可拉之乱

16 可拉是利未的曾孙、哥辖的孙子、以斯哈的儿子。他跟吕便支派以利押的两个儿子大坍和亚比兰以及比勒的儿子安心中狂妄, 联合二百五十名在以色列会众中有声望的首领反叛摩西, 一起攻击摩西和亚伦,说:“你们太过分了!全体会众都是圣洁的,有耶和华住在他们当中,你们凭什么将自己置于耶和华的会众之上?” 摩西听了这话,就俯伏在地, 对可拉一伙人说:“到了明天早上,耶和华必显明谁是属于祂的,谁是圣洁的。祂必让祂所拣选的人到祂面前。 可拉啊,你们要这样做,你和你的同伙明天带香炉来, 在耶和华面前点火添香。耶和华拣选谁,谁就是圣洁的。你们利未人太过分了!” 摩西又对可拉说:“利未人啊,你们听我说! 以色列的上帝把你们从以色列会众中分别出来,使你们可以到祂面前,在祂的圣幕里司职,替会众办事,你们还不满足吗? 10 可拉啊,耶和华使你和其他利未人事奉祂,你们还不满足,还要贪求祭司的职分吗? 11 其实你和你的同伙合谋反叛的是耶和华,而不是亚伦。” 12 摩西派人去召以利押的儿子大坍和亚比兰,他们却说:“我们不去! 13 你带我们离开奶蜜之乡,要让我们死在旷野,这还不够吗?你还想自立为王管辖我们吗? 14 你并没有领我们到奶蜜之乡,也没有给我们田地和葡萄园作产业,你还想继续蒙骗我们吗?我们不去!”

15 摩西非常愤怒,就对耶和华说:“求你不要接纳他们的祭物。我没有取过他们一头驴,也没有害过他们任何人。” 16 摩西对可拉说:“明天你和你的同伙要跟亚伦一起站在耶和华面前。 17 每人要拿一个香炉,放上香,带到耶和华面前,共二百五十个。你和亚伦也要各拿一个香炉。” 18 于是,他们都拿着香炉,盛着火和香,跟摩西和亚伦一起站在会幕门口。 19 可拉把全体会众招聚到会幕门口,要对付摩西和亚伦。这时,耶和华的荣光向会众显现。

20 耶和华对摩西和亚伦说: 21 “你们离开这些会众,我好在顷刻之间消灭他们。” 22 摩西和亚伦就伏在地上说:“上帝啊,赐人生命的上帝啊!一人犯罪,你就要向全体会众发怒吗?” 23 耶和华对摩西说: 24 “你叫会众离可拉、大坍和亚比兰的帐篷远一点。”

25 于是,摩西起来去大坍和亚比兰那里,以色列的长老也跟着他。 26 他对会众说:“你们离这些恶人的帐篷远一点,不要碰他们的任何东西,免得你们因他们的罪而受牵连,同遭毁灭。” 27 会众便离开可拉、大坍和亚比兰的帐篷。大坍和亚比兰带着妻小出来,站在自己的帐篷门口。 28 摩西对会众说:“你们很快就知道,我所做的事都是奉耶和华之命而行,并非出于私意。 29 如果这些人像常人一样死去,遭遇跟世人无异,我就不是耶和华派来的。 30 但如果耶和华做一件前所未有的事,使地裂开,吞下他们和属于他们的一切,使他们活生生地坠入阴间,你们就知道这些人藐视耶和华了。”

31 摩西的话刚说完,这些人脚下的地就裂开, 32 吞下了他们和他们的家眷及所有可拉一伙的人和财物。 33 他们和属于他们的一切就这样活活地坠入阴间,地在他们上面合拢起来,他们就从会众中灭亡了。 34 他们四围的以色列人听到他们的喊叫声,纷纷逃跑,生怕自己也被吞下去。 35 耶和华又降下烈火,烧死了那二百五十个献香的人。

