Numbers 16
New English Translation
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] 2 and rebelled against Moses, along with some of the Israelites, 250 leaders[d] of the community, chosen from the assembly,[e] famous men.[f] 3 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?”
4 When Moses heard it he fell down with his face to the ground.[h] 5 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. 6 Do this, Korah, you and all your company:[j] Take censers, 7 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!” 8 Moses said to Korah, “Listen now, you sons of Levi! 9 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
- 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.
- Numbers 16:1 tc The MT reading is plural (“the sons of Reuben”); the Smr and LXX have the singular (“the son of Reuben”).
- 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.”
- Numbers 16:2 tn Heb “princes” (so KJV, ASV).
- Numbers 16:2 tn These men must have been counselors or judges of some kind.
- Numbers 16:2 tn Heb “men of name,” or “men of renown.”
- 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.
- Numbers 16:4 tn Heb “fell on his face.”
- Numbers 16:5 tn Heb “him.”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- Numbers 16:13 tn The question is rhetorical. It was not a small thing to them—it was a big thing.
- 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.
- 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).
- Numbers 16:14 tn Here אַף (ʾaf) has the sense of “in addition.” It is not a common use.
- 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.
- 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.
- Numbers 16:17 tn Heb “and take, a man, his censer.”
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Numbers 16:22 sn It is Moses and Aaron who prostrate themselves; they have the good of the people at heart.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
- Numbers 16:25 tn Heb “rose up.”
- 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.
- Numbers 16:26 tn The preposition ב (bet) in this line is causal—“on account of their sins.”
- 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.
- 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.
- Numbers 16:28 tn Heb “in this.”
- 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.
- Numbers 16:29 tn Heb “if like the death of every man they die.”
- Numbers 16:29 tn The noun is פְּקֻדָּה (pequddah, “appointment, visitation”). The expression refers to a natural death, parallel to the first expression.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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.
- Numbers 16:34 tn Heb “all Israel.”
- Numbers 16:34 tn Heb “voice.”
- Numbers 16:34 tn Heb “lest.”
- 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.
- 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.
- Numbers 16:37 tn Heb “say to.”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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”).
- Numbers 16:40 tn Heb “from the seed of.”
- Numbers 16:40 tn Heb “hand.”
- 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.
- Numbers 16:42 tn The temporal clause is constructed with the temporal indicator (“and it was”) followed by the Niphal infinitive construct and preposition.
- 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!
- Numbers 16:45 tn Heb “they fell on their faces.”
- Numbers 16:47 tn Heb “took.”
- Numbers 16:47 tn Or “had spoken” (NASB); NRSV “had ordered.”
Numbers 16
King James Version
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:
2 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:
3 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?
4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
5 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.
6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
7 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.
8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
9 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.
Numeri 16
BasisBijbel
Korach, Datan en Abiram komen in opstand tegen Mozes en Aäron
16 Korach, de zoon van Jizhar, die een zoon was van Kehat, uit de stam van Levi, kwam tegen Mozes in opstand. Datan en Abiram (zonen van Eliab), en On (de zoon van Pelet), alle drie uit de stam van Ruben, deden met hem mee. 2 Er sloten zich nog 250 andere mannen bij hen aan. Het waren allemaal leiders van het volk, belangrijke mannen. Met z'n allen gingen ze naar Mozes en Aäron. 3 Ze dromden bij hen samen en zeiden tegen hen: "We hebben er genoeg van dat jullie vinden dat jullie onze leiders zijn. Want het hele volk is van God, en niet alleen maar jullie. De Heer woont bij het hele volk. Waarom moeten jullie dan zo nodig onze leiders zijn?" 4 Toen Mozes dat hoorde, liet hij zich voor de Heer op de grond vallen. 5 En hij zei tegen Korach en alle mannen die met hem meededen: "Morgenvroeg zal de Heer laten weten wie Hij heeft uitgekozen om Hem te dienen. En alleen hij zal Hem mogen dienen. 6 Doe het volgende: breng allemaal een vuurpan, jij, Korach, en iedereen die met je is meegekomen. 7 Doe daar vuur in en leg er wierook voor de Heer op. Dan zal de Heer aanwijzen wie Hem mag dienen. Wees hier tevreden mee, Levieten!"
