Numbers 16 tells the story of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron's authority. Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On (and 250 other leaders), challenged Moses' leadership, claiming that all the congregation was holy and that Moses had improperly exalted himself. God intervened dramatically.
The verse in question, Numbers 16:49, reads: "Now those who died by the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides those who died about the matter of Korah."
Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Now those who died by the plague...": After God had already judged Korah and his immediate followers (Dathan, Abiram, and On, plus the 250 leaders, through different means - the earth swallowing them up and fire consuming the 250), the people began to complain and murmur against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the Lord's people. God then sent a plague (a deadly disease) as punishment for their continued rebellion.
"...were fourteen thousand and seven hundred...": This states the number of people who died as a direct result of the plague.
"...besides those who died about the matter of Korah.": This is a crucial point. It indicates that the 14,700 did not include those who died during the initial judgment of Korah's rebellion. The deaths "about the matter of Korah" refers to:
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On, who were swallowed by the earth.
The 250 leaders who offered incense and were consumed by fire.
Potentially, any others immediately related to the original rebels.
Therefore, the verse is emphasizing the extent of God's judgment. First, there was a specific and dramatic intervention against the leaders of the rebellion. Then, when the people failed to learn their lesson and continued to rebel, a further, widespread plague was sent, claiming a massive number of additional lives. The verse makes clear that the 14,700 were in addition to those who had already perished.
In summary: This verse underscores the severity of the rebellion against God's chosen leaders (Moses and Aaron) and the consequences of disobedience. The people, instead of repenting after witnessing God's initial judgment, doubled down in their complaining, leading to an even greater loss of life through the plague. The number 14,700 highlights the vast number that perished due to the plague on the people.
Numbers 16 tells the story of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron's authority. Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On (and 250 other leaders), challenged Moses' leadership, claiming that all the congregation was holy and that Moses had improperly exalted himself. God intervened dramatically.
The verse in question, Numbers 16:49, reads: "Now those who died by the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides those who died about the matter of Korah."
Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Now those who died by the plague...": After God had already judged Korah and his immediate followers (Dathan, Abiram, and On, plus the 250 leaders, through different means - the earth swallowing them up and fire consuming the 250), the people began to complain and murmur against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the Lord's people. God then sent a plague (a deadly disease) as punishment for their continued rebellion.
"...were fourteen thousand and seven hundred...": This states the number of people who died as a direct result of the plague.
"...besides those who died about the matter of Korah.": This is a crucial point. It indicates that the 14,700 did not include those who died during the initial judgment of Korah's rebellion. The deaths "about the matter of Korah" refers to:
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On, who were swallowed by the earth.
The 250 leaders who offered incense and were consumed by fire.
Potentially, any others immediately related to the original rebels.
Therefore, the verse is emphasizing the extent of God's judgment. First, there was a specific and dramatic intervention against the leaders of the rebellion. Then, when the people failed to learn their lesson and continued to rebel, a further, widespread plague was sent, claiming a massive number of additional lives. The verse makes clear that the 14,700 were in addition to those who had already perished.
In summary: This verse underscores the severity of the rebellion against God's chosen leaders (Moses and Aaron) and the consequences of disobedience. The people, instead of repenting after witnessing God's initial judgment, doubled down in their complaining, leading to an even greater loss of life through the plague. The number 14,700 highlights the vast number that perished due to the plague on the people.