36 耶和华对摩西说: 37 “你叫亚伦祭司的儿子以利亚撒去从火中把香炉捡起来,把炭火撒在远处,因为那些香炉是圣洁的。 38 要把那些因犯罪而丧命之人的香炉打成薄片,用来包祭坛,因为那些香炉曾被献在耶和华面前,是圣洁的,并且可让以色列人引以为戒。” 39 于是,以利亚撒祭司取来被烧死之人所献的铜香炉,叫人打成薄片用来包祭坛, 40 让以色列人引以为戒,使亚伦子孙以外的人不致到耶和华面前烧香,以免像可拉及其同伙一样灭亡。这是按照耶和华借摩西的吩咐做的。

41 第二天,以色列全体会众都埋怨摩西和亚伦说:“你们害死了耶和华的子民。” 42 会众聚集起来反对摩西和亚伦,他们向会幕观看,忽然有云彩遮盖了会幕,耶和华的荣光显现了。 43 摩西和亚伦来到会幕前, 44 耶和华对摩西说: 45 “你们离开这些会众,我好在顷刻之间消灭他们。”他们二人就俯伏在地。 46 摩西对亚伦说:“取香炉来,里面放些坛上的火,添上香,赶快带到会众那里为他们赎罪,因为耶和华发怒了,瘟疫已经开始。” 47 亚伦就照着摩西的吩咐取来香炉,跑到会众当中。那时瘟疫已经在人群中蔓延起来。他就在炉中放上香为民众赎罪。 48 他站在活人和死人中间,瘟疫就止住了。 49 除了在可拉事件中死亡的人以外,当天有一万四千七百人死于瘟疫。 50 瘟疫止住后,亚伦便回到在会幕门口的摩西那里。

可拉、大坍和亞比蘭叛變

16 利未的曾孫、哥轄的孫子、以斯哈的兒子可拉,和流本子孫中以利押的兒子大坍、亞比蘭,與比勒的兒子安,帶著人來, 反抗摩西,還有以色列人中的二百五十個人,就是會眾的領袖;會眾中被選出有名望的人。 他們聚集起來反抗摩西和亞倫,對他們說:“你們太過分了,全體會眾個個都是聖潔的,耶和華也在他們中間,你們為甚麼高抬自己,超過耶和華的會眾呢?”

摩西聽見了,就臉伏於地, 對可拉和他的同黨說:“到了早晨,耶和華就要使人知道誰是屬他的;誰是聖潔的,就叫誰親近他;誰是他揀選的,就叫誰親近他。 你們要這樣作:可拉和你的同黨,你們要拿香爐來; 明天你們要在耶和華面前,把火盛在爐中,把香放在上面;耶和華揀選誰,誰就是聖潔的,你們利未人太過分了。”

摩西又對可拉說:“利未人哪,請聽。 以色列的 神把你們從以色列會眾中分別出來,使你們親近他,辦理耶和華帳幕的事務,又站在會眾面前替他們供職; 10 耶和華又使你和你所有的兄弟,就是利未的子孫,一同親近他,這在你們看來是小事嗎?你們還要尋求祭司職分嗎? 11 所以你和你的同黨聚集起來反抗耶和華;亞倫算甚麼呢?你們竟向他發怨言。”

12 摩西派人去把以利押的兒子大坍和亞比蘭叫來;他們說:“我們不上去。 13 你把我們從流奶與蜜的地帶上來,要在曠野殺死我們,這算小事嗎?你還要自立為王管轄我們嗎? 14 況且你沒有把我們領到流奶與蜜的地,也沒有把田地和葡萄園給我們作產業。難道你要把這些人的眼睛剜出來嗎?我們不上去。”

15 於是摩西大怒,對耶和華說:“求你不要悅納他們的禮物,我沒有奪過他們一頭驢,也沒有害過他們一個人。”

他們的刑罰

16 摩西對可拉說:“明天你和你的同黨,以及亞倫,都要站在耶和華面前。 17 你們各人要拿著自己的香爐,把香盛在上面;你們各人要把自己的香爐帶到耶和華面前,共二百五十個香爐;你和亞倫也各人拿著自己的香爐。” 18 於是,他們各人拿著自己的香爐,盛上火,加上香,與摩西和亞倫一同站在會幕門口。 19 可拉召聚了全體會眾到會幕門口,來攻擊摩西和亞倫,耶和華的榮光就向全體會眾顯現。

