THE REBELLION OF KOKAH, DATHAN, ABIBAM, AND ON This incident is similar to that recorded in Numbers 12, and while it illustrates the difficulties Moses encountered in his leadership, owing to the jealousy of those under him, it served to confirm him (Numbers 16:28) and Aaron (a 17) in the position a... [ Continue Reading ]
TO KORAH] not to Dathan and Abiram, whose rebellion is distinct from this: see above.... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST THE LORD] not merely against Aaron, of whose privileges Koran and his company are envious. 13. Dathan and Abiram are envious of the position of Moses. They complain that, instead of bringing them into a land flowing with milk and honey, as he had led them to believe he would do, he was taki... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT OUT THE EYES OF THESE MEN] blind them to the real state of matters. The English equivalent would be to 'throw dust in the eyes.'... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE CONGREGATION] This shows the serious nature of Korah's rebellion. The people were in sympathy with it. The claim put forward by Korah was plausible, and flattered the multitude: see Numbers 16:3. 22. The God of the spirits of all flesh must know the thoughts and intents of the heart and be... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH SENT ME] i.e. Moses. Dathan's rebellion is directed against Moses as that of Korah against Aaron. On the sending of Moses see Exodus 3. NOT.. OF MINE OWN MIND] The mark of the true messenger or prophet of God is that he does not speak of his own initiative: cp. Numbers 24:13; 1 Kings 22:13; Jer... [ Continue Reading ]
QUICK] i.e. alive. THE PIT] Heb. _Sheol_, usually rendered 'the grave.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR HOUSES] their households, as in Numbers 1:2; Genesis 7:1. The sons of Korah, however, did not perish: see Numbers 26:11. 36-39. The censers used by Korah and his company are collected and made into a covering for the altar, as a memorial of their sin and punishment, and a warning to others ag... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ALTAR] the altar of burnt offering, which was overlaid with brass: see on Exodus 31:1. 41-50. The people now turn upon Moses and charge him with being the occasion of this calamity. Their unreasonable murmuring is punished with a plague, which is only stayed by means of the intervention of the... [ Continue Reading ]