Numbers 16 - Introduction
The date of this rebellion cannot be determined, but Numbers 16:13 probably point to a period not much later than that of the rebellion at Kadesh.... [ Continue Reading ]
The date of this rebellion cannot be determined, but Numbers 16:13 probably point to a period not much later than that of the rebellion at Kadesh.... [ Continue Reading ]
Amram and Izhar were brothers (compare Exodus 6:18), and thus Korah, the “son,” i. e. descendant of Izhar, was connected by distant cousinship with Moses and Aaron. Though being a Kohathite, he was of that division of the Levites which had the most honorable charge, yet as Elizaphan, who had been ma... [ Continue Reading ]
The “princes” appear to have belonged to the other tribes (compare Numbers 27:3).... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE CONGREGATION ARE HOLY - Compare the marginal reference. Korah’s object was not to abolish the distinction between the Levites and the people, but to win priestly dignity for himself and his kinsmen Numbers 16:10. This ultimate design is masked for the present in order to win support from the... [ Continue Reading ]
“Seemeth” is not in the original. Render it as: Is it too little for you, i. e. “is it less than your dignity demands?”... [ Continue Reading ]
The words of Moses in his wrath are broken. The Aaronic priesthood was of divine appointment; and thus in rejecting it, the conspirators were really rebelling against God.... [ Continue Reading ]
With perverse contempt for the promises, Dathan and Abiram designate Egypt by the terms appropriated elsewhere to the land of Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
WILT THOU PUT OUT THE EYES OF THESE MEN? - i. e. “blind them to the fact that you keep none of your promises;” “throw dust in their eyes.”... [ Continue Reading ]
The tent, “the tabernacle” of Korah, as a Kohathite, stood on the south side of the tabernacle of the Lord; and those of Dathan and Abiram, as Reubenites, in the outer line of encampment on the same side. Yet though the tents of these three were thus contiguous, they did not share the same fate. Kor... [ Continue Reading ]
STOOD IN THE DOOR OF THEIR TENTS - Apparently in contumacious defiance.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE MEN ... - Not his sons (see Numbers 26:11), but all belonging to him who had associated themselves with him in this rebellion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare the marginal references The fire came out from the sanctuary or the altar.... [ Continue Reading ]
Aaron as High Priest and as one of those that offered incense Numbers 16:17, could not be defiled by going among the dead. The censers were not to be used again for censers, nor the coals on them for kindling the incense to be offered before the Lord. Yet neither of them could fittingly be employed... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE SINNERS AGAINST THEIR OWN SOULS - That is, “against their own lives.” By their sin they had brought destruction upon themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY FELL UPON THEIR FACES - In intercession for the people; compare Numbers 16:22; Numbers 14:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CENSER - Rather, the censer. i. e. that of the high priest which was used by him on the great Day of Atonement: compare Leviticus 16:12; Hebrews 9:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
A striking proof of the efficacy of that very Aaronic priesthood which the rebels had presumed to reject. The incense offering which had brought down destruction when presented by unauthorised hands, now in the hand of the true priest is the medium of instant salvation to the whole people. Aaron by... [ Continue Reading ]