20 耶和華對摩西和亞倫說: 21 “你們要離開這會眾,我好在眨眼間把他們吞滅。” 22 摩西和亞倫就俯伏在地,說:“ 神啊,萬人之靈的 神啊,一人犯罪,你就要向全體會眾發怒嗎?” 23 耶和華對摩西說: 24 “你要吩咐會眾說:‘你們要離開可拉、大坍、亞比蘭帳幕的四周。’”

25 於是摩西起來,到大坍和亞比蘭那裡去;以色列的長老也隨著他去了。 26 摩西告訴會眾:“你們要遠離這些惡人的帳幕,凡是他們的東西,你們都不可摸,免得你們因他們的一切罪惡同遭毀滅。” 27 於是,眾人離開了可拉、大坍、亞比蘭帳幕的四周;大坍、亞比蘭就帶著妻子、兒女和小孩出來,站在自己的帳幕門口。 28 摩西說:“由此你們可以知道,我作這一切事,是耶和華派我作的,並不是出於我自己的心意。 29 如果這些人死亡像一般人死亡一樣,或是他們所遭遇的像一般人的遭遇一樣,那麼就不是耶和華派我來的。 30 如果耶和華作一件新事,使地開口,把他們和他們所有的都吞下去,叫他們活活地下到陰間,這樣你們就知道這些人是藐視耶和華了。”

31 摩西說完了這一切話,他們腳下的地就裂開。 32 地開了口,把他們和他們的家眷,以及一切屬可拉的人和財物,都吞了下去。 33 這樣,他們和一切屬他們的,都活活地下到陰間,地在他們上面合閉,他們就從會眾中滅亡了。 34 在他們四周的以色列眾人,聽見他們的呼叫,就都逃跑,說:“恐怕地也把我們吞下去。” 35 又有火從耶和華那裡出來,把那獻香的二百五十個人吞滅了。

留作記念的香爐

36 耶和華對摩西說: 37 “你要吩咐亞倫祭司的兒子以利亞撒,叫他把那些香爐從火中拾起來,把火撒在別處,因為那些香爐是聖的; 38 那些犯罪而自害己命的人的香爐也是聖的,你們要把它們錘成薄片,用來包蓋祭壇;那些香爐本是他們在耶和華面前獻過的,所以已經成為聖的,並且可以給以色列作鑒戒。” 39 於是,以利亞撒祭司把被火焚燒的人獻過的銅香爐拿起來,叫人錘成薄片,用來包蓋祭壇, 40 給以色列人作鑒戒,叫不是亞倫子孫的外人,不可近前來,在耶和華面前燒香,免得他像可拉和他的同黨有一樣的遭遇;這是照著耶和華藉摩西吩咐以利亞撒的。

會眾因亞倫代求而獲救

41 第二天,以色列全體會眾都向摩西和亞倫發怨言,說:“你們害死了耶和華的子民。” 42 會眾聚集攻擊摩西和亞倫的時候,他們轉身向會幕觀看,見有雲彩遮蓋會幕,耶和華的榮光顯現出來。 43 摩西和亞倫就來到會幕前面。 44 耶和華吩咐摩西說: 45 “你們要離開這會眾,我好在眨眼間把他們消滅。”他們二人就俯伏在地。 46 摩西對亞倫說:“你要拿著香爐,把壇上的火盛在裡頭,又加上香,快快帶到會眾那裡去,為他們贖罪,因為有震怒從耶和華面前出來,瘟疫已經開始了。” 47 亞倫照著摩西吩咐的把香爐拿來,跑到會眾中間,果然,瘟疫已經在人民中間開始了;他就加上香,為人民贖罪。 48 他站在死人與活人中間,瘟疫就止住了。 49 除了因可拉事件死亡的以外,因瘟疫死亡的有一萬四千七百人。 50 亞倫回到會幕門口摩西那裡,瘟疫已經止住了。(本章第36~50節在《馬索拉文本》為17:1~15)

'民 數 記 16 ' not found for the version: Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version.

