Numbers 16:27 kjv
So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
Numbers 16:27 nkjv
So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little children.
Numbers 16:27 niv
So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children and little ones at the entrances to their tents.
Numbers 16:27 esv
So they got away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, together with their wives, their sons, and their little ones.
Numbers 16:27 nlt
So all the people stood back from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Then Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the entrances of their tents, together with their wives and children and little ones.
Numbers 16 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 11:6 | ...how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their households... | The Lord's judgment on Dathan and Abiram. |
| Ps 106:17-18 | The earth opened and swallowed Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. | Echoes the judgment on the rebels. |
| Jude 1:11 | ...and perished in the rebellion of Korah. | New Testament warning against rebellion. |
| Rev 18:4 | "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins..." | Divine call to separate from impending judgment. |
| Gen 19:15-17 | Lot... and his wife and his two daughters from the city, lest you be swept... | Urgent command to flee from impending destruction. |
| Ex 32:26-27 | "Who is on the Lord's side? Come to me!" | Call for clear alignment in a crisis. |
| 1 Cor 10:11 | Now these things happened to them as an example... | Old Testament events as warnings for believers. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Principle of defiant pride leading to ruin. |
| Prov 29:1 | He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken... | Warning against stubborn defiance. |
| Rom 1:32 | ...know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die... | Consequence of sin and rebellion. |
| 2 Cor 6:17 | "Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord..." | Command for spiritual separation. |
| Isa 5:14 | Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure... | Metaphor for the earth's swallowing. |
| Num 26:10 | ...and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them... | Another reference to the fate of the rebels. |
| Josh 22:17-20 | ...did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the devoted thing... | Corporate consequence of an individual's sin. |
| Heb 10:31 | It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. | Acknowledging the dreadfulness of divine judgment. |
| Ezek 9:4 | ...and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan... | Divine distinguishing between righteous and wicked before judgment. |
| Job 27:7-8 | Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous. | Consequence for enemies of God's chosen. |
| Jer 51:45 | "Go out of the midst of her, my people! Let every one save his life..." | Similar divine warning for separation from impending judgment. |
| John 10:27 | My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. | Prompt obedience to the Shepherd's voice. |
| 1 Pet 2:13 | Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution... | Principle of submitting to established authority. |
| Deut 5:29 | Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me... | God desires obedience from His people. |
Numbers 16 verses
Numbers 16 27 Meaning
Numbers 16:27 describes the swift obedience of the congregation as they heeded Moses' divine warning to separate themselves from the tents and sphere of influence of the rebels, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. It contrasts this with the defiant posture of Dathan and Abiram, who, along with their entire families, chose to remain stubbornly in front of their tents, seemingly challenging God's authority and judgment.
Numbers 16 27 Context
Numbers chapter 16 records the formidable rebellion against Moses and Aaron's leadership. Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben, challenged God's divinely appointed authority in both spiritual (priesthood) and civil (leadership of Moses) matters. Korah gathered 250 prominent men, asserting that all the congregation were holy and had a right to approach God. Dathan and Abiram, in their defiance, refused Moses' summons to "come up," questioning his authority and accusing him of not bringing them to a land flowing with milk and honey. Moses, having warned the people to separate themselves to avoid sharing in the rebels' sin and judgment, sets the stage for God's impending and terrifying demonstration of His wrath. Verse 27 captures the immediate aftermath of Moses' warning, highlighting the quick response of the faithful versus the rigid, self-assured defiance of the rebels and their families.
Numbers 16 27 Word analysis
- So they went up (וַיַּעֲלוּ - vayya'alu): The verb 'went up' here indicates a decisive movement away from. It denotes physical separation and ascent, signifying the people's quick and complete obedience to Moses' warning to "get away" (Num 16:26). It implies a removal from the sphere of influence and the associated danger.
- from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram: The word "tabernacle" (מִשְׁכַּן - mishkan) typically refers to the Tent of Meeting. Here, it is used more broadly to signify the dwelling-place, encampment, or collective sphere of influence of the rebels. Korah, a Levite, and Dathan and Abiram, Reubenites, would not have shared a literal "tabernacle" like the singular Mishkan of the Lord. Instead, this phrase encompasses their combined rebel faction and the area of their tents within the tribal encampments, which were separate. It represents their corporate identity in rebellion.
- on every side: Emphasizes the completeness and urgency of the separation. It was a thorough removal from all points surrounding the rebels. The people took the warning seriously and left no part of the surrounding area unvacated, preventing any proximity to the impending divine judgment.
- and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood: This describes a deliberate and defiant action. "Came out" (וַיֵּצְאוּ - vayyetze'u) signifies leaving their tents. "Stood" (וַיִּתְיַצְּבוּ - vayyityatzvu) conveys a posture of fixed, resolute opposition, not one of fearful flight. They were not merely present; they had taken a public stand of challenge, choosing confrontation over repentance or submission.
- at the door of their tents: This detail underscores their stubbornness and public defiance. It implies they were visible and resolute, rejecting any last chance for separation. Their position right at the threshold signifies a hardened heart and a direct challenge to the authority of God, expressed through Moses.
- with their wives, their sons, and their little children (נְשֵׁיהֶם וּבְנֵיהֶם וְטַפָּם - nesheihem uveneihem vetappam): The tragic and chilling inclusion of the entire family unit. "Little children" (tap) emphasizes the youngest, most vulnerable members. This highlights the severity of the rebellion and God's corporate judgment on an entire household, where families were held accountable for the collective spiritual alignment and actions of the head. It underscores the profound consequences of associating with those in direct rebellion against the Lord, extending even to the innocent. This serves as a stark warning about the implications of one's decisions in the covenant community.
Numbers 16 27 Bonus section
The contrast between the rebels' refusal to "come up" to Moses (Num 16:12, Dathan and Abiram's insolent reply) and the congregation's immediate action to "went up from" (Num 16:27) the rebels' encampment is a significant literary and theological point. The former indicates a rejection of Moses' authority and a defiance of his summons, while the latter shows the people's humble submission to that very same authority, understanding it to be from God. This duality of "coming up" vividly demonstrates two opposing attitudes towards divine command, leading to vastly different outcomes. The narrative effectively vindicates Moses as God's true messenger and highlights God's swift and terrifying defense of His chosen leadership.
Numbers 16 27 Commentary
Numbers 16:27 powerfully illustrates a moment of decisive choice and contrasting responses in the face of divine warning. On one hand, the general populace demonstrates immediate obedience to Moses' instruction, embodying the critical spiritual principle of separation from evil. Their rapid retreat "on every side" underscores the fear of God and the recognition of His coming judgment. This reflects the importance of discerning the Lord's voice through His appointed servants and acting swiftly upon it.
On the other hand, Dathan and Abiram, whose rebellion was rooted in a challenge to Moses' God-given civil authority, exhibit hardened defiance. Their act of "standing at the door of their tents" is not merely passive presence but an active posture of public confrontation and refusal to yield. This highlights the perilous nature of unrepentant pride and stubborn resistance to divine order. Their decision to remain, along with their entire households – wives, sons, and even innocent "little children" – paints a tragic picture of how one's leadership and moral choices can fatally bind an entire family to their consequences. This severe judgment, covering even the seemingly innocent, serves as a sobering reminder of the holistic nature of covenant life in ancient Israel and the profound ripple effects of sin against God and His established authority. The verse, therefore, emphasizes the wisdom of obedience and separation, and the dire results of rebellion and self-willed stubbornness.