Num 16 | TSK | STEP | The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Moses separates the people from the rebels' tents. The earth swallows up Korah, and a fire consumes others. The censers are reserved to holy use. Fourteen thousand and seven hundred are slain by a plague, for murmuring against Moses and Aaron. Aaron by incense stays the plague. Korah. sons of Reuben. took men.As the word men is not in the text, some read "took counsel;" and some "took courage." Houbigant renders {yikkach, rebellionem fecerunt,} "they rebelled;" which scarcely any rule of criticism can ever justify. Dr. Geddes' translation is, "Another insurrection was raised against Moses by Korah," etc. Others think that it may mean, "behaved with insolence." But, as Dr. A. Clarke observes, the verb {wyyikkach,} "and he took" which though at the end of the sentence in English, is the first word in Hebrew, is not in the plural, but the singular; and hence cannot be applied to the acts of all these chiefs. In every part of the Scripture, where this rebellion is referred to, it is attributed to Korah, therefore the verb here belongs to him; and the whole verse should be translated, "Now Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, he took even Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, son of Peleth, son of Reuben, and they rose up," etc.; reading, with some MSS., the Samaritan, and Septuagint, {ben,} son, instead of {beney,} sons.

Numbers 16

1 The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

23 Moses separates the people from the rebels' tents.

31 The earth swallows up Korah, and a fire consumes others.

36 The censers are reserved to holy use.

41 Fourteen thousand and seven hundred are slain by a plague, for murmuring against Moses and Aaron.

46 Aaron by incense stays the plague.

Korah.

26:9,10; 27:3; Ex 6:18,21; Jude 1:11

sons of Reuben.

Ge 49:3,4; 1Ch 5:1,2

took men.As the word men is not in the text, some read "took counsel;" and some "took courage." Houbigant renders {yikkach, rebellionem fecerunt,} "they rebelled;" which scarcely any rule of criticism can ever justify. Dr. Geddes' translation is, "Another insurrection was raised against Moses by Korah," etc. Others think that it may mean, "behaved with insolence." But, as Dr. A. Clarke observes, the verb {wyyikkach,} "and he took" which though at the end of the sentence in English, is the first word in Hebrew, is not in the plural, but the singular; and hence cannot be applied to the acts of all these chiefs. In every part of the Scripture, where this rebellion is referred to, it is attributed to Korah, therefore the verb here belongs to him; and the whole verse should be translated, "Now Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, he took even Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, son of Peleth, son of Reuben, and they rose up," etc.; reading, with some MSS., the Samaritan, and Septuagint, {ben,} son, instead of {beney,} sons.

famous.

26:9; Ge 6:4; 1Ch 5:24; 12:30; Eze 16:14; 23:10

gathered.

11; 12:1,2; 14:1-4; Ps 106:16; Ac 7:39,51

Ye take too much upon you. Heb. It is much for you. allthe.

Ex 19:6; Ezr 9:2; Isa 1:11-16; Jer 7:3-12; Mt 3:9,10; Ro 2:28,29

the Lord.

14:14; 35:34; Ex 29:45,46; Ps 68:17

45; 14:5; 20:6; Jos 7:6

the Lord.

Mal 3:18; 2Ti 2:19

who is holy.

3; Le 21:6-8,12-15; Isa 61:5,6; 1Pe 2:5-9; Re 1:6; 5:9,10

will cause.

Ex 28:43; Le 10:3; Ps 65:4; Eze 40:46; 44:15,16; Eph 2:13

Heb 10:19-22; 12:14

even him.

17:5; Ex 28:1; Le 8:2; 1Sa 2:28; Ps 105:26; Joh 15:16; Ac 1:2,24

Ac 13:2; 15:7; 22:14; 2Ti 2:3,4

35-40,46-48; Le 10:1; 16:12,13; 1Ki 18:21-23

that the man.

3,5; Eph 1:4; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 2:9

too much.

3; 1Ki 18:17,18; Mt 21:23-27

Seemeth it but.

13; Ge 30:15; 1Sa 18:23; 2Sa 7:19; Isa 7:13; Eze 34:18; 1Co 4:3

separated.

