2
Numbers 17:2
英文原文
Compare Ezekiel 37:16 ff.
3
Numbers 17:3
「你要將亞倫的名字寫在利未的杖上」——利未人在最近的動亂中曾有分參與，因此有必要顯明亞倫家在利未人之上的至尊地位；於是亞倫的名字便寫在利未的杖上，儘管他是利未第二個兒子哥轄的兒子（Exodus 6:16 ff），按天生的次序本不能作這支派的族長。
英文原文
Thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi - The Levites had taken part in the late outbreak. It was therefore necessary to vindicate the supremacy of the house of Aaron over them; and accordingly his name was written on the rod of Levi, although being the son of Kohath, the second son of Levi (Exodus 6:16 ff), he would not be the natural head of the tribe.
4
Numbers 17:4
「在法櫃前」——見 Numbers 17:10 的註釋。
英文原文
Before the testimony - See Numbers 17:10 note.
6
Numbers 17:6
杖的總數是十二根，不包括亞倫的杖在內，正如武加大譯本明言的。
英文原文
The whole number of rods was twelve exclusive of Aaron's, as the Vulgate expressly states.
8
Numbers 17:8
「結了熟杏」——即「熟杏結出來了」，意思是「結出了成熟的杏子」。在希伯來文中，杏的名字意指「甦醒之樹」、「甦醒之果」；這樹之所以得此名，是因為它在季節之始便早早開花。正如在 Jeremiah 1:11-12 一樣，杏樹在這裏表明：按神的旨意，祂的計劃必迅速而確定地成就。同樣，亞倫的杖既從母樹上砍下，天然便已失去功效，卻開花結實，這也可以表明：祭司職分、聖禮等各樣施恩的媒介，就其本身且離開神而言，原不能有這樣的功效，卻因神的設立和賜福而成為有益。對照 Isaiah 4:2；Isaiah 11:1；Isaiah 53:2；Jeremiah 33:5；Zechariah 6:12。
英文原文
Yielded almonds - "Ripened almonds," i. e. "brought forth ripe almonds." The name almond in Hebrew denotes the "waking-tree," the "waking-fruit;" and is applied to this tree, because it blossoms early in the season. It serves here, as in Jeremiah 1:11-12, to set forth the speed and certainty with which, at God's will, His purposes are accomplished. So again the blossoming and bearing of Aaron's rod, naturally impotent when severed from the parent tree, may signify the profitableness, because of God's appointment and blessing, of the various means of grace (e. g. the priesthood, the sacraments), which of themselves and apart from Him could have no such efficacy. Compare Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 53:2; Jeremiah 33:5; Zechariah 6:12.
10
Numbers 17:10
「見證」——即律法的兩塊法版；對照 Exodus 25:16 的註釋。毫無疑問，那杖是放在約櫃內法版的前面。到了所羅門的日子（1 Kings 8:9），櫃裏除了兩塊法版以外，再沒有別的。亞倫的杖大概在非利士人擄走約櫃時失落了。
英文原文
The testimony - i. e. the two tables of the Law; compare Exodus 25:16 note. No doubt the rod lay in front of the tables within the ark. In the days of Solomon 1 Kings 8:9 there was nothing in the ark save the Two tables. Aaron's rod was probably lost when the ark was taken by the Philistines.
12
Numbers 17:12
新的一段應當從這幾節開始。這幾節回顧起來與 Numbers 16 相連，並直接構成 Numbers 18 的引言。百姓因可拉一黨的結局和瘟疫而驚恐萬分。狂妄經反作用轉為絕望。他們還有親近耶和華會幕的路可走嗎？除了遠避祂的面之外，還有逃避死亡的路嗎？答案由那些規例供應——它們見證審判的神仍是恩典與慈愛的神。
英文原文
A new section should begin with these verses. They are connected retrospectively with Numbers 16; and form the immediate introduction to Numbers 18. The people were terror-stricken by the fate of the company of Korah and by the plague. Presumption passed by reaction into despair. Was there any approach for them to the tabernacle of the Lord? Was there any escape from death, except by keeping aloof from His presence? The answers are supplied by the ordinances which testified that the God of judgment was still a God of grace and of love.
參 Ezekiel 37:16 及以下。