8 Verder zei Mozes: "Luister, Levieten! 9 Zijn jullie dan niet tevreden met de speciale taak die God jullie heeft gegeven? Hij heeft jullie uit het volk Israël uitgekozen om bij Hem te mogen komen. Jullie mogen Hem dienen bij de tent van ontmoeting. Jullie staan daar namens het volk. 10 Vinden jullie dat niet genoeg? Hij heeft jullie en alle andere Levieten uitgekozen om bij Hem te mogen komen! Willen jullie nu óók nog allemaal priester zijn? 11 Wat jullie hier doen, is een opstand tegen de Heer Zelf. Want jullie mopperen wel tegen Aäron, maar eigenlijk mopperen jullie tegen de Heer. Want wie is Aäron nu eigenlijk?"
12 Toen stuurde Mozes iemand om Datan en Abiram, de zonen van Eliab, te halen. Maar ze zeiden: "We komen niet. 13 Je doet alsof het niet erg is dat jij ons hebt weggehaald uit een prachtig en vruchtbaar land, om ons te laten sterven in de woestijn. En nu wil je ons ook nog bevelen geven? 14 Je hebt ons helemaal niet naar een prachtig en vruchtbaar land gebracht. Je hebt ons helemaal geen akkers en wijngaarden gegeven. Je kan ons niets meer wijsmaken. We komen niet." 15 Toen werd Mozes woedend en hij zei tegen de Heer: "Let morgen niet op hun offer, Heer! Ik heb nog nooit één ezel van hen gestolen, of iemand van hen kwaad gedaan en toch durven ze zó tegen mij te spreken!"
16 En Mozes zei tegen Korach: "Kom morgen met alle mannen die bij je horen bij de Heer. Jij, zij en Aäron! 17 Kom allemaal met je eigen vuurpan. Leg er wierook in en bied het de Heer aan. Iedereen moet de Heer zijn eigen vuurpan aanbieden: 250 vuurpannen. Jullie komen allemaal met je eigen vuurpan. Ook Aäron zal met zijn eigen vuurpan komen." 18 Toen kwamen ze allemaal met hun eigen vuurpan. Ze deden er vuur in en legden er wierook op. Daarmee gingen ze bij de ingang van de tent van ontmoeting staan, bij Mozes en Aäron. 19 Toen Korach met al zijn mannen naar Mozes en Aäron was gekomen bij de tent van ontmoeting, verscheen de stralende aanwezigheid van de Heer. Het hele volk zag Hem. 20 En de Heer zei tegen Mozes en Aäron: 21 "Ga ver bij dit volk vandaan staan, want Ik zal hen in één ogenblik verbranden." 22 Toen lieten ze zich voor God op de grond vallen en zeiden: "Heer, God van alle mensen, U wil toch niet het hele volk straffen omdat één man ongehoorzaam is?" 23 De Heer zei tegen Mozes: 24 "Zeg dan tegen het volk: Ga weg bij de tenten van Korach, Datan en Abiram."
