Numbers 16:2 kjv
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:
Numbers 16:2 nkjv
and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown.
Numbers 16:2 niv
and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.
Numbers 16:2 esv
And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men.
Numbers 16:2 nlt
They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly.
Numbers 16 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 26:9-10 | The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram...they contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah... | Records Korah's rebellion, judgment. |
| Num 12:1-10 | Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married...the anger of the Lord was kindled against them. | Rebelling against Moses' leadership. |
| Jude 1:11 | Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and erred in the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. | Core (Korah) as an example of rebellion. |
| Ps 106:16-18 | They angered the Lord also at the waters of Meribah, and went to war with Korah, and were swallowed by the earth... | Recounts Korah's rebellion and judgment. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Principle of pride leading to downfall. |
| 2 Sam 15:10-12 | But Absalom sent secret messengers...Absalom also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor... | High-status men joining rebellion. |
| 1 Ki 12:1-19 | Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute, but all Israel stoned him... | Rebellious assembly opposing royal authority. |
| Neh 9:16-17 | "But they and our fathers dealt proudly and stiffened their neck...and would not obey Your commandments." | Stubborn pride and disobedience to God. |
| Isa 3:4-5 | "And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them...The child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable." | Society's leaders causing unrest/rebellion. |
| 1 Cor 10:11 | Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition... | Old Testament examples for our warning. |
| Rom 13:1-2 | Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers...whoever resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God... | God-ordained authority. |
| Heb 5:4 | And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as Aaron was. | Divine appointment for priesthood. |
| 1 Pet 2:9-10 | But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation... | Contrast of a truly called spiritual "assembly." |
| Exod 32:7-8 | And the Lord said unto Moses, "Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves..." | People quickly turn from God-appointed ways. |
| Ps 78:40-41 | How oft did they provoke Him in the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert! | Israel's history of rebellion. |
| Jer 7:25-26 | Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt even unto this day I have sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; Yet they hearkened not... | Persistent rejection of God's messengers. |
| Matt 23:8-12 | But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. | Humility over seeking titles/renown. |
| 3 John 1:9-10 | I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not... | Example of someone seeking preeminence. |
| 1 Tim 3:6 | Not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. | Danger of pride in leadership. |
| Prov 29:23 | A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. | Pride leading to humiliation. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus saith the LORD, "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me..." | True renown comes from knowing God. |
| Isa 14:12-15 | "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! ... For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God..." | Pride as the root of rebellion (Satan). |
Numbers 16 verses
Numbers 16 2 Meaning
Numbers 16:2 describes the prominent men who instigated and joined the rebellion against Moses and Aaron. It highlights their high status, indicating they were not ordinary individuals but influential leaders within the Israelite community, formally recognized and respected. This emphasis on their renown underscores the serious nature of their defiance against God-ordained authority.
Numbers 16 2 Context
Numbers chapter 16 unfolds the dramatic narrative of Korah's rebellion. This incident follows closely on the heels of the disheartening events at Kadesh-Barnea (Num 13-14), where the Israelites' disbelief led to a decree of 40 years of wandering in the wilderness and a ban on the current generation entering the Promised Land. Amidst this backdrop of punishment and ongoing divine patience, the rebellion emerges. The immediate preceding chapters (Num 15) lay out laws for offerings and priestly duties, emphasizing the divine order Moses and Aaron represent. Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On from the tribe of Reuben, gathers a significant number of influential leaders to challenge Moses' authority and Aaron's priesthood. Verse 2 specifically identifies the influential nature of 250 of these leaders, highlighting that this was not merely an outburst from common people, but a calculated uprising by respected figures, lending weight and perceived legitimacy to their cause in the eyes of the people. This act represents a direct assault on the God-instituted structure of leadership, threatening to dismantle the divine order established for Israel's journey and worship.
Numbers 16 2 Word analysis
- And they rose up (וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ - vayyāqūmū): The verb "to rise" or "to stand up" (קוּם - qum) here carries a sense of active opposition and defiance. It signifies a public posture of rebellion and confrontation, not merely physically standing, but taking a stand against Moses and Aaron. It implies an aggressive challenging of authority.
- before Moses (עַל־פְּנֵ֤י מֹשֶׁה֙ - ʿal-pěnê Mošeh): Literally "upon the face of Moses" or "in the presence of Moses." This preposition ʿal often denotes opposition or aggression, emphasizing that their uprising was a direct, confrontational challenge to Moses' leadership, rather than a hidden plot.
