Numbers 16 42

Numbers 16:42 kjv

And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.

Numbers 16:42 nkjv

Now it happened, when the congregation had gathered against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tabernacle of meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.

Numbers 16:42 niv

But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared.

Numbers 16:42 esv

And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.

Numbers 16:42 nlt

As the community gathered to protest against Moses and Aaron, they turned toward the Tabernacle and saw that the cloud had covered it, and the glorious presence of the LORD appeared.

Numbers 16 verses

Numbers 16 42 Meaning

Numbers 16:42 describes the immediate aftermath of the previous divine judgments against Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their followers. Despite seeing the earth swallow the rebels and fire consume the 250 incense-offerers, the entire congregation of Israel stubbornly gathered against Moses and Aaron. As they faced the Tent of Meeting in defiance or expectation, God's immediate response was revealed: the pillar of cloud, signifying His presence, enveloped the Tent, and the majestic glory of the LORD, representing His active and fearsome presence, conspicuously appeared to all. This manifestation foreshadowed imminent divine judgment upon the unrepentant assembly.

Numbers 16 42 Context

Numbers chapter 16 chronicles one of the most severe rebellions in Israel's wilderness journey. It begins with Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben, challenging Moses' and Aaron's divinely appointed leadership and priestly authority (vv. 1-3). They questioned Moses' sole authority and Aaron's exclusive priesthood, claiming the whole congregation was holy and therefore capable of mediating with God. God swiftly intervened with overwhelming judgment: the earth opened and swallowed Korah's household and possessions, and fire consumed the 250 men who presumed to offer incense (vv. 31-35). Immediately following this, Numbers 16:41 describes the unrepentant nature of the Israelites. Despite witnessing these awe-inspiring and terrifying acts of God's wrath, "all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, 'You have killed the people of the LORD.'" This verse (16:42) then sets the scene for God's further punitive action against the ungrateful and rebellious nation, as His glory appears to directly address their renewed defiance.

Numbers 16 42 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִ֕י - vay'hi): This Hebrew conjunction typically marks the continuation of a narrative sequence, indicating a new development or consequence. Here, it underscores the immediate transition from one event (the prior judgments and the people's grumbling) to the next significant action by God.
• when the congregation was gathered (בְּהִקָּהֵל֩ הָעֵדָ֨ה - behīqqāhēl hā‘ēdāh):
  • congregation (הָעֵדָ֨ה - hā‘ēdāh): Refers to the collective assembly of Israel. This term implies an organized body, here acting in a united, rebellious front. Its use highlights the corporate nature of their sin.
  • gathered (בְּהִקָּהֵל֩ - behīqqāhēl): From the root qahal, meaning "to assemble, gather." This particular form emphasizes that the assembly was deliberate, a concerted effort of the entire people, reinforcing the gravity of their corporate rebellion. They were actively choosing to mass together in opposition.
• against Moses and Aaron (עַל־מֹשֶׁה֙ וְעַל־אַהֲרֹ֔ן - ‘al-Mosheh wᵉ‘al-Aharon): The preposition ‘al ("against") clearly denotes hostile opposition. This public defiance of God's chosen leaders was an implicit defiance of God Himself, a replaying of their initial rebellion.
• that they looked (וַיִּפְנ֖וּ - wayyiphnu): From the root pānah, "to turn, to face, to direct oneself toward." This suggests a deliberate action, a collective gaze. Their turning toward the Tent of Meeting could be interpreted as a defiant gesture, a challenge to where God's presence resided, or an expectant turn for a divine response to their grumbling.
• toward the Tent of Meeting (אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד - ’el-’ohel mô‘ēd): This is the Tabernacle, the central place of God's presence, worship, and where He met with Moses. Facing it indicates they were directing their grievances, perhaps unwittingly, directly at God. It’s where they expected divine intervention, whether for them or against them.
• and behold (וְהִנֵּה֙ - wᵉhinnēh): An interjection used to draw attention to something sudden, striking, or significant. It highlights the dramatic immediacy and divine agency of what follows.
• the cloud covered it (כִּסָּהוּ֙ הֶעָנָ֔ן - kīssāhû he‘ānān):
  • cloud (הֶעָנָ֔ן - he‘ānān): The divinely manifested pillar of cloud that had guided and accompanied Israel since the Exodus (Exod 13:21). It symbolized God's protective presence, His glory, and sometimes the harbinger of judgment. Its movement indicated God's intention.
  • covered it (כִּסָּהוּ֙ - kīssāhû): Meaning "to cover, conceal, overshadow." Here, it signifies the cloud enveloping or filling the Tabernacle, reinforcing the density and immediate presence of God. This action signals God's direct intervention.
• and the glory of the LORD appeared (וַיֵּרָ֖א כְּב֥וֹד יְהוָֽה - wayyērā’ kᵉvôd Yahweh):
  • glory of the LORD (כְּב֥וֹד יְהוָֽה - kᵉvôd Yahweh): Kavod (glory) refers to God's manifested presence, splendor, majesty, power, and holiness. When Yahweh's glory appears, it often signifies an impending direct divine action, either of salvation or, as here, of judgment. Its visible appearance underscored the gravity of the situation and the fact that God Himself was intervening.
  • appeared (וַיֵּרָ֖א - wayyērā’): From the root rā’âh, "to see, appear." It highlights the visible and undeniable manifestation of God's presence to the assembled people.

