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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Numbers 16 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/numbers/16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/numbers/16-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Numbers 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../numbers/15.htm" title="Numbers 15">◄</a> Numbers 16 <a href="../numbers/17.htm" title="Numbers 17">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/numbers/16.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Now Izhar’s son Korah, the grandson of Kohath, a descendant of Levi, along with Eliab’s sons Dathan and Abiram, and Peleth’s son On, a descendant of Reuben, took charge <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>of a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 community leaders, Israelis who were famous men and representatives from the assembly. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>They gathered together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have appropriated too much for yourselves from the entire congregation, since all of them are holy, and the LORD is among them, too. Why do you exalt yourselves over the LORD’s assembly?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>When Moses heard this, he fell on his face. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Then he addressed Korah and his entire company, “In the morning, may the LORD reveal who belongs to him and who is holy. May he cause that person<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:5 Lit. him">a</a></span> to approach him. May he cause to approach him the one whom he has chosen. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Korah, you and your entire company are to bring censers <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>and put fire and incense in them in the LORD’s presence tomorrow. It will be that the man whom the LORD chooses will be holy. You’re taking too much for yourselves, you descendants of Levi.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Moses also told Korah, “Listen now, you descendants of Levi! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Is it such an insignificant thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelis to draw you to himself, appointing you to do the work of the tent of the LORD and to stand before the community to minister to them? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>He brought you near, along with all of your relatives, the descendants of Levi. Are you also seeking the priesthood? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Therefore you and your group have conspired against the LORD and Aaron. What is it that causes you to complain against him?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>So Moses sent for Eliab’s sons Dathan and Abiram, but they responded, “We’re not coming. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Is it such an insignificant thing that you brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness? Now you’re trying to make yourself be a prince and rule over us, aren’t you? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>You still haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Do you really think that you can make these men look the other way?<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:14 Lit. men blind">b</a></span> We won’t go up.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Moses was very angry, so he told the LORD, “Please don’t accept their offering. I haven’t taken even one donkey from them nor have I hurt even one of them.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Then Moses told Korah, “You and your entire company are to present yourselves in the LORD’s presence tomorrow—you, they, and Aaron. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Each man is to take a censer, put incense on it, and bring it into the LORD’s presence, each man with his censer, for a total of 250 censers. You and Aaron are each to bring his own censer.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>So each man took his censer, put fire coals inside of it, placed incense in it, and then stood at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, accompanied by Moses and Aaron. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>When Korah had assembled the entire community in opposition to Moses and Aaron<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:19 Lit. to them">c</a></span> at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire community.</p> <p class="heading">God Vindicates Moses and Aaron</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Then the LORD told Moses and Aaron, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>“Separate yourselves from among this community, and I’ll destroy them in a moment.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Then they fell on their faces and said, “God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, will you be angry at the entire congregation on account of one man’s sin?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Then the LORD instructed Moses, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>“Tell the community to move away from where Korah, Dathan, and Abiram are living.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>So Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Then he told the community, “Move away from the camps of these wicked men and don’t touch anything that belongs to them. That way you won’t be destroyed along with all their sins.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>So they all moved away from the entire area where Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were living.</p> <p class="reg">Now Korah, Dathan, and Abiram stood at the entrance to their tents with their wives, sons, and little children. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Then Moses said, “This is how you’ll know that the LORD has sent me to do all these awesome works—they’re not coming merely from me.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:28 Lit. not of my heart">d</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>If these people die a death similar to all other human beings, or if they are punished with a punishment common to other men, then the LORD didn’t send me. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>But if the LORD creates something new,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:30 Lit. creates a creation">e</a></span> so that the ground opens its mouth and swallows them and everything that belongs to them and they all descend directly to Sheol<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:30 i.e. the realm of the dead">f</a></span> while still alive, then you’ll know that these men have spurned the LORD.”</p> <p class="heading">God Executes Korah’s Families</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Just as he finished saying all these things, the ground under them split open. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, all their households, everyone who was affiliated with Korah, and all of their property. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>So they and all that belonged to them descended alive to Sheol.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:33 i.e. the realm of the dead">g</a></span> Then the earth closed over them. That’s how they were annihilated from the assembly.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>Then all of the Israelis who were around them ran away when they heard them crying, “…so the ground won’t swallow us up, too.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>After this, fire came from the LORD and incinerated the 250 men who offered the incense.</p> <p class="heading">The Censers Used for the Altar</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span><span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:36 This v. is 17:1 in MT, 16:37 is 17:2, and so through 16:50.">h</a></span> Then the LORD instructed Moses, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>“Tell Aaron’s son Eleazar the priest to take out the censers out of the flames<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:37 Lit. from between burning">i</a></span> and scatter the coals far away, since they are holy. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>As for the censers of those rebels who died, fasten them into beaten plates to line the altar. Since they brought them into the LORD’s presence, they’re holy. They are to become a reminder<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:38 Lit. sign">j</a></span> to the Israelis.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers that had been burned and beat them into metal plates for the altar, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>to serve as a memorial to the Israelis, a reminder that no unauthorized person, who isn’t a descendant of Aaron, is to attempt<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:40 Lit. to come near">k</a></span> to burn<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:40 Lit. to sacrifice">l</a></span> incense in the LORD’S presence, so that he may not become like Korah and his group, just as the LORD had spoken by the authority<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:40 Lit. by the hand">m</a></span> of Moses.</p> <p class="heading">The Israelis Continue to Complain</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>Nevertheless, the very next day, the whole congregation of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, “You’ve killed the LORD’S people!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-42.htm"><b>42</b></a></span>When the community gathered together against Moses and Aaron, they turned toward the Tent of Meeting. All of a sudden, a cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-43.htm"><b>43</b></a></span>Then Moses and Aaron entered the Tent of Meeting.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-44.htm"><b>44</b></a></span>The LORD told Moses, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-45.htm"><b>45</b></a></span>“Leave this community, so I can annihilate them in a moment.”</p> <p class="reg">But they fell upon their faces. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-46.htm"><b>46</b></a></span>Then Moses told Aaron. “Take the censer, put fire on it from the altar, and burn some incense. Then walk quickly to the congregation and atone for them, because wrath has already come out from the LORD—the plague has begun.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-47.htm"><b>47</b></a></span>So Aaron took the censer,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="16:47 The Heb. lacks the censer">n</a></span> just as Moses had spoken, and ran out to the center of the assembly, where a plague had begun among the people. He set the incense on fire and atoned for the people. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-48.htm"><b>48</b></a></span>He stood between the dead and the living and restrained the plague. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-49.htm"><b>49</b></a></span>Those who died due to the plague numbered 14,700, not counting those who died due to the matter with Korah.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/16-50.htm"><b>50</b></a></span>Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting after the slaughter had been restrained.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 16:5 Lit. <i>him</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 16:14 Lit. <i>men blind</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 16:19 Lit. <i>to them</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 16:28 Lit. <i>not of my heart</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 16:30 Lit. <i>creates a creation</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 16:30 i.e. the realm of the dead<br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 16:33 i.e. the realm of the dead<br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 16:36 This v. is 17:1 in MT, 16:37 is 17:2, and so through 16:50.<br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 16:37 Lit. from <i>between burning</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 16:38 Lit. <i>sign</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 16:40 Lit. <i>to come near</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 16:40 Lit. to <i>sacrifice</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 16:40 Lit. <i>by the hand</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 16:47 The Heb. lacks <i>the censer</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../numbers/15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../numbers/17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/numbers/16-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>