Numbers 16:1 kjv
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:
Numbers 16:1 nkjv
Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men;
Numbers 16:1 niv
Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites?Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth?became insolent
Numbers 16:1 esv
Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men.
Numbers 16:1 nlt
One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben.
Numbers 16 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 16:3 | "Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?" | Korah's challenge to Moses and Aaron's authority. |
| Num 16:32 | "And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up..." | Immediate divine judgment on Dathan and Abiram. |
| Deut 11:6 | "...what he did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, son of Reuben..." | Moses reminds Israel of God's swift judgment. |
| Ps 106:16-18 | "They provoked Moses in the camp...earth swallowed Dathan..." | A historical recounting of the rebellion and judgment. |
| Jude 1:11 | "Woe to them!...They have perished in the rebellion of Korah." | New Testament condemnation of those who defy divine authority. |
| Prov 29:1 | "He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken..." | Consequences of stubborn pride and resistance. |
| 1 Sam 13:13-14 | "...you have acted foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD..." | Saul's similar usurpation of priestly roles and its consequences. |
| 2 Chr 26:16-21 | "But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction..." | King Uzziah's pride leading to usurpation and divine judgment. |
| Heb 5:4 | "And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God..." | Priesthood is a divine calling, not self-appointed. |
| Rom 13:1-2 | "...let every person be subject to the governing authorities...resists God." | All authority is ordained by God; resisting it is resisting God. |
| 1 Cor 10:10 | "...nor grumble, as some of them grumbled and perished by the Destroyer." | Warning against grumbling and rebellion, referencing Israel. |
| Prov 27:4 | "Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" | Jealousy as a potential motivator for Korah's rebellion. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-14 | "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution..." | Command for submission to governing authorities. |
| Num 3:30-31 | "...the Kohathite clans, who had charge of the sacred furnishings..." | Details Korah's sacred but subordinate duties. |
| Gen 49:3-4 | "Reuben, you are my firstborn...unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence..." | Explains Reuben's demotion, potential motive for resentment. |
| Phil 2:3 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility..." | Contrasts Christian humility with Korah's ambition. |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | "...not a new convert, lest being puffed up with conceit..." | Warning against pride and ambition in leadership. |
| John 7:18 | "The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory..." | Contrasts self-seeking with Christ's obedience to God. |
| Judg 9:1-6 | "Abimelech...won over the men of Shechem...went and made Abimelech king." | Another example of self-appointed, disruptive leadership. |
| Exod 19:6 | "And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." | Israel's collective priestly potential vs. specific roles. |
| Lev 10:1-2 | "Now Nadab and Abihu...offered unauthorized fire...consumed them." | Divine judgment for improper priestly actions/usurpation. |
| Num 17:5 | "And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout..." | God's confirmation of Aaron's chosen leadership. |
Numbers 16 verses
Numbers 16 1 Meaning
Numbers 16:1 marks the beginning of a significant rebellion within the Israelite camp against the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron. It introduces the key figures of this insurrection: Korah, a prominent Levite from the Kohathite clan, joined by Dathan and Abiram, who were from the tribe of Reuben, along with On, also a Reubenite. This verse highlights the alliance of different grievances and ambitions—Levitical challenge to priestly authority and tribal resentment of the firstborn—uniting to defy the established order God had put in place for the nation of Israel. The verse's opening implies an active, initiated defiance rather than a passive observation.
Numbers 16 1 Context
Numbers chapter 16 immediately follows chapters detailing the duties of the Levites and various laws concerning offerings, vows, and clean living. Notably, it also comes after the wilderness generation has been condemned to forty years of wandering due to their disbelief and rebellion at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 14). Discontent and weariness with the desert journey and the rigorous demands of divine law likely contributed to the environment ripe for rebellion. The specific alliance in this verse is crucial: Korah, a Levite, challenges the exclusive Aaronic priesthood, while Dathan, Abiram, and On from the firstborn tribe of Reuben likely harbored resentment over their demoted status and challenged Moses' secular authority. This was a challenge not merely to human leaders but to the divinely established order itself, questioning the very authority and legitimacy of God's appointed channels.
Numbers 16 1 Word analysis
- Now: Transliteration: וַיִּקַּח (Vayyiqqaḥ). The conjunction 'now' often indicates a significant new development or transition in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of a major event. It acts as a narrative hinge, introducing the primary actors and their decisive action.
- Korah: Transliteration: קֹרַח (Qōraḥ). Meaning: "bald," "ice," or "frost." He was a Kohathite Levite, a grandson of Levi, which granted him a highly significant but specific role in the Tabernacle service, second only to the Aaronic priesthood. His lineage highlights that this rebellion came from within the religious hierarchy, not solely from outside.
- the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi: This detailed genealogy establishes Korah's high-ranking status within the Levitical tribe. The Kohathites were responsible for transporting the most sacred elements of the Tabernacle (the ark, the altar, the menorah), placing Korah in close proximity to the holy of holies, which may have fueled his ambition.
- with: Transliteration: וְ (və). Connective, showing association and joint action.
- Dathan and Abiram: Transliteration: דָּתָן (Dāṯān) and אֲבִירָם (ʾĂḇīrām). Meanings: "fountain," "well," and "my father is exalted," respectively. These individuals were prominent men from the tribe of Reuben. Their involvement represents a political challenge from one of the major tribes against Moses' general leadership.
- the sons of Eliab: This identifies them as brothers and part of a known family within the tribe of Reuben.
- and On, the son of Peleth: Transliteration: וְאוֹן (VəʾŌn) and פֶּלֶת (Peleṯ). Meanings: "strength," "vigor," and "escape," "deliverance." On is mentioned only in this verse as part of the initial conspiracy. His disappearance from subsequent verses may indicate he withdrew or was a lesser figure, though he was initially involved.
- sons of Reuben: Reinforces their tribal affiliation and motive for rebellion – likely resentment over Reuben, as the firstborn tribe, losing its preeminence (Gen 49:3-4).
- took men: Transliteration: וַיִּקַּח (vayyiqqaḥ). This verb typically means "to take" or "to receive." Here, it has been variously interpreted by scholars as:
- "Korah took [men for himself]," implying gathering and inciting a following.
- "Korah took [initiative]," signifying he launched the rebellion himself.
- "Korah separated himself" from the rest of the congregation or from Moses/Aaron's authority, implying an act of rebellion. This meaning fits well with the subsequent narrative of division. This specific rendering (from some ancient versions and commentators) underscores his defiant move.