Numbers 16

1. Korah. Korah was cousin to Moses and Aaron: see Exod. vi. 18, 20, 21. The Kohathites and the Reubenites, having their camps near to each other (ii. 10; iii. 29), could the more easily conspire together; and the princes of Reuben, as descendants of Jacob’s eldest son, might be displeased at losing the precedence usually connected with the birthright. On is not mentioned afterwards; perhaps he withdrew from the conspiracy.

2 famous in the congregation. Rather, “called to the assembly” (R.V.); see i. 16.

4 fell upon his face. Under an overwhelming sense of the evil of this matter: see xiv. 5; Numb. xvi. 4, 22; xx. 6.

5 to-morrow. This delay gave time for reflection and repentance. The words, “The LORD will show who are His,” are quoted from the Septuagint, in 2 Tim. ii. 19.

6. Take you censers. Assume the office which you claim, that we may see whom the Lord will choose.

7 too much. Retorting their charge against himself (ver. 3); as Elijah threw back Ahab’s: see 1 Kings xviii. 17, 18.

11 what is Aaron? i.e., your rebellion is not so much against Aaron as God, who gave him the office to which you aspire. Cp. Exod. xvi. 8.

13 a land that floweth, etc. Applying to Egypt the Divine description of the promised land: see Exod. iii. 8; Lev. xx. 24.

14 wilt thou put out the eyes, etc.? i.e., “dost thou think to blind us to thy treachery?”

15. I have not taken one ass. As many rulers would. Cp. 1 Sam. xii. 3; Acts xx. 33.

19 gathered all the congregation. Probably not absolutely all the people. But the whole narrative shows that many were inclined to side with the conspirators; from whom, however, they separated themselves when the danger became imminent. See vers. 27, 41.

30 quick. Here and elsewhere in Scripture in its old English sense, meaning alive. Cp. Psa. iv. 15; cxxiv. 3, etc.

32 that appertained unto. Or, “took part with.” Some, at least, of his family, who probably remained in his tent in the Kohathites’ quarters, were not involved in his doom; for the prophet Samuel, and the singers his descendants, were of this family. See xxvi. 11, and cp. 1 Sam. i. 1 with 1 Chron. vi. 33-38. See also title of Psa. lxxxiv.

35 a fire from the Lord. As Nadab and Abihu had been destroyed (Lev. x. 2).

38 souls. Or, “lives” (R.V.).

a sign, etc. To keep the people in mind of the fate of the conspirators, and tend to prevent rebellion.

39 wherewith they. Rather, “which they” (R.V.).

48 the plague was stayed. The efficacy of Aaron’s interposition was a further attestation of his Divine commission. He is here a type of Christ; who, by His atonement and intercession, has averted from all who live by Him the penalty which their sins have deserved (Heb. vii. 22-26).