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Si Kore ay naghimagsik laban kay Moises at laban kay Aaron.

16 Si (A)Core nga na anak ni Ishar, na anak ni Coath, na anak ni Levi sangpu ni Dathan at ni Abiram na mga anak ni Eliab, at si Hon na anak ni Peleth, na mga anak ni Ruben, ay nagsikuha ng mga tao:

At sila'y tumindig sa harap ni Moises, na kasama ng ilang mga anak ni Israel, na dalawang daan at limang pung (B)prinsipe sa kapisanan na tinawag sa kapulungan na mga lalaking bantog:

(C)At sila'y nagpupulong laban kay Moises at laban kay Aaron, at sinabi nila sa kanila, Kayo'y kumukuha ng malabis sa inyo, dangang ang buong kapisanan ay (D)banal, bawa't isa sa kanila, (E)at ang Panginoon ay nasa gitna nila: bakit nga kayo'y magmamataas sa kapisanan ng Panginoon?

At nang marinig ni Moises, ay (F)nagpatirapa.

At sinalita niya kay Core at sa kaniyang buong pulutong, na sinasabi, Sa kinaumagahan ay ipakikilala ng Panginoon kung sino ang kaniya, at kung sino ang banal, at kung sino ang palalapitin niya sa kaniya: sa makatuwid baga'y ang (G)piliin ay siyang kaniyang (H)palalapitin sa kaniya.

Ito'y inyong gawin; kumuha kayo ng mga (I)suuban, si Core at ang kaniyang buong pulutong;

At lagyan ninyo ng apoy at patungan ninyo ng kamangyan bukas sa harap ng Panginoon: at mangyayari na ang tao na piliin ng Panginoon, ay siyang banal: kayo'y kumukuha ng malabis sa inyo, kayong mga anak ni Levi.

At sinabi ni Moises kay Core, Dinggin ninyo ngayon, kayong mga anak ni Levi:

(J)Minumunting bagay pa ba ninyo na kayo'y ibinukod ng Dios ng Israel sa kapisanan ng Israel, upang ilapit niya kayo sa kaniya, upang gawin ninyo ang paglilingkod sa tabernakulo ng Panginoon, at upang kayo'y tumayo sa harap ng kapisanan na mangasiwa sa kanila;

10 At inilapit ka niya sangpu ng lahat ng iyong mga kapatid na mga anak ni Levi? at hangarin din naman ninyo ang pagkasaserdote?

11 Kaya't ikaw at ang iyong buong pulutong ay napipisan laban sa Panginoon: at si (K)Aaron, ano nga't siya'y inyong inupasala?

12 At ipinatawag ni Moises si Dathan at si Abiram, na mga anak ni Eliab: at kanilang sinabi, Hindi kami sasampa:

13 Munting bagay pa ba na kami ay iyong pinasampa sa isang lupain na (L)binubukalan ng gatas at pulot, upang kami ay patayin sa ilang, kundi (M)napapanginoon ka pa mandin sa amin?

14 Bukod dito'y hindi mo kami dinala sa isang lupain na binubukalan ng gatas at pulot, ni binigyan mo kami ng manang bukid at mga ubasan: dudukitin mo ba ang mga mata ng mga taong ito? hindi kami sasampa.

15 At si Moises ay naginit na mainam, at sinabi sa Panginoon, (N)Huwag mong pagpitaganan ang kanilang handog: (O)ako'y hindi kumuha ng isang asno sa kanila ni gumawa ng masama sa kanino man sa kanila.

16 At sinabi ni Moises kay Core, Humarap ka at ang iyong buong kapisanan sa Panginoon, ikaw, at sila, at si Aaron, (P)bukas:

17 At kumuha ang bawa't isa ng kaniyang suuban, at lagyan ninyo ng kamangyan, at dalhin ninyo sa harap ng Panginoon, na bawa't isa'y magdala ng kaniyang suuban, na dalawang daan at limang pung suuban; ikaw naman at si Aaron, bawa't isa sa inyo'y may kaniyang suuban.

18 At kinuha ng bawa't isa ang kaniyang suuban, at kanilang nilagyan ng apoy at kanilang pinatungan ng kamangyan, at sila'y tumayo sa pintuan ng tabernakulo ng kapisanan na kasama ni Moises at ni Aaron.

19 At pinisan ni Core ang buong kapisanan laban sa kanila sa pintuan ng tabernakulo ng kapisanan: at ang (Q)kaluwalhatian ng Panginoon ay lumitaw sa buong kapisanan.

Pinarusahan ang manghihimagsik.

20 At sinalita ng Panginoon kay Moises at kay Aaron, na sinasabi,

21 (R)Humiwalay kayo sa gitna ng kapisanang ito, upang aking lipulin sila sa isang sangdali.