Korah, Dathan and Abiram

16 Korah(A) son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram(B), sons of Eliab,(C) and On son of Peleth—became insolent[a] and rose up against Moses.(D) With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.(E) They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron(F) and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy,(G) every one of them, and the Lord is with them.(H) Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”(I)

When Moses heard this, he fell facedown.(J) Then he said to Korah and all his followers: “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him and who is holy,(K) and he will have that person come near him.(L) The man he chooses(M) he will cause to come near him. You, Korah, and all your followers(N) are to do this: Take censers(O) and tomorrow put burning coals(P) and incense(Q) in them before the Lord. The man the Lord chooses(R) will be the one who is holy.(S) You Levites have gone too far!”

Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you Levites! Isn’t it enough(T) for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the Lord’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them?(U) 10 He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too.(V) 11 It is against the Lord that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble(W) against him?(X)

12 Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram,(Y) the sons of Eliab. But they said, “We will not come!(Z) 13 Isn’t it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey(AA) to kill us in the wilderness?(AB) And now you also want to lord it over us!(AC) 14 Moreover, you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey(AD) or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards.(AE) Do you want to treat these men like slaves[b]?(AF) No, we will not come!(AG)

15 Then Moses became very angry(AH) and said to the Lord, “Do not accept their offering. I have not taken so much as a donkey(AI) from them, nor have I wronged any of them.”

16 Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the Lord tomorrow—you and they and Aaron.(AJ) 17 Each man is to take his censer and put incense in it—250 censers in all—and present it before the Lord. You and Aaron are to present your censers also.(AK) 18 So each of them took his censer,(AL) put burning coals and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 19 When Korah had gathered all his followers in opposition to them(AM) at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the glory of the Lord(AN) appeared to the entire assembly. 20 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 21 “Separate yourselves(AO) from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.”(AP)

22 But Moses and Aaron fell facedown(AQ) and cried out, “O God, the God who gives breath to all living things,(AR) will you be angry with the entire assembly(AS) when only one man sins?”(AT)

23 Then the Lord said to Moses, 24 “Say to the assembly, ‘Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.’”

25 Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel(AU) followed him. 26 He warned the assembly, “Move back from the tents of these wicked men!(AV) Do not touch anything belonging to them, or you will be swept away(AW) because of all their sins.(AX) 27 So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.(AY) Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children(AZ) and little ones at the entrances to their tents.(BA)

28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know(BB) that the Lord has sent me(BC) to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me.(BD) 30 But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth(BE) and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead,(BF) then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.(BG)

31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart(BH) 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them(BI) and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the realm of the dead,(BJ) with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 34 At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is going to swallow us too!”

35 And fire came out from the Lord(BK) and consumed(BL) the 250 men who were offering the incense.

36 The Lord said to Moses, 37 “Tell Eleazar(BM) son of Aaron, the priest, to remove the censers(BN) from the charred remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy— 38 the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives.(BO) Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar,(BP) for they were presented before the Lord and have become holy. Let them be a sign(BQ) to the Israelites.”

39 So Eleazar the priest(BR) collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned to death,(BS) and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, 40 as the Lord directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense(BT) before the Lord,(BU) or he would become like Korah and his followers.(BV)

41 The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the Lord’s people,” they said.

42 But when the assembly gathered in opposition(BW) to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord(BX) appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord said to Moses, 45 “Get away from this assembly so I can put an end(BY) to them at once.” And they fell facedown.

46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer(BZ) and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly(CA) to make atonement(CB) for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord;(CC) the plague(CD) has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people,(CE) but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.(CF) 49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah.(CG) 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, for the plague had stopped.[c]

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 16:1 Or Peleth—took men
  2. Numbers 16:14 Or to deceive these men; Hebrew Will you gouge out the eyes of these men
  3. Numbers 16:50 In Hebrew texts 16:36-50 is numbered 17:1-15.

16 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:

And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?

And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:

And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the Lord will shew 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.

This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;

And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:

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?

10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?

11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?

12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:

13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?

14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the Lord, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:

17 And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.

18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation.

20 And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

23 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

27 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.

28 And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.

29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me.

30 But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.

31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:

32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

35 And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

36 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.

38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.

41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.

42 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.

43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.

44 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun.

47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.

48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.

