Numbers 16:19-29

19 Korach assembled all the congregation against them to the door of the tent of meeting: and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation.

20 The LORD spoke to Moshe and to Aharon, saying,

21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

22 They fell on their faces, and said, God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?

23 The LORD spoke to Moshe, saying,

24 Speak to the congregation, saying, Get away from around the tent of Korach, Datan, and Aviram.

25 Moshe rose up and went to Datan and Aviram; and the Zakenim of Yisra'el followed him.

26 He spoke to the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.

27 So they got them up from the tent of Korach, Datan, and Aviram, on every side: and Datan and Aviram came out, and stood at the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little ones.

28 Moshe said, Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works; for [I have] not [done them] of my own mind.

29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hasn't sent me.

Numbers 16:19-29 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.