Numbers 16:2
a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly.
a rebellion against Moses,

Korah, joined by Dathan and Abiram, openly challenged the authority God had given Moses and Aaron over Israel.

Psa 106:16-18 In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron,…
Jud 1:11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain;…
Act 7:39-40 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they…

along with 250 men of Israel

The revolt drew substantial support from prominent men within the nation, showing that the opposition was organized rather than isolated.

2Sa 15:12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, …
1Ki 12:16-20 When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen…
Num 14:2-4 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron,…

renowned as leaders of the congregation

These were recognized chiefs whose influence gave the rebellion public weight and threatened to divide the people.

Num 1:16 These men were appointed from the congregation;…
Num 7:2 And the leaders of Israel, the heads of their families,…
Exo 18:25 So Moses chose capable men from all Israel…

and representatives in the assembly.

Though entrusted with responsibility among Israel, they used their standing to oppose God’s appointed leaders.

Num 1:4 And one man from each tribe, the head of each family,…
Deu 33:5 So the LORD became King in Jeshurun when…
Jdg 20:2 The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Moses is a central figure in this account, representing God's appointed leadership.

2. Korah
A Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, questioning their leadership and authority. His actions set the stage for the events in Numbers 16.

3. 250 Men of Israel
These were well-known leaders and men of renown within the Israelite community. Their involvement in the rebellion highlights the widespread nature of the dissent against Moses and Aaron.

4. The Congregation of Israel
The larger community of Israelites who were witnesses to the rebellion and its consequences. Their role is significant as they are the audience and participants in the unfolding events.

5. The Tabernacle
The central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people. It serves as a backdrop for the confrontation and subsequent judgment.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Rebellion
Rebellion against God’s appointed leaders is ultimately rebellion against God Himself. This passage warns against the pride and self-exaltation that leads to such actions.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
God appoints leaders for His purposes, and respecting their authority is crucial for maintaining order and unity within the community of believers.

The Consequences of Sin
The rebellion led by Korah and the 250 men serves as a sobering reminder of the severe consequences of sin and disobedience to God’s commands.

Community Influence
The involvement of well-known leaders in the rebellion shows how influential figures can lead others astray. It is vital to discern and follow leaders who are faithful to God’s Word.

God’s Sovereignty and Justice
God’s response to the rebellion demonstrates His sovereignty and justice, affirming that He will uphold His order and punish those who defy it.
Bible Study Questions
1. What motivated Korah and the 250 men to rebel against Moses, and how can we guard against similar attitudes in our own hearts?

2. How does the rebellion in Numbers 16 illustrate the importance of respecting God-appointed leadership in the church today?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we are following leaders who are faithful to God’s Word and not being led astray by influential figures?

4. How does the account of Korah’s rebellion connect to the warnings in Jude 1:11, and what lessons can we learn about the dangers of false teaching?

5. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced the consequences of rebellion against authority. How did it impact your understanding of God’s justice and sovereignty?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 6:16-24
Provides genealogical context for Korah, showing his lineage and connection to the tribe of Levi, which is significant in understanding his role and motivations in the rebellion.

Jude 1:11
References Korah's rebellion as a warning against rejecting God's appointed leaders, drawing a parallel to false teachers and their destructive influence.

1 Samuel 15:23
Highlights the sin of rebellion as akin to witchcraft, emphasizing the seriousness of Korah's actions against God's established order.
Korah's RebellionW. Binnie Numbers 16:1-3
The Rebellion of Korah. the Conspirators and Their PretextD. Young Numbers 16:1-3
Discontent a Rebellion Against GodJ. Burroughs.Numbers 16:1-35
Elevated Character Exposed to ViolenceT. Guthrie.Numbers 16:1-35
Envy and its Bitter FruitsE.S. Prout Numbers 16:1-35
Every Man in His PlaceJ. Parker, D. D.Numbers 16:1-35
Every Man Should Walk as He is Called of GodJ. Spencer.Numbers 16:1-35
Fatal DiscontentJ. Parker, D. D.Numbers 16:1-35
KorahR. A. Hallam, D. D.Numbers 16:1-35
Korah, Dathan, and AbiramJ. C. Gray.Numbers 16:1-35
Korah, Dathan, and AbiramIsaac Williams, B. D.Numbers 16:1-35
Korah, Dathan, and AbiramPreacher's AnalystNumbers 16:1-35
Korah, Dathan, and AbiramBp. Harvey Goodwin.Numbers 16:1-35
Korah, Dathan, and AbiramC. Kingsley, M. A.Numbers 16:1-35
Leaders of DisaffectionC. H. Mackintosh.Numbers 16:1-35
Presumptuous ServiceJ. Parker, D. D.Numbers 16:1-35
Separation for Nearness to GodC. New.Numbers 16:1-35
The Greater Our Means are to Prevent SinW. Attersoll.Numbers 16:1-35
The Privileges of the LevitesHenry, MatthewNumbers 16:1-35
The Resentment of Moses Against SinnersNumbers 16:1-35
Whatsoever Evil Men Do, They are Ready to Justify ItW. Attersoll.Numbers 16:1-35
Wicked Ambition Faith Fully RebukedW. Jones.Numbers 16:1-35
People
Aaron, Abiram, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Israelites, Izhar, Kohath, Korah, Levi, Levites, Moses, Pallu, Peleth, Reuben, Reubenites
Places
Wilderness of Paran
Topics
250, Assembly, Chiefs, Chosen, Community, Company, Congregation, Convention, Council, Elect, Face, Famous, Fifty, Hundred, Israelite, Leaders, Meeting, Members, Princes, Renown, Rise, Rose, Sons, Summoned, Well-known
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 16:1-3

     5822   criticism, against believers
     8410   decision-making, examples

Numbers 16:1-7

     8269   holiness, separation from worldly

Numbers 16:1-35

     5714   men

Numbers 16:1-50

     5550   speech, negative

Library
September 3. "The God of Israel Hath Separated You" (Num. xvi. 9).
"The God of Israel hath separated you" (Num. xvi. 9). The little plant may grow out of a manure heap, and be surrounded by filth, and covered very often with the floating dust that is borne upon the breeze, but its white roots are separated from the unclean soil, and its leaves and flowers have no affinity with the dust that settles upon them; and after a shower of summer rain they throw off every particle of defilement, and look up, as fresh and spotless as before, for their intrinsic nature cannot
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Death Swallowed up in victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! D eath, simply considered, is no more than the cessation of life --that which was once living, lives no longer. But it has been the general, perhaps the universal custom of mankind, to personify it. Imagination gives death a formidable appearance, arms it with a dart, sting or scythe, and represents it as an active, inexorable and invincible reality. In this view death is a great devourer; with his iron tongue
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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