22 At sila'y (S)nagpatirapa, at nagsabi, Oh Dios, na (T)Dios ng mga diwa ng lahat ng laman, sa pagkakasala ba ng isang tao ay magagalit ka sa buong kapisanan?

23 At sinalita ng Panginoon kay Moises, na sinasabi,

24 Salitain mo sa kapisanan na iyong sabihin, Lumayo kayo sa palibot ng tabernakulo ni Core, ni Dathan, at ni Abiram.

25 At si Moises ay tumayo at naparoon kay Dathan at kay Abiram; at ang mga matanda sa Israel ay sumunod sa kaniya.

26 At sinalita ni Moises sa kapisanan na sinasabi, (U)Magsilayo kayo, isinasamo ko sa inyo, sa mga tolda ng masasamang taong ito, at huwag kayong humipo ng anomang bagay nila, baka kayo'y (V)mamatay sa lahat nilang kasalanan.

27 Gayon sila nagsilayo sa tabernakulo ni Core, ni Dathan, at ni Abiram sa lahat ng dako: at si Dathan at si Abiram ay nagsilabas, at nagsitayo sa pintuan ng kanilang mga tolda, at ang kanilang mga asawa, at ang kanilang mga anak, at ang kanilang bata.

28 At sinabi ni Moises, Dito ninyo makikilala na ako'y sinugo ng Panginoon na gawin ang lahat ng mga gawang ito; sapagka't hindi kinatha ng (W)aking sariling pagiisip.

29 Kung ang mga taong ito ay mamatay sa karaniwang kamatayan ng lahat ng tao, o kung sila'y dalawin ayon sa karaniwang pagdalaw sa lahat ng tao; ay hindi nga ako sinugo ng Panginoon.

30 Nguni't kung ang Panginoon ay lumikha ng isang bagong bagay, na anopa't ibuka ng (X)lupa ang kaniyang bibig, at sila'y lamunin, sangpu ng buong nauukol sa kanila, (Y)at sila'y ibabang mga buháy sa Sheol; ay inyo ngang mapagkikilala na (Z)minungkahi ng mga taong ito ang Panginoon.

31 (AA)At nangyari, na pagkatapos na masalita niya ang lahat ng salitang ito, na ang lupa na nasa ilalim nila ay bumuka:

32 At ibinuka ng lupa ang kaniyang bibig at nilamon sila, at ang kanilang mga sangbahayan, at ang (AB)lahat ng lalake na nauukol kay Core, at lahat ng kanilang pagaari.

33 Na anopa't sila at lahat ng nauukol sa kanila, ay nababang buháy sa Sheol: at sila'y pinagtikuman ng lupa, at sila'y nalipol sa gitna ng kapisanan.

34 At ang buong Israel na nasa palibot nila ay tumakas sa hiyaw nila; sapagka't kanilang sinabi, Baka pati tayo'y lamunin ng lupa.

35 At apoy ang (AC)lumabas na mula sa Panginoon, at nilamon ang dalawang daan at limang pung lalake na naghandog ng kamangyan.

Ginawang laminang pinukpok ang mga suuban ng mga manghihimagsik.

36 At sinalita ng Panginoon kay Moises, na sinasabi,

37 Salitain mo kay (AD)Eleazar na anak ni Aaron na saserdote, na kaniyang kunin ang mga suuban sa sunog, at magkalat ng apoy doon; sapagka't mga banal yaon;

38 Pati ng mga suuban ng mga (AE)makasalanang ito laban sa kanilang sariling buhay, at gawin mo sa kanilang mga laminang pinukpok na pinaka pangtakip sa dambana: sapagka't kanilang inihandog sa harap ng Panginoon: kaya't mga banal: at (AF)magiging isang tanda sa mga anak ni Israel.

39 At kinuha ni Eleazar na saserdote ang mga tansong suuban na inihandog ng mga nasunog; at kanilang pinukpok na ginawang pinaka pangtakip sa dambana:

40 Upang maging pinakaalaala sa mga anak ni Israel, (AG)upang sinomang ibang tao na hindi sa mga anak ni Aaron ay huwag lumapit na magsunog ng kamangyan sa harap ng Panginoon; upang huwag magaya kay Core at sa kaniyang mga kasama: gaya ng sinalita ng Panginoon sa kaniya sa pamamagitan ni Moises.

Inpasala ng kapisanan si Moises at si Aaron; Ipinadala ang salot.

41 Datapuwa't sa kinabukasan ay inupasala ng buong kapisanan ng mga anak ni Israel si Moises at si Aaron, na sinasabi, Inyong pinatay ang bayan ng Panginoon.

