Numbers 16 5

Numbers 16:5 kjv

And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will show who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

Numbers 16:5 nkjv

and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him. That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him.

Numbers 16:5 niv

Then he said to Korah and all his followers: "In the morning the LORD will show who belongs to him and who is holy, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses he will cause to come near him.

Numbers 16:5 esv

and he said to Korah and all his company, "In the morning the LORD will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him.

Numbers 16:5 nlt

Then he said to Korah and his followers, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show us who belongs to him and who is holy. The LORD will allow only those whom he selects to enter his own presence.

Numbers 16 verses

Numbers 16 5 Meaning

Numbers 16:5 declares that God Himself will undeniably demonstrate who truly belongs to Him and who is set apart for His sacred service. This demonstration will establish the legitimacy of His chosen ones, allowing them exclusive access to His presence and authority for priestly duties, thereby resolving the challenge to His divinely appointed leadership.

Numbers 16 5 Context

Numbers chapter 16 begins with Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On from the tribe of Reuben, and 250 prominent leaders from the congregation, openly rebelling against the leadership of Moses and the priesthood of Aaron. Their core accusation (Num 16:3) is that Moses and Aaron have overstepped their authority, given that "all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them." This implies a democratic ideal that all Israelites are equally qualified for priestly service, thereby rejecting the unique, divinely ordained Aaronic priesthood and Moses' divinely appointed leadership.

Moses, distressed but also certain of God's ways, responds in verse 5 by deferring the matter directly to the Lord. He proposes a specific test, inviting the rebellious group to offer incense – an act reserved exclusively for priests – the following morning. The historical context involves Israel in the wilderness after receiving the law and tabernacle instructions at Sinai. The specific roles for the Levites (supporting tabernacle service) and the priests (descendants of Aaron, directly serving in the Holy Place and offering sacrifices) had been meticulously laid out, making Korah's rebellion a direct challenge to God's established order.

Numbers 16 5 Word analysis

• And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying,: Moses directly confronts the rebellion, making a public declaration, underscoring the high stakes and the divine nature of the upcoming resolution.
• Even to morrow (machar): Indicates a specific and immediate timeframe. This imparts urgency and anticipation for a definitive, divine resolution rather than a drawn-out human deliberation, signaling God's imminent intervention.
• the Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): The personal, covenantal name of God. Emphasizing YHWH asserts that the dispute is not against human leaders, but against God Himself, who alone has the authority to establish the covenant and its regulations, including priestly order.
• will shew (יָדַע, yada): To know, or cause to know experientially. This implies an undeniable demonstration, a public revelation or vindication by God, which will leave no doubt about His chosen ones.
• who are his (אֲשֶׁר לוֹ, asher lo): Literally "who belongs to Him." This speaks to divine ownership and intimate connection, indicating those whom God recognizes as truly dedicated to Him, not merely those who claim allegiance.
• and who is holy (וְאֶת־הַקָּדֹשׁ, w'et-haqadosh): "And the holy one." Holiness (qadosh) here signifies not just general purity but specific consecration and separation for divine service, particularly in the cultic, priestly sense. This directly counters Korah's generalized claim of holiness for the whole congregation, clarifying that the dispute is about the specific holiness required for sacerdotal office.
• and will cause him to come near unto him (וְהִקְרִיב אֵלָיו, w'hiqriv elav): From qarab, to draw near or approach. This phrase is a technical term for priestly access to God's presence, signifying authorization to perform sacred duties in the tabernacle. It represents a privilege of divine approval, not a general right.
• even him whom he hath chosen (אֵת אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר־בּוֹ, et asher yivchar-bo): "The one whom He will choose for Himself." Bachar (בָּחַר) signifies God's sovereign and deliberate selection. This highlights that leadership and sacred service are not inherited rights, human elections, or self-assertions, but flow purely from God's personal and ultimate choice.
• him will he cause to come near unto him.: The repetition strongly emphasizes that only those divinely selected will be granted access to perform sacred service. It reinforces the exclusivity and divine source of priestly authority, directly addressing and negating the claims of Korah and his company.

Numbers 16 5 Bonus section

The controversy initiated by Korah sought to blur the distinct lines between the general holiness of the congregation of Israel (Ex 19:6, all consecrated to God) and the specific, official holiness required for Aaronic priestly service. Moses’ response precisely addresses this by distinguishing "who are his" (a general sense of belonging to God) from "who is holy" in the context of exclusive sacred function. This prefigures the New Testament distinction between the universal priesthood of all believers (1 Pet 2:9) and the specific, gifted roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers for building up the body (Eph 4:11-12). Moses' reliance on YHWH and the call for the very action that represented the priests' unique role (incense offering) set the stage for God's undeniable judgment, confirming His chosen order.

Numbers 16 5 Commentary

Numbers 16:5 encapsulates the divine response to human rebellion against established spiritual authority. Moses' declaration shifts the entire debate from a human power struggle to a direct appeal to God's ultimate sovereignty. The core theological truth conveyed is that true belonging to God and the sacred qualification for drawing near to Him in service are entirely determined by divine choice, not human ambition, lineage alone, or collective democratic vote. The emphasis on "tomorrow" signifies an imminent and unmistakable supernatural vindication of God's appointed leaders and a clear demarcation of sacred roles. This verse serves as a perpetual warning against usurping God's ordained authority and presuming qualifications for ministry not granted by divine election. It underlines that access to God’s holy presence and service in His name is a sacred privilege bestowed by His sovereign will, demanding humble obedience rather than arrogant challenge.

• Example: This principle reminds us that positions of spiritual leadership in the Church are vocations from God, requiring His call and enablement, not merely human aspirations or qualifications.
• Example: It teaches humility in service, knowing that any spiritual giftedness or authority we possess comes from God, empowering us for His purposes, not for personal gain or glory.