Numbers 16:1--18:32
Korah <07141> [Korah.]
son ..... son ..... son ......... sons ...... son ...... Reubenites <01121 07205> [sons of Reuben.]
took <03947> [took men.]
As the word men is not in the text, some read "took counsel;" and some "took courage." Houbigant renders {yikkach, rebellionem fecerunt,} "they rebelled;" which scarcely any rule of criticism can ever justify. Dr. Geddes' translation is, "Another insurrection was raised against Moses by Korah," etc. Others think that it may mean, "behaved with insolence." But, as Dr. A. Clarke observes, the verb {wyyikkach,} "and he took" which though at the end of the sentence in English, is the first word in Hebrew, is not in the plural, but the singular; and hence cannot be applied to the acts of all these chiefs. In every part of the Scripture, where this rebellion is referred to, it is attributed to Korah, therefore the verb here belongs to him; and the whole verse should be translated, "Now Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, he took even Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, son of Peleth, son of Reuben, and they rose up," etc.; reading, with some MSS., the Samaritan, and Septuagint, {ben,} son, instead of {beney,} sons.
chosen <07148> [famous.]
assembled <06950> [gathered.]
too much ........ community <07227 05712> [Ye take too much upon you. Heb. It is much for you. all the.]
Lord ................ Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
holy <06918> [who is holy.]
approach ............ approach <07126> [will cause.]
chosen <0977> [even him.]
man <0376> [that the man.]
too much <07227> [too much.]
seem <04592> [Seemeth it but.]
separated <0914> [separated.]
seek <01245> [and seek.]
Lord <03068> [against.]
Aaron <0175> [what is Aaron.]
small <04592> [a small.]
land <0776> [out of a.]
kill <04191> [to kill.]
us ..... Now do ... want ... make yourself ... prince over us <08323> [thou make.]
Moreover <0637> [Moreover.]
blind <05365> [put out. Heb. bore out.]
very angry <02734 03966> [very wroth.]
respect <06437> [Respect.]
taken <05375> [I have not.]
Though Moses was their ruler, under God, yet, so far from oppressing them, he had not imposed the smallest tax, nor taken, as a present, so much as an ass from one of them. The common present that is now made to the great, in these countries, is a horse; but there is reason to believe, that an ass might formerly have answered the same purpose. "If it is a visit of ceremony from a {bashaw,}" says Dr. Russell, "or other person in power, a fine horse, sometimes with furniture, or some such valuable present, is made to him at his departure." As asses were esteemed no dishonourable beasts for the saddle, Sir. J. Chardin, in his MS., supposes, that when Samuel disclaimed having taken the ass of any one, (1 Sa 12:3,) he is to be understood of not having taken any ass for his riding. In the same light, he considers this similar declaration of Moses. His reason is "asses being then esteemed very honourable creatures for riding on, (ch. 22:21, 30. Jud 5:10. 2 Sa 16:2,) as they are at this very time in Persia, being rode with saddles."
company <05712> [Be thou.]
before <06440> [before.]
Korah <07141> [Korah.]
glory <03519> [and the glory.]
Separate <0914> [Separate.]
consume <03615> [that I may.]
threw <05307> [they fell.]
God <0430> [the God.]
one man sins <0376 02398 0259> [one man sin.]
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. There, as in the place of rendezvous, Dathan and Abiram stayed, when Korah and his friends went up to the tabernacle of the Lord, waiting the issue of their trial; but here we are told how they had their business done, before that trial was over. God will take what method he pleases in his judgments.
Move ..... tents <05493 0168> [Depart, I pray you.]
The rebels, with all that belonged to them, were, as an accursed thing, devoted to utter destruction. (Le 27:28, 29. Jos 7:13-15, 23-26.) The people therefore were forbidden to touch anything belonging to them; that they might enter a solemn protest against their wickedness, acknowledge the justice of their punishment, and express their fear of being involved in it.
stationed <05324> [and stood.]
know <03045> [Hereby.]
<03820> [for I have.]
{Kee lo millibbee,} "and that not out of my heart." It was not of my own device or contrivance. It was not out of an ambitious desire to be great myself that I took upon me the government, nor out of private affection to my brother, that I appointed him and his family to the priesthood.
<03820> [of mine.]
death <04194> [the common, etc. Heb. as every man dieth. visited.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
something entirely new <01254 01278> [make a new thing.]
Heb. create a creature; {w‰im beriah yivra Yehowah,} "And if Jehovah should create a creation," i.e., do such a thing as was never done before.
down <03381> [and they.]
earth <0776> [the earth.]
men <0120> [all the.]
pit <07585> [into the.]
perished <06> [they perished.]
fled <05127> [fled.]
earth <0776> [Lest.]
out <03318> [And there.]