42 At nangyari, nang magpipisan ang kapisanan laban kay Moises at laban kay Aaron, na sila'y tumingin sa dako ng tabernakulo ng kapisanan; at, narito, tinakpan ng (AH)ulap (AI)at ang kaluwalhatian ng Panginoon ay lumitaw.

43 At si Moises at si Aaron ay naparoon sa tapat ng tabernakulo ng kapisanan.

44 At sinalita ng Panginoon kay Moises, na sinasabi,

45 (AJ)Lumayo kayo sa gitna ng kapisanang ito, upang aking lipulin sila sa isang sangdali. At sila'y nagpatirapa.

46 At sinabi ni Moises kay Aaron, Kunin mo ang iyong suuban, at lagyan mo ng apoy mula sa dambana at patungan ng kamangyan, at dalhin mong madali sa kapisanan, at itubos mo sa kanila: (AK)sapagka't may galit na lumabas sa harap ng Panginoon; ang salot ay nagpapasimula na.

47 At kinuha ni Aaron gaya ng sinalita ni Moises, at siya'y tumakbo sa gitna ng kapulungan; at, narito, ang salot ay nagpasimula sa gitna ng bayan; at siya'y naglagay ng kamangyan at itinubos sa bayan.

48 At siya'y tumayo sa gitna ng mga patay at ng mga buhay; at ang salot ay (AL)tumigil.

49 Ang nangamatay nga sa salot ay labing apat na libo at pitong daan, (AM)bukod pa yaong nangamatay dahil kay Core.

50 At si Aaron ay nagbalik kay Moises sa pintuan ng tabernakulo ng kapisanan: at ang salot ay tumigil.

Révolte de Koré, Dathan et Abiram

16 Koré, fils de Jitsehar, fils de Kehath, fils de Lévi, se révolta avec Dathan et Abiram, fils d’Eliab, et On, fils de Péleth, tous trois fils de Ruben. Ils se soulevèrent contre Moïse, avec deux cent cinquante hommes des enfants d’Israël, des principaux de l’assemblée, de ceux que l’on convoquait à l’assemblée, et qui étaient des gens de renom. Ils s’assemblèrent contre Moïse et Aaron, et leur dirent: C’en est assez! car toute l’assemblée, tous sont saints, et l’Eternel est au milieu d’eux. Pourquoi vous élevez-vous au-dessus de l’assemblée de l’Eternel?

Quand Moïse eut entendu cela, il tomba sur son visage. Il parla à Koré et à toute sa troupe, en disant: Demain, l’Eternel fera connaître qui est à lui et qui est saint, et il le fera approcher de lui; il fera approcher de lui celui qu’il choisira. Faites ceci. Prenez des brasiers, Koré et toute sa troupe. Demain, mettez-y du feu, et posez-y du parfum devant l’Eternel; celui que l’Eternel choisira, c’est celui-là qui sera saint. C’en est assez, enfants de Lévi! Moïse dit à Koré: Ecoutez donc, enfants de Lévi! Est-ce trop peu pour vous que le Dieu d’Israël vous ait choisis dans l’assemblée d’Israël, en vous faisant approcher de lui, afin que vous soyez employés au service du tabernacle de l’Eternel, et que vous vous présentiez devant l’assemblée pour la servir? 10 Il vous a fait approcher de lui, toi, et tous tes frères, les enfants de Lévi, et vous voulez encore le sacerdoce! 11 C’est à cause de cela que toi et toute ta troupe, vous vous assemblez contre l’Eternel! car qui est Aaron, pour que vous murmuriez contre lui?

12 Moïse envoya appeler Dathan et Abiram, fils d’Eliab. Mais ils dirent: Nous ne monterons pas. 13 N’est-ce pas assez que tu nous aies fait sortir d’un pays où coulent le lait et le miel pour nous faire mourir au désert, sans que tu continues à dominer sur nous? 14 Et ce n’est pas dans un pays où coulent le lait et le miel que tu nous as menés, ce ne sont pas des champs et des vignes que tu nous as donnés en possession. Penses-tu crever les yeux de ces gens[a]? Nous ne monterons pas.

15 Moïse fut très irrité, et il dit à l’Eternel: N’aie point égard à leur offrande. Je ne leur ai pas même pris un âne, et je n’ai fait de mal à aucun d’eux.

