the same time, it had the effect of consoling the people, and silencing their complaints that the rods of all the tribes were brought in common into the sanctuary before God; for, although a peculiar dignity was accorded to that of Aaron alone, still the people ceased not to be a priestly kingdom. Hence it follows, that the honorable privilege conferred on one family contributed to the public welfare of all; so far was it from being the case that their inferiority ought to have caused them pain or envy.

TSK: Num 17:4

Exo 25:16-22, Exo 29:42, Exo 29:43, Exo 30:6, Exo 30:36

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Num 17:4 - Before the testimony // I will meet with you

Before the testimony i.e. before the ark of the testimony; either mediately, close by the veil behind which the ark stood; or rather immediately, within the veil in the most holy place, close by the ark, as may be gathered by comparing this place with Num 17:10 , and with Heb 9:4 .

I will meet with you and manifest my mind to you for the ending of this dispute.

Gill: Num 17:4 - And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation // before the testimony // where I will meet with you

And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation,.... In the most holy place:

before the testimony; that is, the ark in which the testimony or the law was; here they were laid as in the presence of God, who was in a miraculous way to decide the controversy by them, and put an end to it; for upon the ark was the mercy seat, over which were the cherubim, the seat of the divine Majesty, and where none could come at them, and where no fraud could be supposed to be committed:

where I will meet with you; not with the people in person, who might not go at any time into the most holy place; nor with Aaron, who only might go into it on the day of atonement; but with Moses, the chief ruler and representative of the whole body of the people, and who might go in there at any time, to consult with God about matters of moment and difficulty, and where the Lord had said he would meet him, Exo 25:22; and now would, in a miraculous way, clearly show him, and the people of Israel by him, who was the priest he had chosen of all the tribes.