250 <03967> [two hundred.]
censers <04289> [the censers.]
holy <06942> [hallowed.]
{Kadashoo,} consecrated, i.e., to the service of God, though in this instance, improperly employed.
sinned <02400> [sinners.]
sign <0226> [a sign.]
who .......................... just <0834 0376> [that no.]
approach <07126> [come near.]
next day <04283> [on the morrow.]
It is not unlikely, that the people persuaded themselves that Moses and Aaron had used some cunning in this business and that the earthquake and fire were artificial; for, had they discerned the hand of God in this punishment, they would scarcely have dared the anger of the Lord in the very face of his justice. And while they thus absurdly imputed this judgement to Moses and Aaron, they impiously called the persons, thus perishing in their rebellion, "the people of the Lord!"
community <05712> [all the.]
killed <04191> [Ye have.]
community <05712> [when the.]
glory <03519> [the glory.]
away <07426> [Get you up.]
threw ... down <05307> [And they.]
<06440> [from off.]
put ......... place <05414 07760> [and put.]
atonement <03722> [an atonement.]
wrath <07110> [there is wrath.]
plague ... begun <05063 02490> [the plague is begun.]
God now punished them by a secret blast, so as to put the matter beyond dispute; His hand, and His alone, was seen, not only in the plague, but in the manner in which the mortality was arrested. It was necessary that it should be done in this way, that the whole congregation might see that these men who had perished were not "the people of the Lord," and that God, not Moses and Aaron, had destroyed them.
ran <07323> [and ran.]
plague <05063> [and behold.]
placed <05414> [and he put.]
What the plague was we know not; but it seems from this to have begun at one part of the camp, and to have proceeded regularly onward.
14,700 <0505 0702> [fourteen thousand.]
staff .... tribe ........ staffs .......... staff <04294> [a rod.]
The word {matteh} signifies a staff, or sceptre, which the prince or chief of each tribe bore, and which was the sign of office or royalty among almost all the people of the earth.
leader <05387> [all their princes.]
staff .... tribe ....... twelve staffs .......... staff <08147 04294> [twelve rods.]
choose <0977> [Whom I.]
blossom <06524> [blossom.]
rid <07918> [I will.]
murmur <03885> [they murmur.]
leaders ..... staff one ... each leader ..... tribes ... staffs ... staff ....... staffs <05387 0259 04294> [a rod a-piece, for each prince one. Heb. a rod for one prince, a rod for one prince. See on ver.]
staff ... Aaron <0175 04294> [the rod of Aaron.]
This fact was so unquestionably miraculous, that no doubt could remain on the minds of the people, or the envious chiefs, of the divine appointment of Aaron: and as there were buds, blossoms, and fruit on the rod at the same time, which was never the case with branches in the natural and ordinary course, this evidently proved the miracle, and took away all suspicion of the fraud which has been impiously suggested, that Moses had taken away Aaron's rod in the night time, and put a living branch of an almond tree in the room of it. A sceptre or staff of office resuming its vegetative life, was considered an absolute impossibility among the ancients; and as they were accustomed to swear by their sceptres, this circumstance was added to confirm the oath.
sprouted <06524> [budded.]
Bring Aaron's <07725 0175> [Bring Aaron's.]
sign <0226> [for a token.]
rebels <04805> [rebels. Heb. children of rebellion.]
bring <03615> [and thou.]
die <01478> [Behold.]
die <01478> [we die.]
{Gawanoo,} "we expire:" it signifies not so much to die simply, as to feel an extreme difficulty in breathing, which producing suffocation, ends at last in death. See the folly and extravagance of this sinful people, in thus rebelling against the authority of those whom Jehovah had appointed to be their rulers.
comes close <07131> [Whosoever.]
comes close <07131> [any thing.]
<08552> [consumed.]
Aaron ..... sons .................. sons <0175 01121> [Aaron, Thou.]
bear ............... bear <05375> [shall bear.]
To counterbalance the high honour conferred on Aaron and his family, and to allay the fears and abate the envy of the people, it is here declared, that the priest must bear the blame of everything which was not properly conducted in the sanctuary.
join ..... minister <03867 08334> [joined unto thee.]
There is a fine paronomasia in the original. Levi is desired from {lawah,} to join, couple, associate; hence Moses says, the Levites {yillawoo,} "shall be joined," or associated, with the priests: they shall conjointly perform the sacred office, but the priests shall be principal, the Levites their associates or assistants.
minister ............ before <08334 06440> [minister.]
sons <01121> [but thou.]
near <07126> [only they.]
die <04191> [neither.]
unauthorized <02114> [a stranger.]
You ... be responsible <08104> [And ye.]
wrath <07110> [no wrath.]
chosen <03947> [And I.]
chosen <03947> [I have.]
given <05414> [given.]
sons <01121> [Therefore thou.]
