Tyndale Open Study NotesNumbers 16

Another rebellion demanded a clear separation of duties between priests and Levites. This power struggle was more serious than previous rebellions against God's authority (chapter 11; 12:1–15; 14:1–45).

In these historical events, the rebels protested minor issues and questioned their leaders' actions. Yet, Moses reminded them that they were actually rebelling against God. As a result, the Israelites suffered deadly consequences for their rebellion.

The rebels "envied Moses, as well as Aaron" (Psalm 106:16). They claimed Moses and Aaron had overstepped their authority because all Israelites were God's chosen people (Exodus 19:6). Their protest for equality against Moses and Aaron's authority probably intended to replace it with their own.

Moses … fell facedown on the ground to pray (compare 14:5; 16:22). Then he challenged Korah and his followers to a test.

Take censers: Korah and his group were to act like priests by burning incense (as in Leviticus 16:11–13). By doing this, they were claiming the right to serve as priests. God himself would decide who truly had the right to serve in that role.

Chapters 3–4 describe the special ministry duties of the Levites. Aaron's descendants had the priesthood (3:1–4). The rebels complained against the Lord, not Moses or Aaron.

land flowing with milk and honey: This phrase repeats the words the spies used earlier to describe Canaan (Numbers 13:27). In this story, however, the words are used with sarcasm.

The speakers twist the meaning on purpose. They use this phrase to describe Egypt in a positive way. This distorts the truth about life in Egypt, where the Israelites had lived as slaves (see study note on 11:4–15).

• The Israelites were leaving their new homeland because they had rebelled against Moses. He had done everything possible to bring them to that land (chapters 13–14).

• Will you gouge out the eyes of these men?: They accused Moses and Aaron of trying to mislead the Israelites.

Do not regard their offering: Compare Psalm 109:7 and Proverbs 28:9.

Moses gave final instructions for a test to see if the Lord would accept the rebels' offering or Aaron's offering.

At the height of the rebellion, the Lord intervened to save Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron then prayed for the people.

had gathered his whole assembly … at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting: This was either to watch the test or to remove Moses and Aaron from leadership.

The Lord threatened to destroy the entire community because of widespread sin (compare Genesis 18:16–33). Moses and Aaron prayed to limit the Lord's judgment to those guilty of this specific rebellion.

Do not touch anything that belongs to them: These men and their belongings were now "set apart for destruction" (see Leviticus 27:28–29; compare Deuteronomy 7:26; 13:17; Joshua 6:18; 7:1–26).

• Moses believed that God would deliver justice, and God did so (16:31–35; compare 1 Kings 18:18–40).

• into Sheol: This was the place of the dead in the Old Testament. Sheol describes the realm where people go after death (see 1 Samuel 2:6; 2 Samuel 22:5–6; Job 3:20–22; Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27–33; 1 Corinthians 15:15; Revelation 20:13–14).

Korah’s sons did not die at this time (26:10–11). Later, his descendants became gatekeepers and musicians in the temple (1 Chronicles 9:19, 31; 26:19; 2 Chronicles 20:19; see the titles of Psalms 42; 45–49; 84–85; 87–88).

The 250 Israelite leaders tried to offer incense even though they were not priests. Their fate was like that of Nadab and Abihu, who also offered unauthorized fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1–2). They also shared the same judgment as those who complained about the hardships in the wilderness (Numbers 11:1; compare 2 Kings 1:10).

Although the men who used the incense burners were wicked, the vessels themselves were holy and had to be treated with care and respect. The burning coals were also holy and had to be scattered so that they would not be used for any other purpose.

Eleazar made a bronze sheet to cover the altar, replacing or adding to the earlier one (Exodus 38:2). Like the plain blue tassels in Numbers 15:37–41, it reminded the people of Israel to obey God.

The Israelites continued their self-destructive and defiant behavior, which caused their problems. They then blamed Moses and Aaron for the events.

The glory of the LORD appeared again and threatened to destroy the people of Israel (see 16:19–20). Moses and Aaron intervened by falling facedown on the ground.

Moses and Aaron quickly acted to save the Israelites from God's anger. Aaron used an incense burner with hot coals among the people to stop the plague.