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Sunday, July 6th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Christian Standard Bible ®

Numbers 16:9

Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelite community to bring you near to himself, to perform the work at the Lord’s tabernacle, and to stand before the community to minister to them?

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Aaron;   Ambition;   Conspiracy;   Dathan;   Ingratitude;   Israel;   Levites;   Meekness;   Minister, Christian;   Moses;   Murmuring;   Reproof;   Treason;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Desert, Journey of Israel through the;   Levites, the;   Priests;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Abiram;   Dathan;   Earthquake;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Incense;   Korah;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - God, Names of;   Leadership;   Levite;   Priest, Christ as;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Abiram;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Dathan;   Korah;   Priest;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Aaron's Rod;   Assir;   Election;   Levites;   Uzzia(h);   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Aaron's Rod;   Deuteronomy;   Government;   Hexateuch;   Kadesh;   Kohath, Kohathites;   Numbers, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Minister, Ministration;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Censer;   Dathan ;   Korah;   Moses ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Korah;   Samuel;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Brazen Serpent;   Government of the Hebrews;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - On to Canaan;   Moses, the Man of God;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Korah;   Moses;   Pentateuch;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Levi ;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
[seems it but] a small thing to you, that the God of Yisra'el has separated you from the congregation of Yisra'el, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tent of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
King James Version
Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord , and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
Lexham English Bible
Is it too little for you that the God of Israel set you apart from the community of Israel to allow you to approach him to do the work of the tabernacle of Yahweh, to stand before the community to serve them?
New Century Version
The God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelites. He brought you near to himself to do the work in the Lord 's Holy Tent and to stand before all the Israelites and serve them. Isn't that enough?
New English Translation
Does it seem too small a thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the community of Israel to bring you near to himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of the Lord , and to stand before the community to minister to them?
Amplified Bible
does it seem but a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
New American Standard Bible
Is it too small an honor for you that the God of Israel has singled you out from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
Geneva Bible (1587)
Seemeth it a smal thing vnto you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the multitude of Israel, to take you neere to himselfe, to doe the seruice of the Tabernacle of the Lord, & to stand before the Congregation and to minister vnto them?
Legacy Standard Bible
is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to perform the service of the tabernacle of Yahweh, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
Complete Jewish Bible
Is it for you a mere trifle that the God of Isra'el has separated you from the community of Isra'el to bring you close to himself, so that you can do the work in the tabernacle of Adonai and stand before the community serving them?
Darby Translation
Is it too little for you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the assembly of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the work of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the assembly to minister to them?
Easy-to-Read Version
You should be happy that the God of Israel chose you to be different from the rest of the Israelites. He lets you come near to him to do the special work in the Lord 's Holy Tent to help the Israelites worship him. Isn't that enough?
English Standard Version
is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them,
George Lamsa Translation
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the whole congregation of Israel and brought you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
Good News Translation
Do you consider it a small matter that the God of Israel has set you apart from the rest of the community, so that you can approach him, perform your service in the Lord 's Tent, and minister to the community and serve them?
Literal Translation
is it but a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
it not ynough vnto you, yt ye God of Israel hath separated you fro ye multitude of Israel, yt ye shulde come nye him, to do the seruyce of the dwellynge place of the LORDE, and stonde before the people to mynister vnto them?
American Standard Version
seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them;
Bible in Basic English
Does it seem only a small thing to you that the God of Israel has made you separate from the rest of Israel, letting you come near himself to do the work of the House of the Lord, and to take your place before the people to do what has to be done for them;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Seemeth it but a small thyng vnto you, that the God of Israel hath seperated you from the multitude of Israel, and brought you to hym selfe, to do the seruice of the tabernacle of the Lorde, and to stande before the multitude, and to minister vnto them?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
is it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them;
King James Version (1611)
Seemeth it but a small thing vnto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the Congregation of Israel, to bring you neere to himselfe, to doe the seruice of the Tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the Congregation to minister vnto them?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Is it a little thing for you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, and brought you near to himself to minister in the services of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the tabernacle to minister for them?
English Revised Version
seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself; to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them;
Berean Standard Bible
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD's tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Whether it is litil to you, that God of Israel departide you fro al the puple, and ioynede you to hym silf, that ye schulden serue hym in the seruyce of tabernacle, and that ye schulden stonde bifor the multitude of puple, and schulden serue hym?
Young's Literal Translation
is it little to you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the company of Israel to bring you near unto Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the company to serve them? --
Update Bible Version
[does it seem but] a small thing to you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Yahweh, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
Webster's Bible Translation
[Seemeth it but] a small thing to you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
World English Bible
[seems it but] a small thing to you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tent of Yahweh, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
New King James Version
Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to serve them;
New Living Translation
Does it seem insignificant to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the community of Israel to be near him so you can serve in the Lord 's Tabernacle and stand before the people to minister to them?
New Life Bible
Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has set you apart from the rest of the people of Israel? He has brought you near to Himself. He has you do the work around the meeting tent of the Lord. And He has you stand in front of the people to care for them.
New Revised Standard
Is it too little for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to allow you to approach him in order to perform the duties of the Lord 's tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation and serve them?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the assembly of Israel, to bring you near unto himself, - to do the laborious work of the habitation of Yahweh, and to stand before the assembly, to wait upon them?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Is it a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath spared you from all the people, and joined you to himself, that you should serve him in the service of the tabernacle, and should stand before the congregation of the people, and should minister to him?
Revised Standard Version
is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
New American Standard Bible (1995)
is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;