50 And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

可拉之乱

16 可拉是利未的曾孙、哥辖的孙子、以斯哈的儿子。他跟吕便支派以利押的两个儿子大坍和亚比兰以及比勒的儿子安心中狂妄, 联合二百五十名在以色列会众中有声望的首领反叛摩西, 一起攻击摩西和亚伦,说:“你们太过分了!全体会众都是圣洁的,有耶和华住在他们当中,你们凭什么将自己置于耶和华的会众之上?” 摩西听了这话,就俯伏在地, 对可拉一伙人说:“到了明天早上,耶和华必显明谁是属于祂的,谁是圣洁的。祂必让祂所拣选的人到祂面前。 可拉啊,你们要这样做,你和你的同伙明天带香炉来, 在耶和华面前点火添香。耶和华拣选谁,谁就是圣洁的。你们利未人太过分了!” 摩西又对可拉说:“利未人啊,你们听我说! 以色列的上帝把你们从以色列会众中分别出来,使你们可以到祂面前,在祂的圣幕里司职,替会众办事,你们还不满足吗? 10 可拉啊,耶和华使你和其他利未人事奉祂,你们还不满足,还要贪求祭司的职分吗? 11 其实你和你的同伙合谋反叛的是耶和华,而不是亚伦。” 12 摩西派人去召以利押的儿子大坍和亚比兰,他们却说:“我们不去! 13 你带我们离开奶蜜之乡,要让我们死在旷野,这还不够吗?你还想自立为王管辖我们吗? 14 你并没有领我们到奶蜜之乡,也没有给我们田地和葡萄园作产业,你还想继续蒙骗我们吗?我们不去!”

15 摩西非常愤怒,就对耶和华说:“求你不要接纳他们的祭物。我没有取过他们一头驴,也没有害过他们任何人。” 16 摩西对可拉说:“明天你和你的同伙要跟亚伦一起站在耶和华面前。 17 每人要拿一个香炉,放上香,带到耶和华面前,共二百五十个。你和亚伦也要各拿一个香炉。” 18 于是,他们都拿着香炉,盛着火和香,跟摩西和亚伦一起站在会幕门口。 19 可拉把全体会众招聚到会幕门口,要对付摩西和亚伦。这时,耶和华的荣光向会众显现。

20 耶和华对摩西和亚伦说: 21 “你们离开这些会众,我好在顷刻之间消灭他们。” 22 摩西和亚伦就伏在地上说:“上帝啊,赐人生命的上帝啊!一人犯罪,你就要向全体会众发怒吗?” 23 耶和华对摩西说: 24 “你叫会众离可拉、大坍和亚比兰的帐篷远一点。”

25 于是,摩西起来去大坍和亚比兰那里,以色列的长老也跟着他。 26 他对会众说:“你们离这些恶人的帐篷远一点,不要碰他们的任何东西,免得你们因他们的罪而受牵连,同遭毁灭。” 27 会众便离开可拉、大坍和亚比兰的帐篷。大坍和亚比兰带着妻小出来,站在自己的帐篷门口。 28 摩西对会众说:“你们很快就知道,我所做的事都是奉耶和华之命而行,并非出于私意。 29 如果这些人像常人一样死去,遭遇跟世人无异,我就不是耶和华派来的。 30 但如果耶和华做一件前所未有的事,使地裂开,吞下他们和属于他们的一切,使他们活生生地坠入阴间,你们就知道这些人藐视耶和华了。”

31 摩西的话刚说完,这些人脚下的地就裂开, 32 吞下了他们和他们的家眷及所有可拉一伙的人和财物。 33 他们和属于他们的一切就这样活活地坠入阴间,地在他们上面合拢起来,他们就从会众中灭亡了。 34 他们四围的以色列人听到他们的喊叫声,纷纷逃跑,生怕自己也被吞下去。 35 耶和华又降下烈火,烧死了那二百五十个献香的人。

