Numbers 16:1-11
All the congregation is holy
Two hundred and fifty men of renown stand with him. Moses answers by pointing out that Korah already has the thing he is demanding, and asks whether he is now seeking the priesthood too.
People of the Bible
Korah
Said that the whole congregation was holy, which was true, and used it to take something that was not his.
Korah is a Levite, already set apart, already working around the tabernacle. With two hundred and fifty leaders behind him he stands up and tells Moses and Aaron they have gone too far, because all the congregation is holy and the LORD is among them, so why lift yourselves above the assembly. Moses falls on his face and then proposes a test with censers. In the morning the ground opens under the tents of the ringleaders, and fire takes the two hundred and fifty men holding fire they were not given.
Scroll down to the storyThe movements, in the order the text gives them.
The story of Korah
- 01
- 02
Numbers 16:23-35
The earth opened
The camp is told to stand clear. The ground splits under the households of Dathan and Abiram, and fire goes out to the men holding censers at the door of the tent.
- 03
Numbers 16:41-50
Between the dead and the living
The morning after, the people accuse Moses of killing the LORD’s people. A plague begins and Aaron runs into the middle of the crowd with incense and stops it where he stands.
- 04
Numbers 17:1-11
The rod that budded
Twelve staffs are left overnight in front of the ark. Aaron’s has buds, blossoms and ripe almonds on it by morning, and it is kept as a sign so the argument does not have to be had again.
Why it matters
The argument Korah makes is quoted almost word for word from things God had already said about Israel. It is a rebellion built entirely out of true statements, which is what makes it worth recording. The sequel matters as much: the next day the people blame Moses for the deaths, a plague starts, and Aaron runs into the middle of it with a censer. And the sons of Korah do not die. Eleven psalms carry their name.
2 songs
The music
Every song in the catalogue whose passage falls inside these chapters.
