Numbers 16:3

Translations

Modern

They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

Traditional

And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?

Literal

And they gathered together against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “It is too much upon yourselves! For all the congregation, everyone of them, is holy, and YHWH is in their midst. And why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of YHWH?”

Latin

Cumque stetissent adversum Moysen et Aaron, dixerunt: Sufficiat vobis, quia omnis multitudo sanctorum est, et in ipsis est Dominus: cur elevamini super populum Domini?

Original

Hebrew

English

They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

Notes

Numbers 16:3

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.

Numbers 16:1–17:13

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Apostasy Remove the Evil Retribution The Dangers of Sin

Related verses

Psalm 106:16
In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.
Exodus 19:6
And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Numbers 14:14
And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Acts 7:51
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
Numbers 16:7
…and tomorrow you are to place fire and incense in them in the presence of the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. It is you sons of Levi who have taken too much upon yourselves!”
Exodus 29:45–46
Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.
Numbers 14:1–4
Then the whole congregation lifted up their voices and cried out, and that night the people wept.
Isaiah 1:11–16
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
Acts 7:39
But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
Numbers 12:1–2
Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife.
Numbers 35:34
Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”
Psalm 68:17
The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Aaron Aaron’s Rod Abiram Congregation Courts and Trials Dathan Deuteronomy, Book of Eliab Izhar Jude, Letter of Kadesh, Kadesh-Barnea Korah Numbers, Book of Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Aaron: Murmured Against, by the People Ambition: Korah Ambition: Korah and his Co-Conspirators Church of Israel was Relatively Holy Conspiracy: Miriam and Aaron, Against Moses Dathan: A Conspirator Against Moses Envy: Korah Envy: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, of Moses False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Moses by Korah Israel: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Returned by the Way to the Red Sea: Rebellion of Korah Murmuring of Israelites Against Moses Presumption: Korah Presumption: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Presumptions Priests: Punishment for Invading the office of Self-Exaltation: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning The Levites: Punishment of Korah and Others of, for offering Incense Treason of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Against Moses and Aaron Usurpation of Executive Power: Moses Accused of

Numbers 16:3

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

People

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics