Numbers 16 19

Numbers 16:19 kjv

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.

Numbers 16:19 nkjv

And Korah gathered all the congregation against them at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation.

Numbers 16:19 niv

When Korah had gathered all his followers in opposition to them at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire assembly.

Numbers 16:19 esv

Then Korah assembled all the congregation against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation.

Numbers 16:19 nlt

Meanwhile, Korah had stirred up the entire community against Moses and Aaron, and they all gathered at the Tabernacle entrance. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to the whole community,

Numbers 16 verses

Numbers 16 19 Meaning

Numbers 16:19 describes the climax of Korah's rebellion, where he successfully rallied a large portion of the Israelite community, confronting Moses and Aaron directly at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. At this critical juncture, God's majestic presence, referred to as the glory of the LORD, visibly appeared to the entire gathered congregation. This divine manifestation signaled God's imminent intervention and judgment upon the widespread challenge to His established order and His chosen leaders.

Numbers 16 19 Context

Numbers 16:19 is the pivot point in the rebellion instigated by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron. The chapter begins with their challenge, arguing that all the congregation is holy and questioning Moses and Aaron's elevated position. They accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the "assembly of the LORD." Moses then proposes a divine test involving incense offerings before the Tent of Meeting to determine whom God had chosen. Verse 19 describes the rebels' brazen escalation: Korah, through his persuasive influence, successfully gathers the entire community—or a significant, representative portion thereof—at the entrance of the Tabernacle. This act was a direct and public affront to God's authority and the sacredness of His dwelling. In response to this grave act of defiance and disunity, God immediately intervenes by revealing His formidable presence, the "glory of the LORD," making it clear that this was not merely a human dispute but an act of rebellion against God Himself. Historically, this incident served to re-establish the divinely appointed order of leadership within Israel and underscore the holiness and authority inherent in God's presence at the Tabernacle. It provided a stark warning against challenging God's chosen vessels and highlighted the severe consequences of disbelieving His word and despising His authority.

Numbers 16 19 Word analysis

• So Korah: Korah (Hebrew: קֹרַח, Qorakh). A Levite from the Kohathite clan. His status is crucial; while a Levite, he was not of the priestly lineage of Aaron, making his claim to offer incense an illegitimate usurpation of priestly functions (Num 16:10). His action leveraged a genuine grievance of some Levites (Num 16:9-10) but twisted it into rebellion against God's direct appointment.
• gathered: (Hebrew: וַיַּקְהֵל, vayyaqhel). This Hiphil verb signifies causing an assembly to gather. It denotes Korah's intentional and successful rallying of the people. This demonstrates his significant persuasive power and the dangerous vulnerability of the community to deceptive leadership, gathering them for an unlawful purpose rather than for worship or instruction.
• all the congregation: (Hebrew: כָּל־הָעֵדָה, kol-ha‘ēḏāh). Refers to the entire, or a substantial representative portion, of the community of Israel. The term ‘ēḏāh (assembly/community) signifies the divinely structured and covenantal people. That all (or at least a very large, visible segment) of this organized body was successfully turned against its divinely appointed leaders is profoundly alarming and shows the extent of the rebellion's influence.
• against them: Refers directly to Moses and Aaron. This highlights the explicit target of Korah's and the congregation's rebellion, identifying the human instruments of God's authority.
• at the entrance: (Hebrew: אֶל־פֶּתַח, ’el-p̄etaḥ). Lit. "to the opening/doorway." This specific location is highly symbolic. The Tabernacle entrance was the public gate to God's holy dwelling place. It was the designated place for communal worship, sacrifices, and seeking God. To gather here in defiance was an act of profound spiritual rebellion and audacity, a direct challenge to the locus of divine authority.
• of the tent of meeting: (Hebrew: אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, ’ohel mo‘ēḏ). The Tabernacle, Israel's portable sanctuary and the central place of God's presence, worship, and where God "met" with His people, especially Moses. This was the most sacred spot for Israel, representing the direct rule and presence of Yahweh. The act of gathering a rebellious assembly here magnified the offense exponentially, making it an act of sacrilege against the very heart of their faith and the divine presence.
• and the glory of the LORD: (Hebrew: וַיֵּרָא כְּבוֹד־יְהוָה, vayyērā’ keḇoḏ-YHWH). A direct divine manifestation, a theophany. Keḇoḏ YHWH (the glory of Yahweh) represents God's weighty presence, His majesty, power, and holiness, often appearing as a cloud, fire, or brilliant light. Its appearance signifies God's direct intervention, taking matters into His own hands, often for judgment or vindication (Exod 16:10, Num 14:10).
• appeared: (Hebrew: וַיֵּרָא, vayyērā’). Niphal verb, "it was seen," implying a clear, public, and unmistakable manifestation, not just a vague perception. It underscores the undeniable nature of God's intervention.
• to all the congregation: (Hebrew: אֶל־כָּל־הָעֵדָה, ’el-kol-ha‘ēḏāh). Reiterates that the manifestation was witnessed by everyone present. This widespread witnessing was critical for God's purposes, serving to publicly authenticate His choice of Moses and Aaron and to condemn the rebellion, leaving no doubt about the divine origin of the coming judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So Korah gathered all the congregation against them": This phrase sets the stage by identifying the instigator (Korah), the breadth of his influence (all the congregation), and the object of their collective rebellion (Moses and Aaron). It portrays the popular defiance that directly challenged the established, God-ordained authority.
• "at the entrance of the tent of meeting": The precise geographical and spiritual locus of the rebellion is emphasized. This location makes the act far more than a political protest; it becomes an affront against God's presence and His chosen method of governing His people, deliberately violating the sacred space meant for reverence.
• "and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation": This highlights the direct divine response to the rebellion. The public manifestation of God's majestic and formidable presence signifies that God Himself acknowledged the challenge and was about to intervene powerfully and unequivocally. It underscores God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His chosen servants and His own holy order. The universal witnessing ensures that God's actions would be undeniable, leaving no one ignorant of His verdict.

