The term "250 men" is most notably associated with the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron, as recorded in the Book of Numbers. This event is a significant episode in the wilderness journey of the Israelites and highlights themes of leadership, authority, and divine judgment.

Biblical Context

The account of the 250 men is found in Numbers 16. Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben, challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron. They accused them of exalting themselves above the assembly of the Lord. Korah gathered 250 leaders of the congregation, described as "men of renown," to support this rebellion.

Numbers 16:1-2 :
"Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly."

These men were not ordinary members of the community; they were leaders and representatives, indicating that the rebellion had significant backing and posed a serious challenge to Moses' authority.

The Rebellion and Its Consequences

Moses responded to the challenge by proposing a test to determine whom the Lord had chosen as holy. Each of the 250 men, along with Korah, was to take a censer, put fire and incense in it, and present it before the Lord. The Lord would then show whom He had chosen.

Numbers 16:17-18 :
"Each man is to take his censer, place incense in it, and present it before the LORD—250 censers in all. You and Aaron are to present your censers as well. So each man took his censer, put fire and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting."

The outcome was a dramatic demonstration of divine judgment. The earth opened up and swallowed Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their households. Fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men offering incense.

Numbers 16:35 :
"And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense."

Significance

The incident of the 250 men serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of rebellion against divinely appointed leadership. It underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting God's chosen leaders and the severe consequences of challenging His authority. The event also highlights the holiness required in approaching God, as the unauthorized offering of incense by the 250 men resulted in their destruction.

The censers of the 250 men were later hammered into sheets to overlay the altar, serving as a reminder to the Israelites of the consequences of rebellion and the sanctity of the priesthood.

Numbers 16:38 :
"As for the censers of these men who sinned at the cost of their lives, make them into hammered sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the LORD and have become holy. They will be a sign to the Israelites."

This episode is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, illustrating the themes of divine justice and the sanctity of God's chosen order.