1:53; 3:41-45; 8:14-16; 18:2-6; De 10:8; 2Ch 35:3; Ne 12:44

Eze 44:10,11; Ac 13:2

and seek.

Pr 13:10; Mt 20:21,22; Lu 22:24; Ro 12:10; Php 2:3; 3Jo 1:9

against.

3; 1Sa 8:7; Lu 10:16; Joh 13:20; Ro 13:2

what is Aaron.

Ex 16:7,8; 17:2; Ac 5:4; 1Co 3:5

Pr 29:9; Isa 3:5; 1Pe 2:13,14; Jude 1:8

a small.

out of a.

11:5; Ex 1:11,22; 2:23

to kill.

20:3,4; Ex 16:3; 17:3

thou make.

Ex 2:14; Ps 2:2,3; Lu 19:14; Ac 7:25-27,35

Moreover.

36:8-10; Ex 3:8,17; Le 20:24

put out. Heb. bore out.

very wroth.

12:3; Ex 32:19; Mt 5:22; Mr 3:5; Eph 4:26

Respect.

6,7; Ge 4:4,5; Isa 1:10-15

I have not.Though Moses was their ruler, under God, yet, so far from oppressing them, he had not imposed the smallest tax, nor taken, as a present, so much as an ass from one of them. The common present that is now made to the great, in these countries, is a horse; but there is reason to believe, that an ass might formerly have answered the same purpose. "If it is a visit of ceremony from a {bashaw,}" says Dr. Russell, "or other person in power, a fine horse, sometimes with furniture, or some such valuable present, is made to him at his departure." As asses were esteemed no dishonourable beasts for the saddle, Sir. J. Chardin, in his MS., supposes, that when Samuel disclaimed having taken the ass of any one, (1 Sa 12:3,) he is to be understood of not having taken any ass for his riding. In the same light, he considers this similar declaration of Moses. His reason is "asses being then esteemed very honourable creatures for riding on, (ch. 22:21, 30. Jud 5:10. 2 Sa 16:2,) as they are at this very time in Persia, being rode with saddles."

1Sa 12:3,4; Ac 20:33,34; 1Co 9:15; 2Co 1:12; 7:2; 12:14-17

Be thou.

before.

Korah.

and the glory.

42; 12:5; 14:10; Ex 16:7,10; Le 9:6,23

Separate.

Ge 19:15-22; Jer 5:16; Ac 2:40; 2Co 6:17; Eph 5:6,7; Re 18:4

that I may.

45; 14:12,15; Ex 32:10; 33:5; Ps 73:19; Isa 37:36; Heb 12:28,29

they fell.

4,45; 14:5

the God.

27:16; Job 12:10; Ec 12:7; Isa 57:16; Zec 12:1; Heb 12:9

one man sin.

Ge 18:23-25,32; Jos 7:1-26; 2Sa 24:1,17; Ro 5:18; 1Co 13:7

21It should seem that Dathan and Abiram had set up a spacious tabernacle in the midst of the tents of their families, where they kept court, met in council, and hung out their flag of defiance against Moses; it is here called the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. There, as in the place of rendezvous, Dathan and Abiram stayed, when Korah and his friends went up to the tabernacle of the Lord, waiting the issue of their trial; but here we are told how they had their business done, before that trial was over. God will take what method he pleases in his judgments.

11:16,17,25,30

Depart, I pray you.The rebels, with all that belonged to them, were, as an accursed thing, devoted to utter destruction. (Le 27:28, 29. Jos 7:13-15, 23-26.) The people therefore were forbidden to touch anything belonging to them; that they might enter a solemn protest against their wickedness, acknowledge the justice of their punishment, and express their fear of being involved in it.

21-24; Ge 19:12-14; De 13:17; Isa 52:11; Mt 10:14; Ac 8:20; 13:51

2Co 6:17; 1Ti 5:22; Re 18:4

and stood.

2Ki 9:30,31; Job 9:4; 40:10,11; Pr 16:18; 18:12; Isa 28:14

Hereby.

Ex 3:12; 4:1-9; 7:9; De 18:22; Zec 2:9; 4:9; Joh 5:36; 11:42; 14:11

for I have.{Kee lo millibbee,} "and that not out of my heart." It was not of my own device or contrivance. It was not out of an ambitious desire to be great myself that I took upon me the government, nor out of private affection to my brother, that I appointed him and his family to the priesthood.

of mine.