16 Moïse dit à Koré: Toi et toute ta troupe, trouvez-vous demain devant l’Eternel, toi et eux, avec Aaron. 17 Prenez chacun votre brasier, mettez-y du parfum, et présentez devant l’Eternel chacun votre brasier: il y aura deux cent cinquante brasiers; toi et Aaron, vous prendrez aussi chacun votre brasier. 18 Ils prirent chacun leur brasier, y mirent du feu et y posèrent du parfum, et ils se tinrent à l’entrée de la tente d’assignation, avec Moïse et Aaron. 19 Et Koré convoqua toute l’assemblée contre Moïse et Aaron, à l’entrée de la tente d’assignation. Alors la gloire de l’Eternel apparut à toute l’assemblée. 20 Et l’Eternel parla à Moïse et à Aaron, et dit: 21 Séparez-vous du milieu de cette assemblée, et je les consumerai en un seul instant. 22 Ils tombèrent sur leur visage, et dirent: O Dieu, Dieu des esprits de toute chair! un seul homme a péché, et tu t’irriterais contre toute l’assemblée? 23 L’Eternel parla à Moïse, et dit: 24 Parle à l’assemblée, et dis: Retirez-vous de toutes parts loin de la demeure de Koré, de Dathan et d’Abiram.

25 Moïse se leva, et alla vers Dathan et Abiram; et les anciens d’Israël le suivirent. 26 Il parla à l’assemblée, et dit: Eloignez-vous des tentes de ces méchants hommes, et ne touchez à rien de ce qui leur appartient, de peur que vous ne périssiez en même temps qu’ils seront punis pour tous leurs péchés. 27 Ils se retirèrent de toutes parts loin de la demeure de Koré, de Dathan et d’Abiram. Dathan et Abiram sortirent, et se tinrent à l’entrée de leurs tentes, avec leurs femmes, leurs fils et leurs petits-enfants.

28 Moïse dit: A ceci vous connaîtrez que l’Eternel m’a envoyé pour faire toutes ces choses, et que je n’agis pas de moi-même. 29 Si ces gens meurent comme tous les hommes meurent, s’ils subissent le sort commun à tous les hommes, ce n’est pas l’Eternel qui m’a envoyé; 30 mais si l’Eternel fait une chose inouïe, si la terre ouvre sa bouche pour les engloutir avec tout ce qui leur appartient, et qu’ils descendent vivants dans le séjour des morts, vous saurez alors que ces gens ont méprisé l’Eternel. 31 Comme il achevait de prononcer toutes ces paroles, la terre qui était sous eux se fendit.

32 La terre ouvrit sa bouche, et les engloutit, eux et leurs maisons, avec tous les gens de Koré et tous leurs biens. 33 Ils descendirent vivants dans le séjour des morts, eux et tout ce qui leur appartenait; la terre les recouvrit, et ils disparurent du milieu de l’assemblée. 34 Tout Israël, qui était autour d’eux, s’enfuit à leur cri; car ils disaient: Fuyons, de peur que la terre ne nous engloutisse! 35 Un feu sortit d’auprès de l’Eternel, et consuma les deux cent cinquante hommes qui offraient le parfum.

36 L’Eternel parla à Moïse, et dit: 37 Dis à Eléazar, fils du sacrificateur Aaron, de retirer de l’incendie les brasiers et d’en répandre au loin le feu, car ils sont sanctifiés. 38 Avec les brasiers de ces gens qui ont péché au péril de leur vie, que l’on fasse des lames étendues dont on couvrira l’autel. Puisqu’ils ont été présentés devant l’Eternel et qu’ils sont sanctifiés, ils serviront de souvenir aux enfants d’Israël. 39 Le sacrificateur Eléazar prit les brasiers d’airain qu’avaient présentés les victimes de l’incendie, et il en fit des lames pour couvrir l’autel. 40 C’est un souvenir pour les enfants d’Israël, afin qu’aucun étranger à la race d’Aaron ne s’approche pour offrir du parfum devant l’Eternel et ne soit comme Koré et comme sa troupe, selon ce que l’Eternel avait déclaré par Moïse.

41 Dès le lendemain, toute l’assemblée des enfants d’Israël murmura contre Moïse et Aaron, en disant: Vous avez fait mourir le peuple de l’Eternel. 42 Comme l’assemblée se formait contre Moïse et Aaron, et comme ils tournaient les regards vers la tente d’assignation, voici, la nuée la couvrit, et la gloire de l’Eternel apparut. 43 Moïse et Aaron arrivèrent devant la tente d’assignation. 44 Et l’Eternel parla à Moïse, et dit: 45 Retirez-vous du milieu de cette assemblée, et je les consumerai en un instant. Ils tombèrent sur leur visage; 46 et Moïse dit à Aaron: Prends le brasier, mets-y du feu de dessus l’autel, poses-y du parfum, va promptement vers l’assemblée, et fais pour eux l’expiation; car la colère de l’Eternel a éclaté, la plaie a commencé. 47 Aaron prit le brasier, comme Moïse avait dit, et courut au milieu de l’assemblée; et voici, la plaie avait commencé parmi le peuple. Il offrit le parfum, et il fit l’expiation pour le peuple. 48 Il se plaça entre les morts et les vivants, et la plaie fut arrêtée. 49 Il y eut quatorze mille sept cents personnes qui moururent de cette plaie, outre ceux qui étaient morts à cause de Koré. 50 Aaron retourna auprès de Moïse, à l’entrée de la tente d’assignation. La plaie était arrêtée.

