Numbers 16:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI said to Moshe and Aharon,

Berean Standard Bible:

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

American Standard Version:

And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD^{H3068} spake^{H1696} unto Moses^{H4872} and unto Aaron^{H175}, saying^{H559},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 16:20

Numbers 16:20 is part of the narrative concerning the rebellion of Korah, a Levite, and his associates against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. This verse is situated within the broader context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. The verse itself is a pivotal point in the story, as it marks the direct involvement of the Lord in response to the rebellion.

In the historical context, Korah, along with Dathan and Abiram, and 250 influential Israelite leaders, challenged Moses and Aaron's authority, particularly questioning why Moses had elevated himself above the congregation of the Lord. They accused Moses of leading the people to die in the wilderness and asserted that all the congregation was holy, not just Moses and Aaron.

In Numbers 16:20, the Lord commands Moses and Aaron to separate themselves from the assembly, so that He might swiftly execute judgment upon the rebels. This verse highlights several key themes: the sovereignty and holiness of God, the importance of respecting divinely appointed leadership, and the consequences of rebellion against God's chosen representatives. The verse also underscores the theme of God's protection over His faithful servants, as Moses and Aaron are instructed to distance themselves from the impending judgment.

The immediate response from the Lord through this verse foreshadows the dramatic events that follow, where God's power is displayed in the punishment of the rebels, thereby affirming Moses' and Aaron's leadership and reiterating the importance of maintaining the proper order and hierarchy established by God within the Israelite community.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
4. Strong's Number: H175
   There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
   Pronunciation: a-har-one'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
   
5. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.