Numbers 16
TSK
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

Numbers 26:9,10 And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that …

Numbers 27:3 Our father died in the wilderness…

Exodus 6:18,21 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel…

Jude 1:11 Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily …

sons of Reuben

Genesis 49:3,4 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, …

1 Chronicles 5:1,2 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; …

took men. As the word men is not in the text, some read 'took counsel;' and some 'took courage.' Houbigant renders they rebelled; which scarcely any rule of criticism can ever justify. Dr. Geddes' translation is, 'Another insurrection was raised against Moses by Korah,'. Others think that it may mean, 'behaved with insolence.' But, as Dr. A. Clarke observes, the very 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 very heresy 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, sons of Peleth, son of Reuben, and they rose up,' reading, with some MSS, the Samaritan, and Septuagint, ben, son, instead of beney, sons.

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:
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?
And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
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.

the Lord

Malachi 3:18 Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the …

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, …

who is holy

Numbers 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, …

Leviticus 21:6-8,12-15 They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their …

Isaiah 61:5,6 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the …

1 Peter 2:5-9 You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy …

Revelation 1:6 And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be …

Revelation 5:9,10 And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, …

will cause

Exodus 28:43 And they shall be on Aaron, and on his sons, when they come in to …

Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said to Aaron, This is it that the LORD spoke, saying, …

Psalm 65:4 Blessed is the man whom you choose, and cause to approach to you, …

Ezekiel 40:46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, …

Ezekiel 44:15,16 But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge …

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near …

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holiest by …

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall …

even him

Numbers 17:5 And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, …

Exodus 28:1 And take you to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from …

Leviticus 8:2 Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing …

1 Samuel 2:28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, …

Psalm 105:26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.

John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, …

Acts 1:2,24 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the …

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said…

Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to …

Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you, that you should …

2 Timothy 2:3,4 You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ…

This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
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.
And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
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?
And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
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?
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 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.

very wroth

Numbers 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were on …

Exodus 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came near to the camp, that he …

Matthew 5:22 But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without …

Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved …

Ephesians 4:26 Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath:

respect

Numbers 16:6,7 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company…

Genesis 4:4,5 And Abel, he also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the …

Isaiah 1:10-15 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law …

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 barshaw, says Dr. Russell, or other person in power, a fine horse, sometimes with furniture, or some such valuable present, it made to him at his departure. As asses were esteemed no dishonourable beasts for the saddle, Sr. J. Chardin, in his MS., supposes, that when Samuel disclaimed having taken the ass of any one, 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 as they are at this very time in Persia, being rode with saddles.

1 Samuel 12:3,4 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before …

Acts 20:33,34 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel…

1 Corinthians 9:15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these …

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that …

2 Corinthians 7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we …

2 Corinthians 12:14-17 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not …

1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how piously and justly and blamelessly …

And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
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.
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.
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.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
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?
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

Numbers 16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume …

It 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 flags 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.

And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
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.
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.
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.

hereby

Exodus 3:12 And he said, Certainly I will be with you; and this shall be a token …

Exodus 4:1-9 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, …

Exodus 7:9 When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying, Show a miracle for you: …

Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow …

Zechariah 2:9 For, behold, I will shake my hand on them, and they shall be a spoil …

Zechariah 4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his …

John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which …

John 11:42 And I knew that you hear me always: but because of the people which …

John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else …

for I have. '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

Numbers 24:13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot …

1 Kings 18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, …

Jeremiah 23:16 Thus said the LORD of hosts, Listen not to the words of the prophets …

Ezekiel 13:17 Likewise, you son of man, set your face against the daughters of …

John 5:30 I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment …

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will …

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.
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 quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
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:
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.
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.
And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
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.

the censers

Numbers 16:7,18 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to …

hallowed, consecrated, to the service of God, though in this instance, improperly employed.

Leviticus 27:1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

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.
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:
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.
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.

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

Numbers 16:1-7 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, …

Numbers 14:2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against …

Psalm 106:13,23,25 They soon forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel…

Isaiah 26:11 LORD, when your hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall …

ye have

Numbers 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, …

2 Samuel 16:7,8 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, you bloody …

1 Kings 18:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, …

Jeremiah 37:13,14 And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was …

Jeremiah 38:4 Therefore the princes said to the king, We beseech you, let this …

Jeremiah 43:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah sets you on against us, for to deliver …

Amos 7:10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying…

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and …

Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach …

Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teaches all …

2 Corinthians 6:8 By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, …

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.
And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
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.

from off

Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed on the …

Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, …

Leviticus 16:12,13 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off …

Isaiah 6:6,7 Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having a live coal in his hand, …

Romans 5:9,10 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved …

Hebrews 7:25-27 Why he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God …

Hebrews 9:25,26 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters …

Revelation 8:3-5 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; …

and put

Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting …

Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same …

an atonement

Exodus 30:7-10 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he …

Leviticus 16:11-16 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for …

1 John 2:1,2 My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. …

there is wrath

Numbers 1:53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony…

Numbers 8:19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from …

Numbers 11:33 And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, …

Numbers 18:5 And you shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of …

Leviticus 10:6 And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, …

1 Chronicles 27:24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because …

Psalm 106:29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague …

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 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.
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge by R. A. Torrey [ca. 1880]
Expanded version courtesy INT Bible ©2013, Used by permission

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