Numbers 16:1 - Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took some men.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Numbers 16:1" mean?
Numbers 16:1 introduces the key players in a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Let's break it down:
"Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi...": This identifies Korah's lineage. He was a Levite, specifically from the Kohathite clan. The Kohathites had prestigious roles, carrying the Ark of the Covenant during their travels. The fact that Korah was a Levite is important because he was already a religious leader; he wasn't an outsider.
"...with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben...": These men were from the tribe of Reuben. Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob, so in theory, he should have had the birthright of leadership. However, Reuben lost this right due to his actions. The Reubenites might have felt slighted that leadership had passed to Moses, who was from the tribe of Levi.
"...took some men.": This is where the verse gets vague but is also crucial. The Hebrew word translated as "took" can have different nuances. It could mean:
"Gathered" or "assembled": They recruited followers and organized a group.
"Took" or "seized": They might have taken men by force or through coercion.
"Drew aside": This suggests they persuaded or seduced men to join their cause, possibly through secret meetings and whispered grievances.
In summary, the verse sets the stage for a major conflict by introducing a coalition of leaders from two different tribes (Levi and Reuben) who gathered followers for a purpose that the next verses will reveal—a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron.
Why is this important?
Authority Challenge: It shows a direct challenge to the authority of Moses and Aaron, who were appointed by God.
Tribal Tensions: It highlights potential tensions between different tribes, particularly Levi (religious authority) and Reuben (loss of birthright).
Ambition and Jealousy: It suggests that the rebels might have been motivated by ambition, jealousy, and a desire for power.
Spiritual Significance: The story serves as a warning against questioning God's chosen leaders and the dangers of pride and rebellion.
Numbers 16:1 - Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took some men.
What does "Numbers 16:1" mean?
Numbers 16:1 introduces the key players in a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Let's break it down:
"Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi...": This identifies Korah's lineage. He was a Levite, specifically from the Kohathite clan. The Kohathites had prestigious roles, carrying the Ark of the Covenant during their travels. The fact that Korah was a Levite is important because he was already a religious leader; he wasn't an outsider.
"...with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben...": These men were from the tribe of Reuben. Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob, so in theory, he should have had the birthright of leadership. However, Reuben lost this right due to his actions. The Reubenites might have felt slighted that leadership had passed to Moses, who was from the tribe of Levi.
"...took some men.": This is where the verse gets vague but is also crucial. The Hebrew word translated as "took" can have different nuances. It could mean:
"Gathered" or "assembled": They recruited followers and organized a group.
"Took" or "seized": They might have taken men by force or through coercion.
"Drew aside": This suggests they persuaded or seduced men to join their cause, possibly through secret meetings and whispered grievances.
In summary, the verse sets the stage for a major conflict by introducing a coalition of leaders from two different tribes (Levi and Reuben) who gathered followers for a purpose that the next verses will reveal—a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron.
Why is this important?
Authority Challenge: It shows a direct challenge to the authority of Moses and Aaron, who were appointed by God.
Tribal Tensions: It highlights potential tensions between different tribes, particularly Levi (religious authority) and Reuben (loss of birthright).
Ambition and Jealousy: It suggests that the rebels might have been motivated by ambition, jealousy, and a desire for power.
Spiritual Significance: The story serves as a warning against questioning God's chosen leaders and the dangers of pride and rebellion.