36 耶和华对摩西说: 37 “你叫亚伦祭司的儿子以利亚撒去从火中把香炉捡起来,把炭火撒在远处,因为那些香炉是圣洁的。 38 要把那些因犯罪而丧命之人的香炉打成薄片,用来包祭坛,因为那些香炉曾被献在耶和华面前,是圣洁的,并且可让以色列人引以为戒。” 39 于是,以利亚撒祭司取来被烧死之人所献的铜香炉,叫人打成薄片用来包祭坛, 40 让以色列人引以为戒,使亚伦子孙以外的人不致到耶和华面前烧香,以免像可拉及其同伙一样灭亡。这是按照耶和华借摩西的吩咐做的。

41 第二天,以色列全体会众都埋怨摩西和亚伦说:“你们害死了耶和华的子民。” 42 会众聚集起来反对摩西和亚伦,他们向会幕观看,忽然有云彩遮盖了会幕,耶和华的荣光显现了。 43 摩西和亚伦来到会幕前, 44 耶和华对摩西说: 45 “你们离开这些会众,我好在顷刻之间消灭他们。”他们二人就俯伏在地。 46 摩西对亚伦说:“取香炉来,里面放些坛上的火,添上香,赶快带到会众那里为他们赎罪,因为耶和华发怒了,瘟疫已经开始。” 47 亚伦就照着摩西的吩咐取来香炉,跑到会众当中。那时瘟疫已经在人群中蔓延起来。他就在炉中放上香为民众赎罪。 48 他站在活人和死人中间,瘟疫就止住了。 49 除了在可拉事件中死亡的人以外,当天有一万四千七百人死于瘟疫。 50 瘟疫止住后,亚伦便回到在会幕门口的摩西那里。

可拉、大坍和亞比蘭叛變

16 利未的曾孫、哥轄的孫子、以斯哈的兒子可拉,和流本子孫中以利押的兒子大坍、亞比蘭,與比勒的兒子安,帶著人來, 反抗摩西,還有以色列人中的二百五十個人,就是會眾的領袖;會眾中被選出有名望的人。 他們聚集起來反抗摩西和亞倫,對他們說:“你們太過分了,全體會眾個個都是聖潔的,耶和華也在他們中間,你們為甚麼高抬自己,超過耶和華的會眾呢?”

摩西聽見了,就臉伏於地, 對可拉和他的同黨說:“到了早晨,耶和華就要使人知道誰是屬他的;誰是聖潔的,就叫誰親近他;誰是他揀選的,就叫誰親近他。 你們要這樣作:可拉和你的同黨,你們要拿香爐來; 明天你們要在耶和華面前,把火盛在爐中,把香放在上面;耶和華揀選誰,誰就是聖潔的,你們利未人太過分了。”

摩西又對可拉說:“利未人哪,請聽。 以色列的 神把你們從以色列會眾中分別出來,使你們親近他,辦理耶和華帳幕的事務,又站在會眾面前替他們供職; 10 耶和華又使你和你所有的兄弟,就是利未的子孫,一同親近他,這在你們看來是小事嗎?你們還要尋求祭司職分嗎? 11 所以你和你的同黨聚集起來反抗耶和華;亞倫算甚麼呢?你們竟向他發怨言。”

12 摩西派人去把以利押的兒子大坍和亞比蘭叫來;他們說:“我們不上去。 13 你把我們從流奶與蜜的地帶上來,要在曠野殺死我們,這算小事嗎?你還要自立為王管轄我們嗎? 14 況且你沒有把我們領到流奶與蜜的地,也沒有把田地和葡萄園給我們作產業。難道你要把這些人的眼睛剜出來嗎?我們不上去。”

15 於是摩西大怒,對耶和華說:“求你不要悅納他們的禮物,我沒有奪過他們一頭驢,也沒有害過他們一個人。”

他們的刑罰

16 摩西對可拉說:“明天你和你的同黨,以及亞倫,都要站在耶和華面前。 17 你們各人要拿著自己的香爐,把香盛在上面;你們各人要把自己的香爐帶到耶和華面前,共二百五十個香爐;你和亞倫也各人拿著自己的香爐。” 18 於是,他們各人拿著自己的香爐,盛上火,加上香,與摩西和亞倫一同站在會幕門口。 19 可拉召聚了全體會眾到會幕門口,來攻擊摩西和亞倫,耶和華的榮光就向全體會眾顯現。

