Numbers 16:1-7

1 Forsooth Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, of the sons of Reuben,

2 rose against Moses, and (with them) others of the sons of Israel, two hundred men and fifty, princes of the synagogue, and which were called by their names in the time of counsel. (rose up against Moses, and with them were other Israelites, two hundred and fifty men, leaders of the synagogue, who were called by their names at the times of gathering together.)

3 And when these stood against Moses and Aaron, they said, Suffice it to you, for all the multitude is of holy men, and the Lord is in them; why be ye raised up presumptuously on the people of the Lord? (And when they stood against Moses and Aaron, they said, Suffice it to you, for all the multitude be holy men, and the Lord is with them; why be ye so presumptuously raised up over the Lord's people?)

4 And when Moses had heard this, he fell down low upon his face (he fell down on the ground).

5 And he spake to Korah, and to all the multitude; he said, Early the Lord shall make known which men pertain to him, and he shall apply, or draw, to him holy men; and they which he hath chosen, shall nigh to him. (And he spoke to Korah, and to all the multitude, and said, Early tomorrow the Lord shall make known which man pertaineth to him, for he shall draw to himself the man who is holy; and he whom he hath chosen, shall be near to him.)

6 Therefore do ye this thing; each man take his censer, thou Korah, and all thy counsel; (And so do ye this thing; each man take his censer, thou Korah, and all thy company, or all thy people;)

7 and tomorrow when fire is taken up, put ye incense above before the Lord (and tomorrow put fire in them, and put ye incense on it before the Lord), and whomever the Lord chooseth, he shall be holy. Ye sons of Levi be much raised (up).

Numbers 16:1-7 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.