Footnotes

  1. Nombres 16:14 Penses-tu crever les yeux de ces gens ? ou penses-tu rendre ces gens aveugles sur les résultats de tes promesses ?

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.

The Rebellion of Korah

16 [a] Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, who were Reubenites,[b] took men[c] and rebelled against Moses, along with some of the Israelites, 250 leaders[d] of the community, chosen from the assembly,[e] famous men.[f] And they assembled against Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “You take too much upon yourselves,[g] seeing that the whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the community of the Lord?”

When Moses heard it he fell down with his face to the ground.[h] Then he said to Korah and to all his company, “In the morning the Lord will make known who are his, and who is holy. He will cause that person[i] to approach him; the person he has chosen he will cause to approach him. Do this, Korah, you and all your company:[j] Take censers, put fire in them, and set incense on them before the Lord tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses will be holy. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!” Moses said to Korah, “Listen now, you sons of Levi! 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? 10 He has brought you near and all your brothers, the sons of Levi, with you. Do you now seek[k] the priesthood also? 11 Therefore you and all your company have assembled together against the Lord! And Aaron—what is he that you murmur against him?”[l] 12 Then Moses summoned[m] Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they said, “We will not come up.[n] 13 Is it a small thing[o] that you have brought us up out of the land that flows with milk and honey,[p] to kill us in the wilderness? Now do you want to make yourself a prince[q] over us? 14 Moreover,[r] you have not brought us into a land that flows with milk and honey, nor given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Do you think you can blind[s] these men? We will not come up.”

15 Moses was very angry, and he said to the Lord, “Have no respect[t] for their offering! I have not taken so much as one donkey from them, nor have I harmed any one of them!”

16 Then Moses said to Korah, “You and all your company present yourselves before the Lord—you and they, and Aaron—tomorrow. 17 And each of you[u] take his censer, put[v] incense in it, and then each of you present his censer before the Lord: 250 censers, along with you, and Aaron—each of you with his censer.” 18 So everyone took his censer, put fire in it, and set incense on it, and stood at the entrance of the tent of meeting, with Moses and Aaron. 19 When[w] Korah assembled the whole community against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting, then the glory of the Lord appeared to the whole community.

The Judgment on the Rebels

20 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: 21 “Separate yourselves[x] from among this community,[y] that I may consume them in an instant.” 22 Then they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground[z] and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all people,[aa] will you be angry with the whole community when only one man sins?”[ab]

23 So the Lord spoke to Moses: 24 “Tell the community: ‘Get away[ac] from around the homes of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.’” 25 Then Moses got up[ad] and went to Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel went after him. 26 And he said to the community, “Move away from the tents of these wicked[ae] men, and do not touch anything they have, lest you be destroyed because[af] of all their sins.”[ag] 27 So they got away from the homes of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram on every side, and Dathan and Abiram came out and stationed themselves[ah] in the entrances of their tents with their wives, their children, and their toddlers. 28 Then Moses said, “This is how[ai] you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will.[aj] 29 If these men die a natural death,[ak] or if they share the fate[al] of all men, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord does something entirely new,[am] and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up[an] along with all that they have, and they[ao] go down alive to the grave,[ap] then you will know that these men have despised the Lord!”

31 When he had finished[aq] speaking[ar] all these words, the ground that was under them split open, 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, along with their households, and all Korah’s men, and all their goods. 33 They and all that they had went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed over them. So they perished from among the community. 34 All the Israelites[as] who were around them fled at their cry,[at] for they said, “What if[au] the earth swallows us too?” 35 Then a fire[av] went out from the Lord and devoured the 250 men who offered incense.

The Atonement for the Rebellion

36 (17:1)[aw] The Lord spoke to Moses: 37 “Tell[ax] Eleazar son of Aaron the priest to pick up[ay] the censers out of the flame, for they are holy, and then scatter the coals of fire[az] at a distance. 38 As for the censers of these men who sinned at the cost of their lives,[ba] they must be made[bb] into hammered sheets for covering the altar, because they presented them before the Lord and sanctified them. They will become a sign to the Israelites.” 39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers presented by those who had been burned up, and they were hammered out as a covering for the altar. 40 It was a memorial for the Israelites, that no outsider who is not a descendant of[bc] Aaron should approach to burn incense before the Lord, that he might not become like Korah and his company—just as the Lord had spoken by the authority[bd] of Moses. 41 But on the next day the whole community of Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the Lord’s people!”[be] 42 When the community assembled[bf] against Moses and Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting—and[bg] the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron stood before the tent of meeting.

