Bible Commentaries
Numbers 16

Verse 1

Now. See note on "while", Numbers 15:32 .

Korah. First cousin to Moses and Aaron. Numbers 6:8 . 1 Chronicles 6:2 , 1 Chronicles 6:3 . These three associated, because encamped together on south side. Compare Numbers 2:10 and Numbers 3:29 . See p. 181.

sons. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint, read "son".

men. This word necessitated through Authorized Version and Revised Version misplacing the verb "took", which should be after Levi. "Korah took Dathan . . . and Abiram . . . and On, the son of Peleth, the son of Reuben". See below.

Verse 2

children = sons.

assembly = appointed assembly.

congregation = assembly. Hebrew. 'edah.

Verse 3

congregation = appointed assembly. Hebrew. 'edah.

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

congregation = assembly.

Verse 7

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 9

Seemeth it . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis App-6 .

tabernacle = Hebrew. mishkan , habitation. App-40 .

Verse 11

and what is Aaron? = "and Aaron, who is he"? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Verse 13

Is it . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 14

put out = bore out.

Verse 15

offering = gift offering. App-13 .

Verse 18

fire. Note three kinds of fire here, Numbers 16:18 = strange fire; Numbers 16:35 , judicial fire; Numbers 16:46 , sacrificial fire. Compare Leviticus 9:24 with Leviticus 10:1 , Leviticus 10:2 .

door = entrance.

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew 'ohel. App-40 .

Verse 20

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1 .

Verse 22

O GOD = O 'El. App-4 .

God = Elohim. App-4 .

spirits. Hebrew, plural of ruach. App-9 .

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

sin. Hebrew. chat'a. App-44 .

Verse 24

tabernacle. Hebrew. mishkan, habitation in sing. here = the habitation of each, separately; in Numbers 16:26 plural, "tents".

Verse 26

wicked. Hebrew. rash'a. App-41 .

men. Hebrew pi of 'ish or 'enosh.

Verse 27

they = and Korah and his sons among them. Compare Numbers 26:11 .

door = entrance.

their sons: i.e. the sons of Dathan and Abiram, not of Korah. Compare Ch. Numbers 26:11 .Psalms 106:17 . See note on Numbers 16:32 .

Verse 28

I have not done them. Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 .

Verse 29

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 30

make a new thing. Hebrew "create a creation". Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 , for emphasis, throwing light on Genesis 1:1 . Compare Isaiah 45:7 ; Isaiah 48:6 , Isaiah 48:7 .

them: Dathan and Abiram. Compare Numbers 16:27 . Korah's sons had obeyed the command, Compare Numbers 26:11 .

quick = alive.

pit = Sheol, see Numbers 16:33 and App-35 .

Verse 32

men: Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . These did not include Korah's sons. Compare Numbers 26:11 .

Verse 33

pit = Hebrew. sheol = the grave, not "a" grave, but all graves viewed as one. See App-35 . They went alive, with all their cattle, tents, and goods. All sank into the earth.

Verse 35

two hundred and fifty. Plus the 14,700 of Numbers 16:49

Verse 36

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1 .

Verse 37

burning. Hebrew. saraph. See App-43 . e from among those that were burnt.

the fire. Compare Numbers 16:7 , not accepted by Jehovah.

hallowed = set apart. See note on "holy". Exodus 3:5

Verse 38

sinners. See App-44 .

souls = their own selves. Hebrew. nephesh.

their own. Compare Genesis 19:17 and Proverbs 20:2 .

offered. Hebrew brought near. App-43 .

Verse 40

memorial. Compare Ch. Numbers 17:10 , 1 Corinthians 10:11 , and see Structure, p 203. Hence history rehearsed in Deuteronomy 11:6-8 . Note the two memorials added to the tabernacle through Korah's rebellion (see the Structure, p. 203), the plates (36-40) and Aaron's rod (Numbers 17:1-13 ).

offer = burn. Hebrew. katar. App-43 .

as = according as.

to him, or with regard thereto.

Verse 42

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 .

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 46

atonement. See note on Exodus 29:33 .

from = from before.

Verse 48

the = Hebrew between the.

Verse 49

fourteen thousand and seven hundred. This, with the 250 of = Num 16:3514 ; Num 16:950 (= 13 x 1,150). See App-10 for significance of the number 13.

Verse 50

door = entrance.