THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
It has been remarked that “the princes excavated the treasure,” referring to those from the lineage of Moses who unearthed it. The phrase “the chiefs of the people” denotes the leaders of the tribes who indicated it with their staffs, signifying their authority. It is recorded that a stone accompanied the Hebrews, and whenever they remained in one location, twelve springs emerged. However, when they moved from one place to another, the springs ceased, yet they were not left without water. Upon arriving at a new site, the men from Moses’s household and the tribal leaders would emerge with their staffs, offering songs of praise, resulting in the springs flowing abundantly with water.