Numbers 16:20-35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 16:12-22

Here is, I. The insolence of Dathan and Abiram, and their treasonable remonstrance. Moses had heard what Korah had to say, and had answered it; now he summons Dathan and Abiram to bring in their complaints (Num. 16:12); but they would not obey his summons, either because they could not for shame say that to his face which they were resolved to say, and then it is an instance of some remains of modesty in them; or, rather, because they would not so far own his authority, and then it is an... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 16:23-34

We have here the determining of the controversy with Dathan and Abiram, who rebelled against Moses, as in the next paragraph the determining of the controversy with Korah and his company, who would be rivals with Aaron. It should seem that Dathan and Abiram had set up a spacious tabernacle in the midst of the tents of their families, where they kept court, met in council, and hung out their flag of defiance against Moses; it is here called the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, Num.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 16:35-40

We must now look back to the door of the tabernacle, where we left the pretenders to the priesthood with their censers in their hands ready to offer incense; and here we find, I. Vengeance taken on them, Num. 16:35. It is probable that when the earth opened in the camp to swallow up Dathan and Abiram a fire went out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men that offered incense, while Aaron that stood with them was preserved alive. This punishment was not indeed so new a thing as the former, for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 16:20

And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron ,.... Out of the cloud: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 16:21

Separate yourselves, from among this congregation ,.... Not only from Korah's company, but from the congregation of the children of Israel, whom Korah had got together, besides the two hundred fifty men that were at first with him; who by their words and behaviour, and particularly by their association and standing along with him, showed them to be on his side, which greatly provoked the Lord: that I may consume them in a moment ; by fire from him, as the two hundred fifty men were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 16:22

And they fell upon their faces ,.... That is, Moses and Aaron, in order to deprecate the wrath of God, and beseech him to avert the threatened judgment; and so the Targum of Jonathan has it,"they bowed themselves in prayer upon their faces;" and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh ; the Maker of all men, as of their bodies, which are flesh, so of their souls or spirits, which are immaterial and immortal; hence he is called "the Father of spirits", Hebrews 12:9 , who, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 16:23

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... When on his face in prayer, and bid him rise up, and told him he had granted his request, and then spoke to him: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 16:24

Speak unto the congregation ,.... Not to Korah's company, but to the people of Israel, of the several tribes that were assembled together: saying, get ye up from about the tabernacle of Korah, and Dathan, and Abiram ; which was either the same with their tents, as in Numbers 16:26 ; though, as they were of different tribes, Korah of the tribe of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram of the tribe of Reuben, their tents must be in distinct and different places, though both encamped on the same... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 16:25

And Moses rose up ,.... Either from the ground, upon which he fell on his face, or from the seat on which he sat at the door of the tabernacle; though he seems to have stood there; it may be, it only signifies that he obeyed the divine order, and went about it directly, as often in Scripture persons are said to arise, when they go about any thing they are directed, or choose to do: and went unto Dathan and Abiram ; to endeavour to convince them of their evil, and bring them to repentance... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 16:26

And he spake unto the congregation ,.... To the people of Israel assembled together on this occasion: some, out of ill will to Moses and Aaron, inclining to the side of Korah and his accomplices, and some out of curiosity to see the issue of this affair saying, depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men ; these turbulent, seditious, and ill-designing men, disturbers of the commonwealth and church of Israel, enemies to the peace of its civil and ecclesiastic state: and when... read more

Group of Brands