Numbers 16 12

Numbers 16:12 kjv

And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:

Numbers 16:12 nkjv

And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, but they said, "We will not come up!

Numbers 16:12 niv

Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. But they said, "We will not come!

Numbers 16:12 esv

And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and they said, "We will not come up.

Numbers 16:12 nlt

Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they replied, "We refuse to come before you!

Numbers 16 verses

Numbers 16 12 Meaning

Numbers 16:12 depicts Moses' attempt to engage with Dathan and Abiram, leaders of a faction within Korah's rebellion, who had challenged Moses' leadership. Moses sends a summons, offering them a chance to present themselves. Their terse and defiant refusal, "We will not come up," signifies their absolute rejection of Moses' authority, God's divinely appointed order, and any possibility of reconciliation or accountability, effectively sealing their doom through divine judgment.

Numbers 16 12 Context

Numbers chapter 16 details the full scope of Korah's rebellion, encompassing three factions united against Moses and Aaron. Korah, a Levite, contested the spiritual authority of Aaron's priesthood. Dathan and Abiram, leaders from the tribe of Reuben, challenged Moses' political leadership, particularly his handling of the journey to the Promised Land. This rebellion was significant because it struck at the heart of the divine order established for Israel. The immediate verses prior describe Dathan and Abiram refusing to even come before Moses, and subsequently, Moses confronts Korah at the Tabernacle. This act of "sending to call" represents Moses' adherence to due process and his role as a patient mediator, giving the rebels a chance to repent or explain themselves, mirroring God's long-suffering character. Historically, the Israelites were in the wilderness, facing trials and ongoing murmurings against their leaders. This rebellion was a direct assault on the unique system of governance established by God for His covenant people, demonstrating extreme defiance just outside the Promised Land.

Numbers 16 12 Word analysis

• And Moses sent: Hebrew: šālakh (שָׁלַח). This highlights Moses' initiative and active role as God's chosen leader. He acts with an understanding of his responsibility, not rashly, but by attempting to secure an audience, a diplomatic overture before judgment. It speaks to a measured approach to a serious crisis, consistent with Moses' character as an intercessor.
• to call: Hebrew: qārāʾ (קָרָא). Implies a summons or invitation to a meeting or hearing. This was an opportunity for Dathan and Abiram to articulate their grievances respectfully or, more importantly, to humble themselves and turn from their rebellious path.
• Dathan and Abiram: These individuals were distinct from Korah in the specifics of their grievance (primarily against Moses' civil authority, rather than priestly) and their tribal affiliation (Reubenites). As Reuben was Jacob's firstborn, their descendants might have felt a historical claim to leadership, making their defiance particularly sharp. Their names, "Dathan" possibly related to 'their laws' or 'fountain of contention', and "Abiram" meaning 'my father is exalted,' might symbolically hint at the nature of their rebellion.
• the sons of Eliab: Specifies their family line, linking them to their tribal heritage within Reuben. This connection rooted their challenge in a prominent tribal household, adding weight and tribal support to their cause.
• which said: Highlights their direct, active, and verbal refusal. This was a conscious, decisive statement of rebellion.
• We will not come up: Hebrew: loʾ naʿaleh (לֹא נַעֲלֶה). This phrase is profoundly significant.
  • loʾ (לֹא): A strong, absolute negation – "absolutely not," "never."
  • naʿaleh (נַעֲלֶה): From the root ʿālāh (עָלָה), meaning "to go up," "ascend," "go up to." This verb is often used for ascending a mountain, going up to Jerusalem, or coming into the presence of an authority.
    • Physical Refusal: They refuse to physically ascend to Moses' location, possibly implying Moses' tent or an assembly area often on higher ground, or more specifically, the Tabernacle courtyard.
    • Symbolic Refusal: More importantly, it is a refusal to appear before legitimate authority, a defiance of summons. To "come up" before Moses would be to acknowledge his legitimate authority and the divine appointment that undergirded it. Their refusal is an act of contempt and hardened resistance to God's order. It speaks to a heart unwilling to be confronted, rebuked, or reconciled, signifying utter rebellion.

Words-group Analysis

• And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram: This phrase emphasizes Moses' posture as a divinely appointed leader acting responsibly. Instead of immediate judgment or confrontation, Moses offers an opportunity for a hearing. This action showcases both Moses' patience and God's long-suffering character, providing a window for the rebels to reconsider or justify themselves, reflecting a justice that seeks accountability rather than immediate wrath.
• which said, We will not come up: This declaration captures the core of Dathan and Abiram's hardened defiance. It's a blatant rejection of dialogue, authority, and accountability. Their refusal is an explicit challenge to the legitimacy of Moses' leadership, and by extension, God's, thereby pushing them beyond any hope of human intervention or repentance. It highlights their fixed intent to remain in rebellion, irrespective of any offer of discourse or opportunity.

Numbers 16 12 Bonus section

• The stark contrast between Moses' humble, mediating role (seeking reconciliation) and Dathan and Abiram's proud, defiant rejection underscores a recurring theme in the Bible: God raises up humble leaders, but rebellion stems from pride.
• The incident involving Dathan and Abiram is uniquely detailed due to the specific, unprecedented nature of their judgment—being swallowed alive by the earth—which highlights the extreme severity of their sin of open rebellion against God's chosen authority.
• Their phrase "We will not come up" signifies not only a refusal to physically ascend to Moses but a refusal to submit to God's order that required such "ascending" to meet with or approach His representative.
• This act of rebellion and its consequences served as a powerful historical warning, a testament repeated throughout the Old Testament (Deut 11:6, Ps 106:17) and referenced in the New Testament (Jude 1:11) about the dangers of despising God-given authority and seeking one's own way.

Numbers 16 12 Commentary

Numbers 16:12 serves as a pivotal moment, showcasing the absolute insolence of Dathan and Abiram in the face of divinely ordained authority. Moses' act of sending for them was a gracious overture, providing a chance for the rebels to justify themselves, express remorse, or engage in a process of resolution. This extended courtesy reflects God's character, which is patient and longsuffering even in the face of grave offense, offering pathways for repentance before judgment.

However, Dathan and Abiram's immediate and unequivocal refusal—"We will not come up"—reveals the depths of their pride and unrepentant rebellion. This brief statement encapsulates their complete contempt for Moses' leadership, God's established order, and any form of accountability. It was not merely a physical refusal to meet; it was a profound symbolic act of defiance against the divine structure governing Israel. Their hearts were so hardened and their minds so fixed on their grievances that they shut out all possibility of reconciliation or submission, sealing their own catastrophic fate. This verse powerfully illustrates the destructive consequences of an unyielding spirit of rebellion against God's appointed leadership.