Numbers 16 19 Bonus section

• Polemics: This narrative functions as a strong polemic against contemporary ancient Near Eastern views where political or religious authority might be claimed by ambitious individuals or popular acclaim without divine warrant. It strongly emphasizes the Israelite concept of divinely ordained leadership, directly challenging any notion that leadership (especially cultic/religious) could be seized through human popularism or internal maneuvering. The appearance of God's glory served as an ultimate divine validation, refuting human-centered claims to authority.
• The 'ēḏāh (congregation/assembly): The regular use of this term to denote the entire, covenantally structured people of Israel highlights the severity of the rebellion. It suggests that a significant body of the chosen people were caught up in defiance, emphasizing the profound disunity and spiritual danger they were in, challenging God's authority collectively rather than as isolated individuals.
• Symbolic confrontation: The entire scene at the "Tent of Meeting" created a powerful symbolic confrontation: human will and defiance arrayed against divine sovereignty and holiness at the very boundary between them. The direct, visible manifestation of God's glory transformed a human dispute into a terrifying divine tribunal.

Numbers 16 19 Commentary

Numbers 16:19 marks the immediate prelude to divine judgment against the rebellion led by Korah. The verse captures the sheer audacity of Korah in amassing "all the congregation" at the most sacred point of Israelite life—the very "entrance of the Tent of Meeting." This was not just a dissent but a full-blown spiritual insurrection aimed at God's established authority in Moses and Aaron. Their assembly at the Tabernacle sought to usurp sacred roles and undermine the divinely mandated separation between priest and layperson. This direct challenge at the dwelling place of God Himself prompted an instantaneous divine response: "the glory of the LORD appeared." This visible manifestation of God's majestic and terrifying presence served as an incontrovertible witness to all present, signifying that God was actively involved. It vindicated Moses and Aaron as His chosen servants, simultaneously warning the rebellious congregation of imminent divine reckoning. This profound moment underlined the principle that challenging God's appointed leaders is tantamount to challenging God Himself, whose holiness and order would not tolerate such defiant insubordination without consequence.

• Example for practical usage: When factions rise in a community, accusing leadership without God's explicit guidance, similar spiritual rebellion may be at play.
• Example for practical usage: A vivid public display of God's presence, though rare now, ensures the universal witness of His righteous judgment or vindication, leaving no room for doubt.
• Example for practical usage: The Tabernacle was God's dwelling, not a common gathering place for rebellious protests. Similarly, sacred spaces today are for reverence, not defiance of God's order.