Numbers Chapter 16
Showing all 50 verses for Numbers Chapter 16.
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"Now 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, sons of Reuben, took men: "
"Korah, a Levite descended from Kohath, teamed up with Dathan, Abiram, and On — men from the tribe of Reuben — and gathered a group of followers."
Envy and grievance can quietly gather company - Korah's discontent didn't stay private, he drew others into it. Watch your own heart when you feel overlooked, and don't let bitterness recruit others into a resentment that isn't of me.
"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: "
"They stood up publicly against Moses, backed by 250 well-known Israelite leaders — men who were respected and famous within the community."
Status and reputation don't guarantee you're standing in the truth - here influential men used their credibility to challenge what I had rightly ordained. Don't let your own standing become a platform for pride dressed up as principle.
"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: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? "
"They confronted Moses and Aaron together and said, "You've gone too far! Every single person in this community is holy, and the LORD is present among all of us — so why do you set yourselves above everyone else?""
There's a truth hidden in their complaint - all my people are precious and set apart to me - but they twisted it into an excuse to reject the leaders I had appointed. Don't let a genuine truth about human dignity become a weapon against godly authority and order.
"And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: "
"When Moses heard this, he fell face-down on the ground."
When falsely accused, Moses didn't retaliate - he fell down before me in humility rather than fighting for his own honour. When you're wrongly attacked, bring it to me first rather than defending yourself in pride.
"And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew 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. "
"He said to Korah and his whole group, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who really belongs to him and who is holy, and he will bring that person close to himself — he will choose whoever he wants near him.""
Moses didn't need to win the argument himself - he trusted me to reveal the truth in my own time. When you're misunderstood or falsely opposed, you don't have to force vindication; let me show what is true.
"This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; "
""Do this: get some fire-pans, Korah, you and all your followers.""
I gave Korah's company a fair chance to test their claim honestly, rather than simply crushing them for their pride. I deal patiently even with those who oppose me, giving room to reconsider before judgement falls.
"And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. "
""Put fire in them, and put incense on the fire in front of the LORD tomorrow. Whoever the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far.""
Moses turns the accusation back gently but firmly, reminding them that wanting a role isn't the same as being called to it. Ambition dressed as fairness still needs to be tested against my actual calling, not human desire alone.
"And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: "
"Moses said to Korah, "Listen carefully, you sons of Levi.""
Moses reminds Korah that being drawn near to serve was already a privilege, yet it wasn't enough for him. Learn to be grateful for the place I've given you rather than measuring your worth by a role I haven't given you.
"Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? "
""Isn't it enough for you that the God of Israel has already set you apart from the rest of the community, bringing you close to himself to do the work of the tabernacle and to stand in front of the people and serve them?""
I had already separated the Levites and brought them near to serve me - a genuine honour they overlooked because they wanted more. Notice the gifts and privileges I've already given you before you resent what you haven't been given.
"And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? "
""He's already brought you near to him, you and all your fellow Levites with you — and now you're after the priesthood too?""
Wanting more than what I've called you to isn't ambition I bless - it's a failure to trust that what I've given you is enough. True contentment isn't passive resignation, it's trusting my good judgement about your place.
"For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him? "
""This is really why you and your whole group have gathered together — against the LORD. And as for Aaron, what has he done that you should complain against him?""
Moses points out that their complaint against Aaron was really rebellion against me - opposing my appointed servants is opposing me. Be careful how you treat those I've placed in service; your quarrel with them may really be a quarrel with me.
"And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: "
"Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, but they said, "We won't come.""
Even when Moses reached out in good faith, Dathan and Abiram refused to even have the conversation. Don't let pride harden you into refusing dialogue with those trying to reconcile with you.
"Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? "
""Isn't it enough that you brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in this wilderness — and now you want to lord it over us as well?""
Notice how they twist the truth completely, calling slavery in Egypt the land of milk and honey - bitterness distorts memory and blinds people to real deliverance. Don't let resentment rewrite your own story; remember truthfully what I have actually done for you.
"Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. "
""And you haven't even brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, or given us fields and vineyards as an inheritance. Do you think you can pull the wool over these men's eyes? We won't come.""
Their accusation grows wilder still, accusing Moses of blinding them when it was their own unbelief that had cost them the promised land. It's easier to blame a leader than to face our own part in a hard situation - be honest about your own responsibility first.
"And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. "
"Moses was furious, and said to the LORD, "Don't accept their offering. I haven't taken so much as one donkey from them, and I haven't wronged a single one of them.""
Moses can honestly say his leadership never profited him personally - a clean conscience is real defence against false accusation. Lead and serve in such a way that when you're wrongly accused, your own integrity speaks for you.
"And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: "
"Moses said to Korah, "You and all your followers be present before the LORD tomorrow — you, they, and Aaron.""
I gave every single man a genuinely equal opportunity to be heard and tested, without favouritism towards Moses or Aaron. I am fair - even those who oppose me get a real hearing before judgement comes.
"And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. "
""Each man take his own fire-pan, put incense in it, and bring it before the LORD — 250 fire-pans, one for each man — and you and Aaron bring yours too.""
Each man, including Aaron, was to bring his own censer - the test applied equally to everyone with no exceptions made for anyone's position. Real fairness treats every person by the same standard, whatever their status.
"And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. "
"So each man took his fire-pan, put fire in it, laid incense on top, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance of the tent of meeting."
Two hundred and fifty men stood ready to worship in a way I hadn't asked for - sincerity and effort don't replace obedience to how I've actually called you to approach me. Zeal without obedience can still lead you into danger.
"And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. "
"Korah gathered the whole community to watch, at the entrance of the tent of meeting — and the glory of the LORD appeared to everyone there."
Korah tried to turn a private grievance into a public spectacle, pulling the whole community into his rebellion - but my presence appeared to settle the matter, not to take his side. Be careful about rallying others to your cause before you're sure it's actually mine.
"And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, "
"The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron."
I spoke to Moses and Aaron together here, showing that even at the height of crisis, I still address my faithful servants directly and personally. When trouble surrounds you, know that I am still speaking to you, not distant from you.
"Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. "
""Separate yourselves from this community, so that I can destroy them in an instant.""
My holiness cannot simply overlook persistent, defiant rebellion - it takes sin seriously because it harms people and dishonours truth. Don't mistake my patience for indifference to wrongdoing; both my mercy and my justice are real.
"And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? "
"Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, "God, God of the spirits of all humanity — will you be angry with the whole community because one man sinned?""
Moses and Aaron intercede for the very people who had just condemned them, pleading for mercy on their accusers rather than welcoming their punishment. This is the heart I want in you: praying for those who wrong you, not celebrating their downfall.
"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "
"The LORD spoke to Moses."
I answer Moses' intercession by speaking again - showing that honest pleading on behalf of others genuinely reaches me and shapes what happens next. Don't be afraid to keep bringing your concerns for others before me.
"Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. "
""Tell the community: Get away from the area around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.""
I gave everyone a clear chance to step away from wrongdoing before judgement fell - mercy always comes with a way of escape. When you see others heading towards harm, be the one who calls them to step back rather than staying silent.
"And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. "
"Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him."
Moses went personally, humbly, to confront the danger rather than sending someone else or staying at a safe distance. Real leadership sometimes means walking directly towards a hard, uncomfortable situation for the sake of others.
"And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. "
"He said to the community, "Please move away from the tents of these wicked men, and don't touch anything that belongs to them, or you'll be swept away because of their sins.""
Moses warns the people to step back from persistent, unrepentant sin - not out of contempt for people, but to protect them from being swept into its consequences. Loving someone doesn't mean joining them in a path that will harm you both.
"So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. "
"So the people moved away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the entrances of their tents with their wives, sons, and little children."
It grieves me to see families standing together at the edge of judgement, including little children caught in the consequences of a parent's rebellion. Consider how your choices ripple out to affect those who depend on you and trust you.
"And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. "
"Moses said, "This is how you'll know that the LORD sent me to do all these things, and that I haven't done any of it on my own initiative.""
Moses stakes his credibility on a public, verifiable sign rather than simply demanding people believe him - true calling doesn't fear honest scrutiny. I welcome genuine examination of what I do; I have nothing to hide.
"If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. "
""If these men just die a normal death, the way everyone eventually dies, then the LORD hasn't sent me.""
Moses is willing to stake everything on the outcome - if these men simply die a natural death, he admits he was never truly sent by me. Real integrity is willing to be tested and proven wrong rather than hiding behind unfalsifiable claims.
"But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
""But if the LORD does something entirely new — if the ground splits open and swallows them, along with everything that belongs to them, so they go down alive into the pit — then you'll know these men have shown contempt for the LORD.""
Moses proposes an unmistakable sign, something so extraordinary no one could call it coincidence, because he wants the truth to be undeniable, not merely convincing. When I act, I often make my hand plain enough that hardened hearts have no excuse to doubt.
"And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: "
"As soon as he finished saying this, the ground split apart right under them."
The judgement came the very moment Moses finished speaking - a sober reminder that my word is not empty, it accomplishes exactly what it declares. Take my warnings seriously; they are never idle threats.
"And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. "
"The earth opened up and swallowed them — their households, and everyone associated with Korah, along with all their possessions."
This is a sobering picture of what persistent, defiant rebellion against my clear word leads to - not because I delight in judgement, but because unrepented rebellion has real consequences. Take seriously the warnings I give before things reach this point; heed them while there is still time.
"They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. "
"They went down alive into the pit, together with everything that belonged to them, and the earth closed over them — they were gone from the community."
They went down alive, cut off suddenly from the congregation they had tried to divide - a stark end to a rebellion that could have been abandoned at any point before this. It's never too late to step back from a path of pride and division, until it truly is.
"And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. "
"All the Israelites nearby fled at the sound of their screaming, saying, "The ground might swallow us too!""
