Numbers 16:4

4 As soon as Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground.

Numbers 16:4 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 16:4

And when Moses heard [it]
What they said, their complaint against him, for setting up Aaron for an high priest, and against Aaron for taking this honour to himself:

he fell upon his face;
through shame, as the Targum of Jonathan, blushing at their sin, in opposing the ordinance of God; and through fear of the divine displeasure, and of the wrath of God coming upon them for such wickedness; and in order to pray to God for them to make them sensible of their sin, and give them repentance for it, and pardon of it, and avert his judgments from them such a conduct called aloud for.

Numbers 16:4 In-Context

2 These four men were joined by 250 Israelite men, well-known leaders of the community, chosen by the assembly.

3 They came together to confront Moses and Aaron and said to them, "You've gone far enough! Everyone in the whole community is holy, and the LORD is among them. Why do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly?"

4 As soon as Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground.

5 Then he said to Korah and all his followers, "In the morning the LORD will show who belongs to him, who is holy, and who it is that he will allow to come near him. Only the person the LORD chooses will be allowed to come near him.

6 Korah, you and all your followers must do this tomorrow: Take incense burners,