25 Toen ging Mozes met de leiders van het volk naar de tenten van Datan en Abiram. 26 En hij zei tegen het volk: "Ga weg bij de tenten van deze mannen die zich niets van God aantrekken. Raak niets aan wat van hen is. Anders sterven jullie ook, door hún ongehoorzaamheid." 27 Toen gingen de mensen weg uit de buurt van de tenten van Korach, Datan en Abiram. Datan en Abiram kwamen naar buiten en gingen bij hun tenten staan, met hun vrouwen, zonen en kleine kinderen. 28 Toen zei Mozes: "Nu zullen jullie weten dat ik er niet zelf voor heb gekozen om jullie leider te worden, maar dat de Heer wil dat ik al deze dingen doe. 29 Als deze mensen op dezelfde normale manier sterven als alle andere mensen, heeft de Heer mij niet gestuurd. 30 Maar als de Heer iets zal doen wat nog nooit is gebeurd, dan weten jullie dat deze mensen de Heer woedend hebben gemaakt. Dan zal de grond opengaan en hen opslokken met alles wat ze hebben. Ze zullen levend naar het dodenrijk gaan." 31 Hij had dit nog maar net gezegd, of de grond scheurde onder hen open 32 en slokte de drie mannen op met hun gezinnen en met alles wat ze bezaten. 33 Zo gingen ze levend naar het dodenrijk. En de aarde ging boven hen dicht en ze waren verdwenen. 34 De Israëlieten die om hen heen stonden, vluchtten weg toen ze hen hoorden schreeuwen. Want ze waren bang dat zij óók door de aarde opgeslokt zouden worden. 35 Daarna kwam er vuur van de Heer op de 250 mannen die de schalen met wierook hadden geofferd en verbrandde hen allemaal.
De vuurpannen
36 Toen zei de Heer tegen Mozes: 37 "Zeg tegen Eleazar, de zoon van de priester Aäron, dat hij de vuurpannen uit het vuur moet halen. Het vuur en de wierook daarin moet hij ver weg gooien, maar de pannen zijn voor Mij. 38 Want omdat het offer aan Mij aangeboden was, zijn de pannen nu van Mij. De mannen die tegen Mij in opstand kwamen, hebben er met hun leven voor betaald. Sla de pannen tot dunne platen. Bedek daarmee het altaar. Zo zijn die pannen een waarschuwing voor de Israëlieten." 39 Toen nam de priester Eleazar de koperen vuurpannen van de mannen die verbrand waren. Hij maakte er dunne platen van en bedekte daarmee het altaar. 40 Dat was om de Israëlieten te helpen onthouden dat, behalve de familie van Aäron, niemand anders een wierook-offer bij de Heer mag brengen. Want dan zou hun hetzelfde overkomen als Korach en de mannen die met hem meededen.
God straft het volk met een ziekte omdat het blijft mopperen
41 Maar de volgende ochtend mopperde het hele volk van de Israëlieten tegen Mozes en Aäron: "Jullie hebben het volk van de Heer gedood."[a] 42 Toen de mensen naar Mozes en Aäron dromden bij de tent van ontmoeting, daalde de wolk van de Heer neer. Zijn stralende aanwezigheid bedekte de tent. 43 Mozes en Aäron gingen naar de ingang van de tent van ontmoeting. 44 En de Heer zei tegen Mozes: 45 "Ga weg bij dit volk, want Ik ga hen in één ogenblik doden." Toen lieten ze zich voor de Heer op de grond vallen. 46 En Mozes zei tegen Aäron: "Neem snel een vuurpan, doe er vuur van het altaar in, leg er wierook op en ga snel naar het volk. Vraag daar aan de Heer om vergeving voor hen. Want de Heer is vreselijk boos op hen geworden en straft hen al. Want er is een gevaarlijke ziekte uitgebroken." 47 Aäron nam een vuurpan en ging er haastig mee tussen de mensen staan. Want er was een vreselijke ziekte onder de mensen uitgebroken. Hij legde er wierook op en vroeg daarmee aan de Heer om vergeving voor het volk. 48 Toen hij zo tussen de levenden en doden stond, hield de ziekte op. 49 Er waren 14.700 mensen aan de ziekte gestorven. De mannen die samen met Korach waren gedood, waren daar niet bij meegeteld. 50 Toen Aäron terugkwam bij Mozes bij de ingang van de tent van ontmoeting, was de ziekte opgehouden.
Footnotes
- Numeri 16:41 Met 'het volk van de Heer' worden de Levieten bedoeld.
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
© stichting BasisBijbel 2013 Gecorrigeerde tekst © 2015 Alle rechten voorbehouden Uitgegeven bij de ZakBijbelBond: 2016