Fear swept through the camp because people finally recognised how serious rebellion against me truly is - a healthy reverence, even born from a hard moment, can turn hearts back to me. Let a right fear of consequences lead you towards wisdom, not just panic.
"And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. "
"Then fire came out from the LORD and burned up the 250 men who had offered the incense."
These men offered sincere worship in a way I had not authorised, and it cost them everything, showing that good intentions don't override the importance of approaching me as I've actually asked. Come to me the way I've made possible, through Christ, not through your own invented way.
"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "
"The LORD spoke to Moses."
Even after this heavy judgement, I gave Moses further careful instruction, showing my continuing concern for how my people would remember and learn from this moment. I am never finished caring for you, even in the aftermath of hard events.
"Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. "
""Tell Eleazar, Aaron's son the priest, to pick the fire-pans out of the smouldering remains and scatter the fire far away, because the fire-pans themselves are now holy.""
I asked for the censers to be gathered up carefully because they were hallowed, even though the men who used them had sinned gravely - I can set apart for good purpose what was misused for wrong. What was meant for harm can still be reclaimed by me for something worthwhile.
"The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. "
""The fire-pans of these men, who sinned at the cost of their own lives — have them hammered into flat plates to cover the altar, since they were offered before the LORD and so are holy. Let them be a sign to the Israelites.""
I take the very instruments of rebellion and repurpose them into a lasting, visible reminder for good - nothing, not even a tragic failure, is wasted when I am at work in it. Even our worst mistakes can become something that teaches and protects others afterwards.
"And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: "
"Eleazar the priest took the bronze fire-pans that had belonged to the men who were burned, and they were hammered into plates to cover the altar."
Eleazar faithfully carried out this task exactly as instructed, quietly completing a solemn duty in the aftermath of tragedy. Faithful service sometimes means doing the sober, unglamorous work that others overlook.
"To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses. "
"This was a reminder to the Israelites that no one outside Aaron's family line should come and burn incense before the LORD, so that no one would end up like Korah and his followers — just as the LORD had told Moses."
This lasting memorial exists to protect people from making the same costly mistake again - a loving warning, not a monument of cruelty. When I set boundaries, they exist to keep you safe, not to punish you in advance.
"But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. "
"But the very next day, the whole community complained again against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the LORD's people!""
Astonishingly, after witnessing clear judgement, the people immediately blamed Moses and Aaron rather than examining their own hearts - grief can curdle into unfair blame very quickly. When tragedy strikes, resist the urge to find someone to accuse before you've sought the truth.
"And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. "
"As the community gathered against Moses and Aaron, they looked towards the tent of meeting — and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared."
Even in the middle of the people's unfair accusations, my presence was still there, visible and near - I don't withdraw from you the moment you fail to understand me rightly. My patience with you runs deeper than your patience with yourself.
"And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. "
"Moses and Aaron went and stood in front of the tent of meeting."
Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle rather than defending themselves before the crowd - they took the accusation straight to me instead of arguing it out with angry people. When falsely blamed, bring the matter to my presence rather than trading words with an angry crowd.
"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "
"The LORD spoke to Moses."
Once again I move towards judging the whole assembly for a fault shared by many - showing that persistent, collective grumbling still has real weight and consequence, not just individual complaints. Take seriously how a community's shared attitude can matter, not only individual actions.
"Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. "
""Get away from this community, so that I can destroy them in an instant." And they fell facedown."
Once again Moses and Aaron fall on their faces, refusing to stand by and let judgement happen without pleading for mercy first. Never grow so comfortable with others' wrongdoing that you stop interceding for them.
"And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. "
"Moses said to Aaron, "Take a fire-pan, put fire in it from the altar, add incense, and hurry to the community to make atonement for them — because anger has gone out from the LORD; the plague has already started.""
Aaron doesn't hesitate or protect himself - he runs straight into danger carrying atonement to a dying people, at real personal risk. This is the love I ask of you: willing to step into hard, even dangerous places to bring healing to others.
"And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. "
"Aaron did as Moses told him and ran into the middle of the community. The plague had already begun among the people, so he added the incense and made atonement for them."
Aaron ran into the very crowd that had just accused him unjustly, choosing to serve those who wronged him rather than nursing his grievance. Meeting hostility with active mercy, not resentment, is the pattern I long to see in you.
"And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. "
"He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague stopped."
Aaron literally stood in the gap between death and life, and the plague stopped exactly there - a beautiful picture of intercession that actually changes outcomes. I invite you to stand in the gap for others too, through prayer and costly love.
"Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. "
"Those who died in the plague numbered 14,700, not counting those who died because of Korah's rebellion."
This heavy loss of life is sobering, but it stopped the moment atonement was made - a reminder that mercy always has the last word when someone is willing to intercede. Even in the darkest moments, my mercy is never far from those who turn to me.
"And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed. "
"Aaron went back to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and the plague had stopped."
Aaron returned to Moses once the plague had stopped, the crisis resolved not by argument but by costly, humble intercession. Real resolution to conflict often comes through sacrificial love, not through winning the dispute.