Numbers 16:4

4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face;

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 and they rose up before Moses with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown.

3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, "Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?"

4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face;

5 and he spoke unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, "Even tomorrow the LORD will show who are His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near unto Him. Even him whom He hath chosen will He cause to come near unto Him.

6 This do: Take you censers, Korah and all his company,