- with certain of the children of Israel: This indicates a selection or specific group among the wider community. It was not a spontaneous uprising of all, but a faction that had rallied around these particular leaders.
- two hundred and fifty princes (מָאתַ֙יִם וַחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים נְשִׂיאֵי֙ - māṯayim waḥamiššîm nesi’ê):
- Princes (נְשִׂיאֵי - nesi’ei, plural of נָשִׂיא - nāśî’): This term refers to tribal chieftains, heads of clans, or significant leaders of the people. It denotes an exalted status and considerable influence within their respective tribes or families. These were men with inherent authority and following.
- of the assembly (עֵדָ֖ה - ʿēdâ): Refers to the whole congregation or community of Israel. It was the formal assembly of the Lord's people. Being "princes of the assembly" means they were leaders recognized by and within the entire Israelite community. This rebellion therefore challenged the entire organized structure of Israel.
- famous in the congregation (קְרוּאֵ֣י מוֹעֵד - qərûʾê môʿēd):
- Famous / called (קְרוּאֵ֣י - qerûʾei, passive participle of קָרָא - qārāʾ "to call"): Signifies that they were well-known, possibly "men called to meeting" or "men called by name." It suggests they were appointed or designated for public roles, possibly participants in council meetings or official gatherings at the Tent of Meeting, making their public standing even more pronounced.
- Congregation (מוֹעֵד - môʿēd): Literally "appointed time" or "appointed place," often referring to the Tent of Meeting. This implies they were recognized, possibly selected, and habitually participated in the public and sacred affairs of the Israelite community, thereby having significant authority and experience.
- men of renown (אַנְשֵׁי־שֵֽׁם - ʾanšê-šēm): Literally "men of name." This idiomatic expression signifies individuals with great reputation, distinction, and influence. They were prominent figures, highly respected, and held sway over the opinions and actions of others. Their rebellion thus carried significant weight due to their esteemed position.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel": This phrase introduces the confrontational nature of the rebellion and its broad basis among "certain" – key individuals – from the wider Israelite community. It was a targeted, deliberate act, not an accidental clash.
- "two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown": This cumulative description powerfully conveys the high rank, public recognition, and significant influence of the rebel leaders. Each descriptor reinforces their esteemed status, underscoring that this was not a rebellion of fringe elements, but of central, respected figures whose actions threatened the very fabric of Israel's divinely ordered society. Their elevated position magnified the severity and potential impact of their defiance. The language highlights their perceived legitimacy by the people, making their challenge even more insidious and dangerous to God's chosen leadership.
Numbers 16 2 Bonus section
The emphasis on the status of these rebels is not merely for narrative flair but serves a crucial theological purpose. It contrasts worldly recognition with divine appointment. By detailing their human greatness ("famous," "men of renown"), the text implicitly condemns their misuse of their God-given influence and talent. Their high position did not grant them higher spiritual authority or immunity from divine judgment, but rather increased their accountability and the severity of their downfall. This section also implicitly warns against spiritual ambition that is not rooted in God's calling, showcasing the dangers of leaders succumbing to envy and desiring a glory not meant for them. The 250 princes joining Korah and the Reubenites highlights the inter-tribal and levitical nature of the rebellion, indicating a broad-based, multi-faceted opposition.
Numbers 16 2 Commentary
Numbers 16:2 sets the stage for one of the most severe challenges to divine authority in Israel's wilderness journey. The verse is meticulously phrased to emphasize the status and influence of the rebels, thereby magnifying the gravity of their sin. It was not a random mob, but 250 'princes,' 'famous,' and 'men of renown' – leaders who commanded respect and held official roles within the 'assembly' and 'congregation.' This meticulous detail communicates that the rebellion was orchestrated, deeply rooted in the established power structures, and thus posed a far greater threat to God's divine order than previous murmuring. Their "renown" meant they could easily sway the public. Their participation reveals a deep-seated pride and ambition, a desire for preeminence and a challenge to the exclusive, divinely appointed roles of Moses and Aaron. Their actions stemmed from a human inclination to elevate self and contest God's clear designations, believing their own prominence gave them the right to challenge spiritual authority. This highlights a critical lesson: leadership, human acclaim, or perceived competence are insufficient grounds for assuming roles not divinely ordained. True spiritual authority comes from God's call, not human election or status.