Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryNumbers 16

Numbers 16:1 – Korah, Dathan, and Abiram This section describes the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron. Unlike earlier complaints from ordinary people, this revolt was started by important leaders and men of influence. Korah, a close relative of Moses, was the main leader. Dathan and Abiram were from the tribe of Reuben, which may have felt jealous because of its lost status. The rebellion included 250 respected leaders. Their pride and ambition led them to challenge God’s chosen leaders, showing that even those with high positions can cause great trouble if they are not humble.v. 1-2: Korah, a cousin of Moses, led the rebellion. Dathan, Abiram, and On, who were leaders from the tribe of Reuben, joined him (Num. 16:1 ). Many of the rebels were well-known and respected men—“men of renown.” This made their actions even more serious, because people expected them to set a good example (Num. 16:2 ). Their positions made it easier for them to influence others. The story of On ends here, suggesting he may have left the group early.

v. 3: The rebels accused Moses and Aaron of taking too much authority for themselves. They said the whole community was holy and did not need special leaders. They claimed God was with everyone, so no one should have more power than the rest (Num. 16:3 ). This ignored the many times the people had sinned and needed leaders to pray for them. They also forgot that Moses and Aaron were chosen by God, not by themselves (Heb. 5:4 ). Sometimes, people who want “equality” are really motivated by jealousy and ambition.

v. 4: When Moses heard their complaint, he fell on his face to pray (Num. 16:4 ). This showed his humility and his desire to seek God’s guidance instead of defending himself. True leaders turn to God first, especially in difficult times (Num. 14:5 ).

v. 5-7: Moses agreed to let God decide who should serve as priest. He told Korah and his followers to come the next day with their censers and offer incense before the Lord

v. 8-10: Moses spoke directly to the Levites, reminding them that they already had special jobs serving in the tabernacle. He pointed out that being chosen as Levites was a great honor, and they should not be jealous of the priesthood (Num. 16:8-10 ). We should be grateful for the privileges God gives us, instead of always wanting more.

v. 11: Moses explained that their rebellion was really against God, not just against Aaron. When we complain about God’s arrangements or those He appoints, we are actually complaining against God Himself (Num. 16:11 ). Moses reminded them that Aaron was simply doing what God told him to do.

Numbers 16:12 – Dathan and Abiram’s Rebellion This section describes the insolence and rebellion of Dathan and Abiram against Moses. When Moses summoned them to address their complaints, they refused to come and instead sent a disrespectful message accusing Moses of wrongdoing. Their accusations were unfair and twisted the truth, showing how pride and rebellion can blind people. Moses responded with prayer and a firm challenge, asking God to judge between him and his accusers.v. 12-14: Moses called for Dathan and Abiram, but they refused to come. They accused Moses of leading them away from Egypt, which they mockingly called “a land flowing with milk and honey,” and bringing them to die in the wilderness. They claimed Moses had failed to bring them into the promised land, even though it was their own disobedience that caused their punishment. They also accused Moses of trying to make himself a ruler over them and “put out their eyes,” meaning they thought he was misleading them (Num. 16:12-14 ). These accusations were unfair, as Moses had faithfully followed God’s instructions and had no selfish ambition.

v. 15: Moses became very angry because their accusations were false and insulting. He prayed to God, asking Him not to accept their offerings. Moses defended his integrity, saying he had not taken anything from them or harmed them in any way (Num. 16:15 ). This shows that even the meekest people, like Moses, can feel righteous anger when falsely accused.

v. 16-17: Moses challenged Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their followers to present themselves before the Lord

v. 18-19: Korah and his followers accepted the challenge and brought their censers to the tabernacle. Korah also gathered the entire congregation to witness the event. This showed his pride and confidence, but he did not realize that he was inviting judgment upon himself. The glory of the Lord

v. 20-21: God told Moses and Aaron to separate themselves from the congregation so He could destroy them all instantly. This shows how serious rebellion against God’s chosen leaders is and how sin spreads among a group (Num. 16:20-21 ).

v. 22: Moses and Aaron prayed earnestly for the people, asking God not to punish the entire congregation for the sins of one man. They called God “the God of the spirits of all flesh,” acknowledging His ability to judge fairly and differentiate between the guilty and the innocent (Num. 16:22 ). This intercession shows their love and concern for the people, even those who had turned against them.

