Numbers 16:5 - He said to Korah and to all his company, “In the morning, Yahweh will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to him. Even him whom he shall choose, he will cause to come near to him.
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What does "Numbers 16:5" mean?
Numbers 16:5 is a pivotal verse in the story of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron's leadership in the wilderness. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context is Key: Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On (from the tribe of Reuben), plus 250 prominent Israelites, challenged Moses and Aaron's authority. They argued that all the congregation was holy and deserved equal access to God. They questioned why Moses and Aaron were elevated above the rest.
"He said to Korah and to all his company": This sets the scene. Moses is responding to the challenge to his and Aaron's leadership. "His company" refers to those who joined Korah in his rebellion.
"In the morning, Yahweh will show who are his, and who is holy": Moses is proposing a test. He is asserting that it is not up to them to decide who is holy or who is fit to serve God. Instead, Yahweh (God) will make it clear whom He has chosen and set apart. This implies that holiness is not something they can claim for themselves, but rather a status conferred by God.
"and will cause him to come near to him": "Coming near" in this context likely refers to serving God in the tabernacle, especially in the roles traditionally held by the priests. It indicates privileged access and closeness to God.
"Even him whom he shall choose, he will cause to come near to him": This emphasizes God's sovereign choice. It reinforces that God will choose whom He desires and grant them access to serve Him. It underscores that leadership and access to God are not based on popular demand, personal ambition, or perceived equality, but on God's own will.
In essence, Numbers 16:5 is Moses's challenge to Korah and his followers, proposing a test to reveal God's chosen leaders. It highlights the following important points:
God's Authority: God is the ultimate authority in determining who is holy and who is fit to serve Him.
Divine Choice: Leadership and access to God are not based on human claims but on God's sovereign choice.
Testing of Legitimacy: This verse sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, where God's judgment will reveal the validity of Moses and Aaron's leadership and expose the falseness of Korah's rebellion.
The events that follow (burning incense and the earth swallowing up the rebels) demonstrate God's confirmation of Aaron's priesthood. The verse is, therefore, a crucial turning point in the narrative, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting God's chosen leaders and the order He has established.
Numbers 16:5 - He said to Korah and to all his company, “In the morning, Yahweh will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to him. Even him whom he shall choose, he will cause to come near to him.
What does "Numbers 16:5" mean?
Numbers 16:5 is a pivotal verse in the story of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron's leadership in the wilderness. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context is Key: Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On (from the tribe of Reuben), plus 250 prominent Israelites, challenged Moses and Aaron's authority. They argued that all the congregation was holy and deserved equal access to God. They questioned why Moses and Aaron were elevated above the rest.
"He said to Korah and to all his company": This sets the scene. Moses is responding to the challenge to his and Aaron's leadership. "His company" refers to those who joined Korah in his rebellion.
"In the morning, Yahweh will show who are his, and who is holy": Moses is proposing a test. He is asserting that it is not up to them to decide who is holy or who is fit to serve God. Instead, Yahweh (God) will make it clear whom He has chosen and set apart. This implies that holiness is not something they can claim for themselves, but rather a status conferred by God.
"and will cause him to come near to him": "Coming near" in this context likely refers to serving God in the tabernacle, especially in the roles traditionally held by the priests. It indicates privileged access and closeness to God.
"Even him whom he shall choose, he will cause to come near to him": This emphasizes God's sovereign choice. It reinforces that God will choose whom He desires and grant them access to serve Him. It underscores that leadership and access to God are not based on popular demand, personal ambition, or perceived equality, but on God's own will.
In essence, Numbers 16:5 is Moses's challenge to Korah and his followers, proposing a test to reveal God's chosen leaders. It highlights the following important points:
God's Authority: God is the ultimate authority in determining who is holy and who is fit to serve Him.
Divine Choice: Leadership and access to God are not based on human claims but on God's sovereign choice.
Testing of Legitimacy: This verse sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, where God's judgment will reveal the validity of Moses and Aaron's leadership and expose the falseness of Korah's rebellion.
The events that follow (burning incense and the earth swallowing up the rebels) demonstrate God's confirmation of Aaron's priesthood. The verse is, therefore, a crucial turning point in the narrative, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting God's chosen leaders and the order He has established.