20 耶和華對摩西和亞倫說: 21 “你們要離開這會眾,我好在眨眼間把他們吞滅。” 22 摩西和亞倫就俯伏在地,說:“ 神啊,萬人之靈的 神啊,一人犯罪,你就要向全體會眾發怒嗎?” 23 耶和華對摩西說: 24 “你要吩咐會眾說:‘你們要離開可拉、大坍、亞比蘭帳幕的四周。’”

25 於是摩西起來,到大坍和亞比蘭那裡去;以色列的長老也隨著他去了。 26 摩西告訴會眾:“你們要遠離這些惡人的帳幕,凡是他們的東西,你們都不可摸,免得你們因他們的一切罪惡同遭毀滅。” 27 於是,眾人離開了可拉、大坍、亞比蘭帳幕的四周;大坍、亞比蘭就帶著妻子、兒女和小孩出來,站在自己的帳幕門口。 28 摩西說:“由此你們可以知道,我作這一切事,是耶和華派我作的,並不是出於我自己的心意。 29 如果這些人死亡像一般人死亡一樣,或是他們所遭遇的像一般人的遭遇一樣,那麼就不是耶和華派我來的。 30 如果耶和華作一件新事,使地開口,把他們和他們所有的都吞下去,叫他們活活地下到陰間,這樣你們就知道這些人是藐視耶和華了。”

31 摩西說完了這一切話,他們腳下的地就裂開。 32 地開了口,把他們和他們的家眷,以及一切屬可拉的人和財物,都吞了下去。 33 這樣,他們和一切屬他們的,都活活地下到陰間,地在他們上面合閉,他們就從會眾中滅亡了。 34 在他們四周的以色列眾人,聽見他們的呼叫,就都逃跑,說:“恐怕地也把我們吞下去。” 35 又有火從耶和華那裡出來,把那獻香的二百五十個人吞滅了。

留作記念的香爐

36 耶和華對摩西說: 37 “你要吩咐亞倫祭司的兒子以利亞撒,叫他把那些香爐從火中拾起來,把火撒在別處,因為那些香爐是聖的; 38 那些犯罪而自害己命的人的香爐也是聖的,你們要把它們錘成薄片,用來包蓋祭壇;那些香爐本是他們在耶和華面前獻過的,所以已經成為聖的,並且可以給以色列作鑒戒。” 39 於是,以利亞撒祭司把被火焚燒的人獻過的銅香爐拿起來,叫人錘成薄片,用來包蓋祭壇, 40 給以色列人作鑒戒,叫不是亞倫子孫的外人,不可近前來,在耶和華面前燒香,免得他像可拉和他的同黨有一樣的遭遇;這是照著耶和華藉摩西吩咐以利亞撒的。

會眾因亞倫代求而獲救

41 第二天,以色列全體會眾都向摩西和亞倫發怨言,說:“你們害死了耶和華的子民。” 42 會眾聚集攻擊摩西和亞倫的時候,他們轉身向會幕觀看,見有雲彩遮蓋會幕,耶和華的榮光顯現出來。 43 摩西和亞倫就來到會幕前面。 44 耶和華吩咐摩西說: 45 “你們要離開這會眾,我好在眨眼間把他們消滅。”他們二人就俯伏在地。 46 摩西對亞倫說:“你要拿著香爐,把壇上的火盛在裡頭,又加上香,快快帶到會眾那裡去,為他們贖罪,因為有震怒從耶和華面前出來,瘟疫已經開始了。” 47 亞倫照著摩西吩咐的把香爐拿來,跑到會眾中間,果然,瘟疫已經在人民中間開始了;他就加上香,為人民贖罪。 48 他站在死人與活人中間,瘟疫就止住了。 49 除了因可拉事件死亡的以外,因瘟疫死亡的有一萬四千七百人。 50 亞倫回到會幕門口摩西那裡,瘟疫已經止住了。(本章第36~50節在《馬索拉文本》為17:1~15)

'民 數 記 16 ' not found for the version: Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version.

