FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Further rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Numbers 16:12
KJVAnd Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
Read it in context
Korah’s Rebellion
Start reading at Numbers 16:1 (Numbers 16:1 to Numbers 16:22).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Further rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
- 16:1 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:
- 16:2 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:
- 16:3 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: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
- 16:4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
- 16:5 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.
- 16:6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
- 16:7 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.
- 16:8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
- 16:9 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?
- 16:10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
- 16:11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
- 16:12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
- 16:13 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?
- 16:14 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.
- 16:15 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.
- 16:16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
- 16:17 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.
- 16:18 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.
- 16:19 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.
- 16:20 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
- 16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
- 16:22 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?
Who
- Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. He is explicitly credited with writing Israel's journeys at the LORD's command. Biblical references: Numbers 33:2. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Numbers 16:1–17:13): Korah, Dathan, Abiram, their supporters, Moses, Aaron, and the congregation are involved in the leadership dispute and its aftermath. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel during the wilderness journey, including the generation preparing to enter Canaan, with the record preserved for later Israel. Biblical references: Numbers 1:1; Numbers 26:63; Numbers 36:13. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Korah’s Rebellion. Read Numbers 16:1 through Numbers 16:22 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Further rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book moves from the second year after departure from Egypt toward the fortieth year, through the deaths of the wilderness generation and preparation of its successors. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The setting moves from Sinai through wilderness stations to the plains of Moab east of Jordan. Individual journeys and encounters name more precise locations. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Korah’s Rebellion (Numbers 16:1 to Numbers 16:22). Start reading at Numbers 16:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus explicitly refers to Moses lifting up the serpent when speaking about the Son of man. Paul also uses wilderness events as warnings for the church; these connections preserve both God's provision and human responsibility. See John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Receive warnings about complaint, unbelief, and rebellion without presuming that participation in a community removes personal responsibility. Read each event with its stated circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Numbers 16:1, Numbers 16:22, John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote the record of the journeys at the LORD's command.
Numbers 33:2
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing.
Other accounts of this event
The rebellion of Dathan and Abiram recalled
Later retelling included
The psalm briefly recalls the rebellion; it is not a second occurrence.
Related passages
- And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram,… Prov 29:9 Isa 3:5 1 Pet 2:13-14 Jude 1:8
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Numbers
About 38 years
- Second year after the exodusBeginning · Numbers 1:1
Israel is counted at Sinai
The opening census is dated to the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt. - Fortieth year after the exodusClosing wilderness period
Israel prepares to enter the land
Aaron’s death is dated to the fortieth year. The closing instructions are given on the plains of Moab before Israel crosses the Jordan.
The dated narrative moves from the second year toward the end of the fortieth year, an interval of roughly 38 years.
View historical notes and sources
This is an approximate span of the narrative, not an exact count of days and not the date when the book was written. Numbers 33:38 dates Aaron’s death; Numbers 36:13 identifies the closing setting. Deuteronomy 1:3 places Moses’ subsequent address in the fortieth year.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Numbers 16
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
Moses Separates the People
Numbers 16:23–27FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation The Earth Swallows Korah
Numbers 16:28–35FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation The Censers Reserved for Holy Use
Numbers 16:36–40FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Murmuring and Plague
Numbers 16:41–50FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Further rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Numbers
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
Ordering the camp
Numbers 1:1–10:10FocusNumbering, worship, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
interpretation The journey and the refusal to enter
Numbers 10:11–14:45FocusComplaint, leadership, and unbelief
Connection to the wholeTravel and repeated complaints culminate in the refusal to enter the land and the sentence upon that generation.
interpretation FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Toward Moab
Numbers 20:1–25:18FocusLoss, conflict, blessing, and unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
interpretation The next generation prepared
Numbers 26:1–30:16FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows
Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation Final arrangements east of Jordan
Numbers 31:1–36:13FocusJudgment, settlement, and boundaries
Connection to the wholeMilitary action, settlement requests, the travel record, and land provisions complete the preparation for entry into Canaan.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.