Contextual Overview

1Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took 2two hundred and fifty prominent Israelite men who were leaders of the community and representatives in the assembly, and they rebelled against Moses. 3They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have gone too far! Everyone in the entire community is holy, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” 4When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. 5Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will reveal who belongs to him, who is set apart, and the one he will let come near him. He will let the one he chooses come near him. 6Korah, you and all your followers are to do this: take firepans, and tomorrow 7place fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord. Then the man the Lord chooses will be the one who is set apart. It is you Levites who have gone too far!” 8Moses also told Korah, “Now listen, Levites! 9Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelite community to bring you near to himself, to perform the work at the Lord’s tabernacle, and to stand before the community to minister to them? 10He has brought you near, and all your fellow Levites who are with you, but you are pursuing the priesthood as well.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Seemeth it but: Numbers 16:13, Genesis 30:15, 1 Samuel 18:23, 2 Samuel 7:19, Isaiah 7:13, Ezekiel 34:18, 1 Corinthians 4:3

separated: Numbers 1:53, Numbers 3:41-45, Numbers 8:14-16, Numbers 18:2-6, Deuteronomy 10:8, 2 Chronicles 35:3, Nehemiah 12:44, Ezekiel 44:10, Ezekiel 44:11, Acts 13:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:1 - take Numbers 3:6 - General Numbers 4:3 - to do Deuteronomy 18:5 - General 1 Kings 16:31 - as if it had been a light thing 1 Chronicles 6:48 - brethren Nehemiah 13:29 - the covenant Malachi 2:5 - covenant John 3:27 - A man Romans 1:1 - separated

Cross-References

Genesis 16:5
Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for my suffering! I put my slave in your arms, and when she saw that she was pregnant, I became contemptible to her. May the Lord judge between me and you.”
Genesis 16:6
Abram replied to Sarai, “Here, your slave is in your hands; do whatever you want with her.” Then Sarai mistreated her so much that she ran away from her.
Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post,for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
Ephesians 5:21
submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Titus 2:9
Slaves are to submit to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back

Gill's Notes on the Bible

[Seemeth it but] a small thing unto you,.... It should not; for it was a great thing which the Lord had done for them, and with which they should have been satisfied, and for it thankful:

that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel: this was a special favour, and ought to have been esteemed such, that God, who was the God of the whole people of Israel in common, should separate the tribe of Levi from all the rest of the tribes of Israel:

to bring you near to himself; next to the priests their brethren of the same tribe, to be joined to them, and assist them in their service, and officiate in the court of the tabernacle, where the divine Majesty dwelt:

to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord; to watch it, and guard it, and keep out persons until to enter into it; to take it down and set it up, as occasion required, and bear and carry the holy things in it, and take care of them:

and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? which Jarchi interprets of their singing in the desk songs of praise before them; but Aben Ezra, better, of the service they did for them, when they brought their offerings and sacrifices, which they took of them, and carried to the priests to offer for them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

“Seemeth” is not in the original. Render it as: Is it too little for you, i. e. “is it less than your dignity demands?”


 
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