24:13; 1Ki 18:36; Jer 23:16; Eze 13:17; Joh 5:30; 6:38

the common, etc. Heb. as every man dieth. visited.

Ex 20:5; 32:34; Job 35:15; Isa 10:3; Jer 5:9; La 4:22

the Lord.

1Ki 22:28; 2Ch 18:27

make a new thing.Heb. create a creature; {wëim beriah yivra Yehowah,} "And if Jehovah should create a creation," i.e., do such a thing as was never done before.

Job 31:3; Isa 28:21; 43:19; 45:7,12; Jer 31:22

and they.

33; Ps 55:15

26:10,11; 27:3; De 11:6; Ps 106:17,18

the earth.

30; Ge 4:11; Isa 5:14; Re 12:16

all the.

17; 26:11; 27:3; 1Ch 6:22,37; Ps 84:1; 85:1; 88:1; *titles

into the.

Ps 9:15; 55:23; 69:15; 143:7; Isa 14:9,15; Eze 32:18,30

they perished.

Jude 1:11

fled.

Isa 33:3; Zec 14:5; Re 6:15-17

Lest.

17:12,13

And there.

11:1; 26:10; Le 10:2; Ps 106:18

two hundred.

2,17

the censers.

7,18

hallowed.{Kadashoo,} consecrated, i.e., to the service of God, though in this instance, improperly employed.

Le 27:28

sinners.

1Ki 2:23; Pr 1:18; 8:36; 20:2; Hab 2:10

a sign.

40; 17:10; 26:10; Eze 14:8; 1Co 10:11; 2Pe 2:6

that no.

3:10,38; 18:4-7; Le 22:10; 2Ch 26:18-20; Jude 1:11

come near.

1Ki 13:1-3; 2Ch 26:16-21

on the morrow.It is not unlikely, that the people persuaded themselves that Moses and Aaron had used some cunning in this business and that the earthquake and fire were artificial; for, had they discerned the hand of God in this punishment, they would scarcely have dared the anger of the Lord in the very face of his justice. And while they thus absurdly imputed this judgement to Moses and Aaron, they impiously called the persons, thus perishing in their rebellion, "the people of the Lord!"

all the.

1-7; 14:2; Ps 106:13,23,25-48; Isa 26:11

Ye have.

3; 2Sa 16:7,8; 1Ki 18:17; Jer 37:13,14; 38:4; 43:3; Am 7:10; Mt 5:11

Ac 5:28; 21:28; 2Co 6:8

when the.

the glory.

19; 14:10; 20:6; Ex 16:7,10; 24:16; 40:34,35; Le 9:23

Get you up.

21,24,26

And they.

22; 20:6; 1Ch 21:16; Mt 26:39

from off.

Le 9:24; 10:1; 16:12,13; Isa 6:6,7; Ro 5:9,10; Heb 7:25-27; 9:25,26

Re 8:3-5

and put.

Ps 141:2; Mal 1:11

an atonement.

Ex 30:7-10; Le 16:11-16; 1Jo 2:1,2

there is wrath.

1:53; 8:19; 11:33; 18:5; Le 10:6; 1Ch 27:24; Ps 106:29

the plague is begun.God now punished them by a secret blast, so as to put the matter beyond dispute; His hand, and His alone, was seen, not only in the plague, but in the manner in which the mortality was arrested. It was necessary that it should be done in this way, that the whole congregation might see that these men who had perished were not "the people of the Lord," and that God, not Moses and Aaron, had destroyed them.

and ran.

Mt 5:44; Ro 12:21

and behold.

Ps 106:29

and he put.

46; De 33:10,11; Isa 53:10-12 What the plague was we know not; but it seems from this to have begun at one part of the camp, and to have proceeded regularly onward.

18,35; 25:8-11; 2Sa 24:16,17,25; 1Ch 21:26,27; 1Th 1:10

1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 7:24,25; Jas 5:16; Joh 5:14

fourteen thousand.

32-35; 25:9; 1Ch 21:14; Heb 2:1-3; 10:28,29; 12:25

43; 1Ch 21:26-30