Words-group analysis:

• "When the congregation was gathered against Moses and Aaron": This phrase underlines the persistent defiance and collective unteachability of the Israelites. Despite witnessing God's clear judgments for similar acts in the same chapter, their rebellion quickly reignites, pointing to a deep-seated spiritual issue, an inability to connect cause and effect in God's discipline.
• "They looked toward the Tent of Meeting, and behold, the cloud covered it": The congregation turns towards the symbolic dwelling of God's presence, perhaps in challenge. The sudden and unmistakable response is the cloud covering the Tent, signifying God's direct attention and impending action. It's a clear demonstration that God is not absent or passive in their rebellion.
• "And the glory of the LORD appeared": This is the climax of God's initial manifestation in this verse. The "glory" signifies God's personal and majestic involvement. Its appearance invariably signals a pivotal moment of divine revelation, often preceding a significant display of divine power, whether for judgment or deliverance. In this context, given the prior events and the people's grumbling, it clearly presaged wrath.

Numbers 16 42 Bonus section

The repeated manifestations of the "glory of the LORD" throughout the book of Numbers (and the Pentateuch) often precede moments of significant divine revelation, judgment, or blessing. In this chapter, its appearance after profound corporate sin underscores God's active involvement in the moral landscape of His people. It teaches that God is not an absent deity, but one who directly engages with human sin and faith. The contrast between the immediate and clear divine judgment and the people's stubborn refusal to learn is a stark example of the hardening of hearts due to unbelief and murmuring. This passage emphasizes the grave seriousness of rebelling against divinely instituted authority, as it is ultimately an affront to God Himself.

Numbers 16 42 Commentary

Numbers 16:42 encapsulates a profound theological truth about God's nature and the consequences of sin. Following God's explicit and visible judgment on Korah and his company, one might expect repentance from the congregation. Instead, their hardened hearts led them to immediately accuse Moses and Aaron of murder, directly challenging God's hand in the previous judgment. Their defiant gathering against God's chosen leaders was, in essence, a rebellion against God Himself.

The divine response is swift and visible. The "cloud," a constant symbol of God's dwelling and guidance for Israel, envelops the Tabernacle, signifying God's intimate presence and preparation for direct engagement. The dramatic appearance of "the glory of the LORD" then signifies His active manifestation, indicating that a significant divine intervention is imminent. This is not merely a symbolic act but a clear demonstration of God's unyielding commitment to uphold His own authority and to protect His appointed servants, even if it requires severe judgment. The glory that normally signified divine presence and covenant faithfulness here takes on a formidable character, signaling impending wrath for persistent, corporate rebellion. This event sets the stage for the plague that immediately follows, demonstrating God's readiness to protect His holiness and the order He established among His people.