Numbers 16:23 – God Judges Dathan and Abiram This section explains how God decided the case of Dathan and Abiram, who had rebelled against Moses. While Korah and his followers challenged Aaron at the tabernacle, Dathan and Abiram stayed in their own tents and continued to defy Moses. God was about to show everyone that He supported Moses and that rebellion against His chosen leaders brings serious consequences.

v. 24-25: God told Moses to warn the people to move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This was God’s answer to Moses’ prayer that not everyone would be destroyed. The people had to separate themselves from the rebels to avoid sharing in their punishment (Num. 16:24-25 ). Moses even went down personally to the rebels' tents to warn them, showing humility and care for those in danger.

v. 26: Moses told the people to get away from the tents of these “wicked men” and not to touch anything that belonged to them, so they would not also be punished. This was a way for the people to show that they did not support the rebellion. God’s people are often called to separate from evil so they are not caught up in its judgment (Num. 16:26; Rev. 18:4 ).

v. 27: The congregation listened and moved away from the rebels’ tents, but Dathan and Abiram, along with their families, stood at the doors of their tents. This showed how stubborn and fearless they were, even when facing God’s judgment (Num. 16:27 ).

v. 28-30: Moses announced that if Dathan and Abiram died a normal death, then he was not sent by God. But if the earth opened up and swallowed them, it would prove that they had rejected God Himself. This was a special and miraculous sign, so everyone would know that Moses was truly God’s servant (Num. 16:28-30 ).

v. 31-33: As soon as Moses finished speaking, the ground split open and swallowed Dathan, Abiram, their families, and all their possessions. The earth closed over them, and they were gone. This was a unique and terrifying judgment from God, showing that He can use any part of creation to punish sin (Num. 16:31-33 ).

v. 34: All the Israelites ran away in fear when they heard the cries of those being swallowed up. They were afraid the earth would swallow them, too. This judgment was meant to be a serious warning to everyone else (Num. 16:34 ).

Numbers 16:35 – The Fate of Korah and the 250 Men This section tells what happened to Korah and the 250 men who tried to take the priesthood. While Dathan and Abiram were punished by the earth swallowing them, Korah and the other men who offered incense were punished by fire from the Lord

v. 37-40: God told Eleazar, Aaron’s son, to collect the censers from the burned men because they had been used for a holy purpose (Num. 16:37 ). He was to scatter the remaining fire and incense in an unclean place, showing that God rejected their offerings. The censers were then hammered into plates to cover the altar, serving as a permanent reminder to the Israelites not to try to take the priesthood for themselves (Num. 16:38-40 ). This sign helped future generations remember to respect God’s order and not act with pride.

Numbers 16:41 – Israel’s New Rebellion and the Plague This section describes how, the very next day after God’s judgment on Korah and his followers, the Israelites complained again against Moses and Aaron. Even after seeing such a great warning, the people accused Moses and Aaron of killing “the people of the Lord

v. 42-43: The people gathered against Moses and Aaron. When they looked toward the tabernacle, the glory of the Lord

v. 44-45: God told Moses and Aaron to move away from the people because He was about to destroy them all at once with a plague (Num. 16:44-45 ). This shows the seriousness of rebellion and how it brings danger to the whole group.

v. 46-48: Moses and Aaron prayed for the people. Aaron quickly took a censer with incense and ran into the middle of the congregation to make atonement. He stood “between the living and the dead,” and the plague stopped (Num. 16:46-48 ). Aaron’s actions showed courage, love, and the special role God gave him as priest. He was a picture of Christ, who stands between sinners and God’s judgment.

v. 49: Even though Aaron acted quickly, the plague killed 14,700 people before it was stopped (Num. 16:49 ). This was a much greater number than those who died with Korah, showing how serious it is to rebel against God’s order.

v. 50: After the plague was stopped, Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tabernacle (Num. 16:50 ). God’s mercy was shown by stopping the plague and saving the rest of the people, even though they did not deserve it. This teaches us that prayer and intercession can bring mercy even after judgment has started.