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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
16:1-50 The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This story heads a section concerned with demonstrating the privileges and mediatorial role of the priesthood. It begins with Korah overemphasizing one truth to the exclusion of others (which is what heretics and founders of cults commonly do). He claims that since "all in the congregation are holy," all have equal access to God (v. 3). As a result, he and his followers demand that they should have all the privileges of priests, to enter God's presence in the tabernacle itself. But God judged them swiftly, and the final episode ends with all the people crying out in fear, "we perish," and, "Everyone who comes near . . . to the tabernacle . . . shall die" (17:12, 13). They have learned that only the priests may approach the tabernacle, and this protects the rest of the nation from death. This is outlined in the laws of ch. 18, which explain how the tribe of Levi has this vital role (18:1-7), and that the tithes and sacrificial portions that they receive are a reward for their important and dangerous service (18:8-32).
16:1-15 The Complaints of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. After the leaders of the revolt are introduced (vv. 1-2), Korah targets his complaint against Aaron's high priesthood (vv. 3-11), and then the scene switches to Dathan and Abiram, who grumble about leaving the comforts of Egypt for death in the wilderness (vv. 12-15).
16:1 Korah was a Levite (but not a priest) from the Kohathite clan. They camped near the tribe of Reuben (2:10-11; 3:29), from which the other leaders (Dathan, Abiram, and On) came. This could explain their collaboration. On is not mentioned later in the story.
16:3 The claim that all . . . are holy could be based on the repeated call in the law to be holy (e.g., Lev. 11:45; 19:2; Num. 15:40). But this ethical holiness is not identical with priestly holiness, which confers the right to approach God in the offering of sacrifice and incense. When the Kohathites claim that Moses and Aaron exalt themselves, they show that they have missed the point, not understanding that the priesthood is a matter of God's own appointment (cf. Heb. 5:4).
16:8-11 The Levites already enjoy great privileges in serving in the tabernacle, so they should not seek the priesthood also (v. 10).
16:12-15 The Reubenite complaint is somewhat different from Korah's. Korah's people object to dying in the wilderness instead of in Canaan or Egypt. This is rebellion against God's will and purpose akin to that provoked by the spies. The Reubenites died in a plague (14:37). Korah's people will perish in even more spectacular fashion.
16:15 I have not taken one donkey from them. As Samuel would do later (see 1 Sam. 12:3-5), Moses professes that he is innocent of misusing his office for personal gain (see notes on 1 Sam. 8:3; 8:14-15; 12:3-6).
16:16-19, 35-40 The Death of the Kohathite Supporters of Korah. For a similar judgment on the unauthorized offering of incense, see Lev. 10:1-3.
16:20-34 The Death of the Ringleaders and Their Families. And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up. God executes swift judgment on those who thought they could assume the privileges of priesthood for themselves. Sheol (v. 33) is the place of the dead, often pictured as being under the earth (Gen. 37:35; Ps. 6:5; 9:17; Isa. 14:9-20).
16:24 Get away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This ominous warning builds suspense among the entire people of Israel, and especially among these three men and their families. God is preparing to punish them and affirm the leadership of Moses in a dramatic, public way.
16:33 and the earth closed over them. The judgment from God was swift and absolute. The form in which the judgment occurred also may have given a symbolic hint of their future condition, away from the presence of the Lord.
16:35 fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men. See note on v. 33. God brings swift judgment, showing that no one should presume to come before his presence without God's own authorization (but cf. Heb. 10:19 with regard to believers in the new covenant).
16:39-40 A covering for the altar is mentioned in Ex. 38:2. This new one may have replaced or been put on top of the old one. It served as a reminder that no outsider . . . should draw near to burn incense.
16:41-50 Judgment Averted by Aaron. If the previous episode showed that non-priests offering incense provoked divine judgment, then this one shows that priests are indeed appointed to minister atonement. The plague provoked by the protest of all the congregation was stopped by Aaron holding a censer and standing between the dead and the living (v. 48).