<01004> [within.]
service <05656> [as a service.]
unauthorized <02114> [the stranger.]
responsibility <04931> [the charge.]
priestly portion <04888> [by reason.]
grain offering <04503> [every meat.]
purification <02403> [every sin.]
reparation offering <0817> [every trespass.]
most holy ........... holy <06944> [In the.]
male <02145> [every male.]
raised <08641> [the heave.]
Israelites ........... sons <01121> [unto thee.]
clean <02889> [every one.]
best .... olive oil ..... best <03323 02459> [best of the oil. Heb. fat.]
first fruits <07225> [the first-fruits.]
first ripe fruit <01061> [whatsoever.]
clean <02889> [every one.]
firstborn <06363> [openeth.]
firstborn sons ....... firstborn <01060> [the firstborn.]
redeemed ..... redeem <06299> [shalt thou redeem.]
Redemption of the firstborn is one of the rites which are still practised among the Jews. According to Leo of Modena, it is performed in the following manner:--When the child is thirty days old, the father sends for one of the descendants of Aaron: several persons being assembled on the occasion, the father brings a cup, containing several pieces of gold and silver coin. The priest then takes the child into his arms, and addressing himself to the mother, he says, "Is this thy son?" Mother. "Yes." Priest. "Hast thou never had another child, male or female, a miscarriage, or untimely birth?" Mother. "No." Priest. "This being the case, this child, as firstborn, belongs to me." Then turning to the father, he says, "If it be thy desire to have this child, thou must redeem it." Father. "I present thee with this gold and silver for this purpose." Priest. "Thou dost wish, therefore, to redeem this child?" Father. "I do wish so to do." The priest then turning himself to the assembly, says, "Very well: this child, as first-born, is mine; as it is written in Bemidbar, (ch. 18:16,) Thou shalt redeem the first-born of a month old for five shekels; but I shall content myself with this in exchange." He then takes two gold crowns, or thereabouts, and returns the child to his parents.
according to your estimation <06187> [according.]
twenty <06242> [which is.]
firstborn <01060> [the firstling.]
redeem .................. splash <06299 02236> [thou shalt.]
raised offerings <08641> [the heave.]
covenant <01285> [it is a.]
inheritance <05157> [Thou shalt have.]
The principal part of what was offered to God was the portion of the priests; who had no inheritance of land in Israel. The Rabbins say, 24 gifts were given to the priests; all of which are expressed in the law. Eight were only eaten in the sanctuary: 1. The flesh of the sin-offering. (Le 6:25, 26.) 2. The flesh of the trespass-offering. (Le 7:1, 6.) 3. The peace-offering of the congregation. (Le 23:19, 20.) 4. The remainder of the sheaf. ( Le 23:10.) 5. The remnants of the meat-offerings. (Le 6:16.) 6. The two loaves. (Le 23:17.) 7. The shew-bread. (Le 24:9.) 8. The log of oil offered by the leper. (Le 14:10.) Five they ate only at Jerusalem: 1. The breast and shoulder of the peace-offerings. (Le 7:31-34.) 2. The heave-offering of confession. (Le 7:12-14.) 3. The heave-offering of the Nazarite's ram. (Le 6:17-20.) 4. The firstling. (ch. 18:15.) 5. The first-fruits. (18:13.) Five were due to them only in the land of Israel: 1. The heave-offering of first-fruits. (ver. 12.) 2. Of the tithe. (ver. 28.) 3. The cake. (ch. 15:20.) 4. The first of the fleece. (De 18:4.) 5. The field of possession. (ch. 35.) Five were due both within and without the land: 1. The gifts of slain beasts. (De 18:3.) 2. The redemption of the first-born. (ver. 15.) 3. The lamb for a firstling ass. (Ex 4:20.) 4. That taken by violence from a stranger. (ch. 5:8.) 5. All devoted things. One was from the sanctuary, the skins, etc. (Le 7:8.)
inheritance <05157> [no inheritance.]
portion ......... portion <02506> [I am thy part.]
tithes <04643> [the tenth.]
service ...... service <05656> [even the service.]
approach <07126> [come nigh.]
bear ... sin <02399 05375> [bear sin.]
die <04191> [and die. Heb. to die.]
But ..... perform ... service <05656 05647> [do the service.]
among <08432> [among.]
offer <07311> [then ye shall.]
tithe ............................ tenth .... tithe <04643> [a tenth part.]
grain <01715> [as though.]
grain <01715> [the corn.]
give <05414> [and ye shall.]
best <02459> [best. Heb. fat.]
best <02459> [the best.]
be credited <02803> [then it shall.]
place <04725> [in every.]
wages <07939> [your reward.]
bear <05375> [bear.]
profane <02490> [pollute.]
