Numbers 16 20

Numbers 16:20 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Numbers 16:20 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,

Numbers 16:20 niv

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Numbers 16:20 esv

And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

Numbers 16:20 nlt

and the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Numbers 16 verses

Numbers 16 20 Meaning

Numbers 16:20 marks a critical turning point in the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Following the manifestation of God's glory in response to the congregation gathering against Moses and Aaron, this verse declares that the LORD initiated direct communication with His two chosen leaders. It signifies divine intervention, God's authoritative endorsement of Moses and Aaron, and the imminent announcement of judgment upon the rebellious assembly, setting the stage for swift divine action.

Numbers 16 20 Context

Numbers chapter 16 describes a major rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with 250 respected leaders, against the established authority of Moses and Aaron. Their core accusation (v.3) was that Moses and Aaron had "exalted themselves" over the LORD's holy congregation, implying that all Israelites were equally holy and therefore equally qualified for leadership. This challenged God's specific appointments of Moses as prophet/leader and Aaron as high priest. Moses initially fell on his face (v.4) and then set a test for the next day, involving incense offerings. The scene intensified (v.19) as Korah gathered the entire congregation against Moses and Aaron at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD unexpectedly appeared. Verse 20 marks the immediate and direct verbal response from God Himself, indicating that the situation has escalated beyond human arbitration and necessitates divine intervention and pronouncements of judgment to maintain His divine order among His people.

Numbers 16 20 Word analysis

• Then the LORD spoke (וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה - Vaydabber YHWH):
  • וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר (Vaydabber): This is a Piel imperfect (with waw-consecutive), which means "and He spoke" or "Then He spoke." The Piel stem emphasizes a deliberate, authoritative, and active utterance, more potent than a simple "say." The immediate waw consecutive connects this act of speaking directly to the previous appearance of the LORD's glory (Num 16:19), indicating an instantaneous divine reaction.
  • יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH): This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God. Its use here highlights that it is the very God who entered into covenant with Israel, who chose Moses and Aaron, and who established their unique roles, now speaking. His intervention is a personal defense of His own decree and authority.
• to Moses and Aaron (אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן - el-Mosheh v'el-Aharon):
  • אֶל־ (el-): This preposition means "to" or "unto," indicating the specific recipients of God's message.
  • מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאַהֲרֹ֖ן (Mosheh v'Aharon): These are the names of the two individuals God specifically addressed. This direct address exclusively to Moses and Aaron, in the immediate aftermath of a rebellion questioning their authority, powerfully validates their divinely appointed roles and utterly refutes the rebels' claims that all were equally qualified.
• saying, (לֵאמֹֽר׃ - le'mor):
  • לֵאמֹֽר (le'mor): This is the infinitive construct of the verb "to say" (amar). It commonly introduces the exact words or the specific content of the divine speech that follows. It underscores the solemn and direct nature of the communication, signalling that what God is about to say is His exact command or declaration.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron: This phrase repeatedly occurs throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., Ex 6:29, Lev 1:1, Num 1:1), serving as a crucial indicator of divine revelation and the specific channel through which God chose to communicate His will to Israel. In this context, it unequivocally re-establishes Moses and Aaron's legitimacy despite the formidable opposition. The shift from the glory appearing (v.19) to God speaking reinforces that His presence is not merely awe-inspiring but prelude to direct action and clear instruction.
• saying: This word, functioning as an introduction to direct discourse, ensures that the subsequent command (to separate from the congregation) is understood as originating directly from the LORD's mouth, carrying His ultimate authority and justifying the severe measures to follow.

Numbers 16 20 Bonus section

The speed with which the divine glory appeared and the LORD spoke signifies the immense gravity of Korah's rebellion in God's eyes. It was not merely a challenge to Moses and Aaron's leadership, but a direct affront to God's own choice and authority, hence the swift and decisive divine intervention. This specific phrase "Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying" highlights God's unwavering consistency in His communication channel even when faced with profound apostasy from the wider community. It reiterates that God's ways are steadfast and that He does not shift His allegiance from those He has chosen and sanctified for service.

Numbers 16 20 Commentary

Numbers 16:20 serves as the divine inflection point in the narrative of Korah's rebellion. The sudden appearance of the LORD's glory (v.19) had set the stage, creating an atmosphere of awe and fear. Immediately after, God speaks—not to the rebellious multitude, but directly and exclusively to Moses and Aaron. This action inherently vindicates His chosen leaders, affirming their unique standing and authority in His eyes, countering every accusation launched by the rebels. God's act of speaking is an active and decisive response to the crisis, signifying that He has judged the heart of the rebellion and is now ready to enact His justice. The use of His personal covenant name, YHWH, reinforces that this is a direct, personal intervention from the one who established Israel's order. This verse dramatically transitions the story from escalating human defiance to sovereign divine judgment, underscoring the extreme seriousness with which God views challenges to His appointed leadership and the order He institutes among His people. This underscores the principle that obedience to God often manifests through respect for the authorities He has placed.