44 The Lord spoke to Moses: 45 “Get away from this community, so that I can consume them in an instant!” But they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground.[bh] 46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take the censer, put burning coals from the altar in it, place incense on it, and go quickly into the assembly and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord—the plague has begun!” 47 So Aaron did[bi] as Moses commanded[bj] and ran into the middle of the assembly, where the plague was just beginning among the people. So he placed incense on the coals and made atonement for the people. 48 He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. 49 Now 14,700 people died in the plague, in addition to those who died in the event with Korah. 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and the plague was stopped.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 16:1 sn There are three main movements in the story of ch. 16. The first is the rebellion itself (vv. 1-19). The second is the judgment (vv. 20-35). Third is the atonement for the rebels (vv. 36-50). The whole chapter is a marvelous account of a massive rebellion against the leaders that concludes with reconciliation. For further study see G. Hort, “The Death of Qorah,” ABR 7 (1959): 2-26; and J. Liver, “Korah, Dathan and Abiram,” Studies in the Bible (ScrHier 8), 189-217.
  2. Numbers 16:1 tc The MT reading is plural (“the sons of Reuben”); the Smr and LXX have the singular (“the son of Reuben”).
  3. Numbers 16:1 tn In the Hebrew text there is no object for the verb “took.” The translation presented above supplies the word “men.” However, it is possible that the MT has suffered damage here. The LXX has “and he spoke.” The Syriac and Targum have “and he was divided.” The editor of BHS suggests that perhaps the MT should be emended to “and he arose.”
  4. Numbers 16:2 tn Heb “princes” (so KJV, ASV).
  5. Numbers 16:2 tn These men must have been counselors or judges of some kind.
  6. Numbers 16:2 tn Heb “men of name,” or “men of renown.”
  7. Numbers 16:3 tn The meaning of רַב־לָכֶם (rav lakhem) is something like “you have assumed far too much authority.” It simply means “much to you,” perhaps “you have gone to far,” or “you are overreaching yourselves” (M. Noth, Numbers [OTL], 123). He is objecting to the exclusiveness of the system that Moses has been introducing.
  8. Numbers 16:4 tn Heb “fell on his face.”
  9. Numbers 16:5 tn Heb “him.”
  10. Numbers 16:6 tn Heb “his congregation” or “his community.” The expression is unusual, but what it signifies is that Korah had set up a rival “Israel” with himself as leader.
  11. Numbers 16:10 tn The verb is the Piel perfect. There is no imperfect tense before this, which makes the construction a little difficult. If the vav (ו) is classified as a consecutive, then the form would stand alone as an equivalent to the imperfect, and rendered as a modal nuance such as “would you [now] seek,” or as a progressive imperfect, “are you seeking.” This latter nuance can be obtained by treating it as a regular perfect tense, with an instantaneous nuance: “do you [now] seek.”sn Moses discerned correctly the real motivation for the rebellion. Korah wanted to be the high priest because he saw how much power there was in the spiritual leadership in Israel. He wanted something like a general election with himself as the candidate and his supporters promoting him. The great privilege of being a Levite and serving in the sanctuary was not enough for him—the status did not satisfy him. Korah gave no rebuttal. The test would be one of ministering with incense. This would bring them into direct proximity with the Lord. If God honored Korah as a ministering priest, then it would be settled. But Moses accuses them of rebellion against the Lord, because the Lord had chosen Aaron to be the priest.
  12. Numbers 16:11 sn The question indicates that they had been murmuring against Aaron, that is, expressing disloyalty and challenging his leadership. But it is actually against the Lord that they had been murmuring because the Lord had put Aaron in that position.
  13. Numbers 16:12 tn Heb “Moses sent to summon.” The verb קָרָא (qaraʾ) followed by the ל (lamed) preposition does not mean “call to” but “summon.” This is a command performance; for them to appear would be to submit to Moses’ authority. This they will not do.
  14. Numbers 16:12 tn The imperfect tense of נַעֲלֶה (naʿaleh) expresses their unwillingness to report: “we are not willing,” or “we will not.” The verb means “to go up.” It is used in the sense of appearing before an authority or a superior (see, e.g., Gen 46:31; Deut 25:7; Judg 4:5).
  15. Numbers 16:13 tn The question is rhetorical. It was not a small thing to them—it was a big thing.
