Numbers 16:2-12

2 and they rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, 1chosen in the assembly, men of renown.
3 They assembled together 2against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "3You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and 4the LORD is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?"
4 When Moses heard this, 5he fell on his face;
5 and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who is His, and 6who is holy, and will bring him near to Himself; even 7the one whom He will choose, He will bring near to Himself.
6 "Do this: take censers for yourselves, Korah and all your company,
7 and put fire in them, and lay incense upon them in the presence of the LORD tomorrow; and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy. 8You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!"
8 Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi,
9 9is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, 10to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
10 and that He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? And are you 11seeking for the priesthood also?
11 "Therefore you and all your company are gathered together 12against the LORD; but as for Aaron, who is he that 13you grumble against him?"
12 Then Moses sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, "We will not come up.

Numbers 16:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 16

This chapter gives an account of a sedition of Korah and others against Moses and Aaron, Nu 16:1-4, with whom Moses expostulates, and shows the unreasonableness of their clamour against Aaron, Nu 16:5-11; sends for Dathan and Abiram, who were in the confederacy, but refused to come, which greatly angered Moses, Nu 16:12-15; orders Korah and his company to appear before the Lord the next day, with Aaron, to have the controversy decided, Nu 16:16-18; when all the congregation gathered together would have been, consumed had it not been for the intercession of Moses and Aaron, Nu 16:19-22; and who, being separated from the rebels by the command of the Lord, some of the rebels were swallowed up in the earth, and others destroyed by fire from heaven, Nu 16:23-35; and their censers were made a covering for the altar, as a memorial of their sin, Nu 16:36-40; on which there was a new insurrection of the people, which brought a plague upon them, and destroyed 14,700 persons, and which was stopped at the intercession of Aaron, Nu 16:41-50.

Cross References 13

  • 1. Numbers 1:16; Numbers 26:9
  • 2. Numbers 12:2; Psalms 106:16
  • 3. Numbers 16:7
  • 4. Numbers 5:3
  • 5. Numbers 14:5
  • 6. Leviticus 10:3; Psalms 65:4
  • 7. Numbers 17:5, 8
  • 8. Numbers 16:3
  • 9. Isaiah 7:13
  • 10. Numbers 3:6, 9; Deuteronomy 10:8
  • 11. Numbers 3:10; Numbers 18:1-7
  • 12. Exodus 16:7
  • 13. 1 Corinthians 10:10

Footnotes 8

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