Korah, Dathan and Abiram

16 Korah(A) son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram(B), sons of Eliab,(C) and On son of Peleth—became insolent[a] and rose up against Moses.(D) With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.(E) They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron(F) and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy,(G) every one of them, and the Lord is with them.(H) Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”(I)

When Moses heard this, he fell facedown.(J) Then he said to Korah and all his followers: “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him and who is holy,(K) and he will have that person come near him.(L) The man he chooses(M) he will cause to come near him. You, Korah, and all your followers(N) are to do this: Take censers(O) and tomorrow put burning coals(P) and incense(Q) in them before the Lord. The man the Lord chooses(R) will be the one who is holy.(S) You Levites have gone too far!”

Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you Levites! Isn’t it enough(T) for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the Lord’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them?(U) 10 He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too.(V) 11 It is against the Lord that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble(W) against him?(X)

12 Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram,(Y) the sons of Eliab. But they said, “We will not come!(Z) 13 Isn’t it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey(AA) to kill us in the wilderness?(AB) And now you also want to lord it over us!(AC) 14 Moreover, you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey(AD) or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards.(AE) Do you want to treat these men like slaves[b]?(AF) No, we will not come!(AG)

15 Then Moses became very angry(AH) and said to the Lord, “Do not accept their offering. I have not taken so much as a donkey(AI) from them, nor have I wronged any of them.”

16 Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the Lord tomorrow—you and they and Aaron.(AJ) 17 Each man is to take his censer and put incense in it—250 censers in all—and present it before the Lord. You and Aaron are to present your censers also.(AK) 18 So each of them took his censer,(AL) put burning coals and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 19 When Korah had gathered all his followers in opposition to them(AM) at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the glory of the Lord(AN) appeared to the entire assembly. 20 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 21 “Separate yourselves(AO) from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.”(AP)

22 But Moses and Aaron fell facedown(AQ) and cried out, “O God, the God who gives breath to all living things,(AR) will you be angry with the entire assembly(AS) when only one man sins?”(AT)

23 Then the Lord said to Moses, 24 “Say to the assembly, ‘Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.’”

25 Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel(AU) followed him. 26 He warned the assembly, “Move back from the tents of these wicked men!(AV) Do not touch anything belonging to them, or you will be swept away(AW) because of all their sins.(AX) 27 So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.(AY) Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children(AZ) and little ones at the entrances to their tents.(BA)

28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know(BB) that the Lord has sent me(BC) to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me.(BD) 30 But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth(BE) and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead,(BF) then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.(BG)

31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart(BH) 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them(BI) and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the realm of the dead,(BJ) with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 34 At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is going to swallow us too!”

35 And fire came out from the Lord(BK) and consumed(BL) the 250 men who were offering the incense.

36 The Lord said to Moses, 37 “Tell Eleazar(BM) son of Aaron, the priest, to remove the censers(BN) from the charred remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy— 38 the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives.(BO) Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar,(BP) for they were presented before the Lord and have become holy. Let them be a sign(BQ) to the Israelites.”

39 So Eleazar the priest(BR) collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned to death,(BS) and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, 40 as the Lord directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense(BT) before the Lord,(BU) or he would become like Korah and his followers.(BV)

41 The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the Lord’s people,” they said.

42 But when the assembly gathered in opposition(BW) to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord(BX) appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord said to Moses, 45 “Get away from this assembly so I can put an end(BY) to them at once.” And they fell facedown.

46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer(BZ) and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly(CA) to make atonement(CB) for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord;(CC) the plague(CD) has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people,(CE) but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.(CF) 49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah.(CG) 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, for the plague had stopped.[c]

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 16:1 Or Peleth—took men
  2. Numbers 16:14 Or to deceive these men; Hebrew Will you gouge out the eyes of these men
  3. Numbers 16:50 In Hebrew texts 16:36-50 is numbered 17:1-15.

16 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:

And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?

And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:

And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the Lord will shew 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.

This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;

And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:

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?

10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?

11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?

12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:

13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?

14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the Lord, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:

17 And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.

18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation.

20 And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

23 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

27 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.

28 And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.

29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me.

30 But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.

31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:

32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

35 And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

36 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.

38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.

41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.

42 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.

43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.

44 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun.

47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.

48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.

50 And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.