  16. Numbers 16:13 tn The modern scholar who merely sees these words as belonging to an earlier tradition about going up to the land of Canaan that flows with milk and honey misses the irony here. What is happening is that the text is showing how twisted the thinking of the rebels is. They have turned things completely around. Egypt was the land flowing with milk and honey, not Canaan where they will die. The words of rebellion are seldom original, and always twisted.
  17. Numbers 16:13 tn The verb הִשְׂתָּרֵר (histarer) is the Hitpael infinitive absolute that emphasizes the preceding תִשְׂתָּרֵר (tistarer), the Hitpael imperfect tense (both forms having metathesis). The verb means “to rule; to act like a prince; to make oneself a prince.” This is the only occurrence of the reflexive for this verb. The exact nuance is difficult to translate into English. But they are accusing Moses of seizing princely power for himself, perhaps making a sarcastic reference to his former status in Egypt. The rebels here are telling Moses that they had discerned his scheme, and so he could not “hoodwink” them (cf. NEB).
  18. Numbers 16:14 tn Here אַף (ʾaf) has the sense of “in addition.” It is not a common use.
  19. Numbers 16:14 tn Heb “will you bore out the eyes of these men?” The question is “Will you continue to mislead them?” (or “hoodwink” them). In Deut 16:19 it is used for taking a bribe; something like that kind of deception is intended here. They are simply stating that Moses is a deceiver who is misleading the people with false promises.
  20. Numbers 16:15 tn The verb means “to turn toward”; it is a figurative expression that means “to pay attention to” or “to have regard for.” So this is a prayer against Dathan and Abiram.
  21. Numbers 16:17 tn Heb “and take, a man, his censer.”
  22. Numbers 16:17 tn This verb and the following one are both perfect tenses with vav (ו) consecutives. Following the imperative they carry the same force, but in sequence.
  23. Numbers 16:19 tn This clause is clearly foundational for the clause that follows, the appearance of the Lord; therefore it should be subordinated to the next as a temporal clause (one preterite followed by another preterite may be so subordinated).
  24. Numbers 16:21 tn The verb is הִבָּדְלוּ (hibbadelu), the Niphal imperative of בָּדַל (badal). This is the same word that was just used when Moses reminded the Levites that they had been separated from the community to serve the Lord.
  25. Numbers 16:21 sn The group of people siding with Korah is meant, and not the entire community of the people of Israel. They are an assembly of rebels, their “community” consisting in their common plot.
  26. Numbers 16:22 sn It is Moses and Aaron who prostrate themselves; they have the good of the people at heart.
  27. Numbers 16:22 tn The expression “the God of the spirits of all humanity [flesh]” is somewhat difficult. The Hebrew text says אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכָל־בָּשָׂר (ʾelohe harukhot lekhol basar). This expression occurs in Num 27:16 again. It also occurs in some postbiblical texts, a fact which has prompted some scholars to conclude that it is a late addition. The words clearly show that Moses is interceding for the congregation. The appeal in the verse is that it is better for one man to die for the whole nation than the whole nation for one man (see also John 11:50).
  28. Numbers 16:22 tn The verb is the Qal imperfect יֶחֱטָא (yekhetaʾ); it refers to the sinful rebellion of Korah, but Moses is stating something of a principle: “One man sins, and will you be angry….” A past tense translation would assume that this is a preterite use of the imperfect (without vav [ו] consecutive).
  29. Numbers 16:24 tn The motif of “going up” is still present; here the Hebrew text says “go up” (the Niphal imperative—“go up yourselves”) from their tents, meaning, move away from them.
  30. Numbers 16:25 tn Heb “rose up.”
  31. Numbers 16:26 tn The word רָשָׁע (rashaʿ) has the sense of a guilty criminal. The word “wicked” sometimes gives the wrong connotation. These men were opposing the Lord, and so were condemned as criminals—they were guilty. The idea of “wickedness” therefore applies in that sense.
  32. Numbers 16:26 tn The preposition ב (bet) in this line is causal—“on account of their sins.”
  33. Numbers 16:26 sn The impression is that the people did not hear what the Lord said to Moses, but only what Moses said to the people as a result. They saw the brilliant cloud, and perhaps heard the sound of his voice, but the relaying of the instructions indicates they did not hear the actual instruction from the Lord himself.
  34. Numbers 16:27 tn The verb נִצָּבִים (nitsavim) suggests a defiant stance, for the word is often used in the sense of taking a stand for or against something. It can also be somewhat neutral, having the sense of positioning oneself for a purpose.
  35. Numbers 16:28 tn Heb “in this.”
