(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
Korach assembled all the group who were against them at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then the glory of ADONAI appeared to the whole assembly.
When Korah had gathered his whole assembly against them at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the whole congregation.
And Korah assembled all the congregation against them unto the door of the tent of meeting: and the glory of Jehovah appeared unto all the congregation.
And Korah{H7141} gathered{H6950} all the congregation{H5712} against them unto the door{H6607} of the tabernacle{H168} of the congregation{H4150}: and the glory{H3519} of the LORD{H3068} appeared{H7200} unto all the congregation{H5712}.
1. Themes:
- Rebellion against Authority: Numbers 16:19 is part of the narrative concerning Korah's rebellion, a key theme being the challenge to the authority of Moses and Aaron. This reflects a broader theme in the Bible about respecting God-ordained leadership.
- Divine Glory and Judgment: The appearance of the Lord's glory underscores His presence among His people and serves as a prelude to His judgment. It signifies that the rebellion is not just against human leaders but against God Himself.
- Communal Responsibility: The gathering of the entire congregation at the door of the tabernacle highlights the communal nature of the Israelites' religious life and the impact of individual actions on the whole community.
2. Historical Context:
- The incident occurs during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, after the exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land.
- Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram (Reubenites), and 250 leaders of the community, challenge Moses' leadership, questioning why he and Aaron had elevated themselves above the rest of the congregation.
- The rebellion is a critical moment of testing for the Israelites, as they are called to choose between following their human leaders, who are divinely appointed, and succumbing to the temptation of rebellion and self-governance.
- The narrative reflects the broader context of establishing the priestly and leadership roles within the Israelite community, with God confirming the unique roles of Moses and Aaron through His response to the rebellion.
In summary, Numbers 16:19 captures a moment of significant challenge to Moses' authority, with Korah's rebellion serving as a backdrop for divine intervention and judgment. It emphasizes themes of leadership, divine presence, and the consequences of disobedience within the covenant community of ancient Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)