  36. Numbers 16:28 tn The Hebrew text simply has כִּי־לֹא מִלִּבִּי (ki loʾ millibbi, “for not from my heart”). The heart is the center of the will, the place decisions are made (see H. W. Wolff, Anthropology of the Old Testament). Moses is saying that the things he has done have not come “from the will of man” so to speak—and certainly not from some secret desire on his part to seize power.
  37. Numbers 16:29 tn Heb “if like the death of every man they die.”
  38. Numbers 16:29 tn The noun is פְּקֻדָּה (pequddah, “appointment, visitation”). The expression refers to a natural death, parallel to the first expression.
  39. Numbers 16:30 tn The verb בָּרָא (baraʾ) is normally translated “create” in the Bible. More specifically it means to fashion or make or do something new and fresh. Here the verb is joined with its cognate accusative to underscore that this will be so different everyone will know it is of God.
  40. Numbers 16:30 tn The figures are personifications, but they vividly describe the catastrophe to follow—which was very much like a mouth swallowing them.
  41. Numbers 16:30 tn The word is “life” or “lifetime”; it certainly means their lives—they themselves. But the presence of this word suggests more. It is an accusative specifying the state of the subject—they will go down alive to Sheol.
  42. Numbers 16:30 tn The word “Sheol” in the Bible can be used four different ways: the grave, the realm of the departed [wicked] spirits or Hell, death in general, or a place of extreme danger (one that will lead to the grave if God does not intervene). The usage here is certainly the first, and very likely the second as well. A translation of “pit” would not be inappropriate. Since they will go down there alive, it is likely that they will sense the deprivation and the separation from the land above. See H. W. Robinson, Inspiration and Revelation in the Old Testament; N. J. Tromp, Primitive Conceptions of Death and the Netherworld in the Old Testament (BibOr 21), 21-23; and A. Heidel, The Gilgamesh Epic, especially ch. 3.
  43. Numbers 16:31 tn The initial temporal clause is standard: It begins with the temporal indicator “and it was,” followed here by the Piel infinitive construct with the preposition and the subjective genitive suffix. “And it happened when he finished.”
  44. Numbers 16:31 tn The infinitive construct with the preposition ל (lamed) functions here as the direct object of the preceding infinitive. It tells what he finished.
  45. Numbers 16:34 tn Heb “all Israel.”
  46. Numbers 16:34 tn Heb “voice.”
  47. Numbers 16:34 tn Heb “lest.”
  48. Numbers 16:35 tn For a discussion of the fire of the Lord, see J. C. H. Laughlin, “The Strange Fire of Nadab and Abihu,” JBL 95 (1976): 559-65.
  49. Numbers 16:36 sn Beginning with 16:36, the verse numbers through 17:13 in the English Bible differ from the verse numbers in the Hebrew text (BHS), with 16:36 ET = 17:1 HT, 16:37 ET = 17:2 HT, 17:1 ET = 17:16 HT, etc., through 17:13 ET = 17:28 HT. With 18:1 the verse numbers in the ET and HT are again the same. But in the English chap. 17 there are two parts: Aaron’s rod budding (1-9), and the rod preserved as a memorial (10-13). Both sections begin with the same formula.
  50. Numbers 16:37 tn Heb “say to.”
  51. Numbers 16:37 tn The verb is the jussive with a vav (ו) coming after the imperative; it may be subordinated to form a purpose clause (“that he may pick up”) or the object of the imperative.
  52. Numbers 16:37 tn The Hebrew text just has “fire,” but it would be hard to conceive of this action apart from the idea of coals of fire.
  53. Numbers 16:38 tn The expression is “in/by/against their life.” That they sinned against their life means that they brought ruin to themselves.
  54. Numbers 16:38 tn The form is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive. But there is no expressed subject for “and they shall make them,” and so it may be treated as a passive (“they shall [must] be made”).
  55. Numbers 16:40 tn Heb “from the seed of.”
  56. Numbers 16:40 tn Heb “hand.”
  57. Numbers 16:41 sn The whole congregation here is trying to project its guilt on Moses and Aaron. It was they and their rebellion that brought about the deaths, not Moses and Aaron. The Lord had punished the sinners. The fact that the leaders had organized a rebellion against the Lord was forgotten by these people. The point here is that the Israelites had learned nothing of spiritual value from the event.
  58. Numbers 16:42 tn The temporal clause is constructed with the temporal indicator (“and it was”) followed by the Niphal infinitive construct and preposition.
  59. Numbers 16:42 tn The verse uses וְהִנֵּה (vehinneh, “and behold”). This is the deictic particle—it is used to point things out, suddenly calling attention to them, as if the reader were there. The people turned to look toward the tent—and there is the cloud!
  60. Numbers 16:45 tn Heb “they fell on their faces.”
  61. Numbers 16:47 tn Heb “took.”
  62. Numbers 16:47 tn Or “had spoken” (NASB); NRSV “had ordered.”

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.