And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
Complete Jewish Bible:
However, as the community was assembling against Moshe and Aharon, they looked in the direction of the tent of meeting and saw the cloud cover it and the glory of ADONAI
Berean Standard Bible:
But when the congregation gathered against them, Moses and Aaron turned toward the Tent of Meeting, and suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared.
American Standard Version:
And it came to pass, when the congregation was assembled against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tent of meeting: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of Jehovah appeared.
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.
And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.
¶ And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.
But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 16:42
1. Themes:
- Rebellion and Authority: Numbers 16:42 reflects the broader context of the chapter, where Korah and other leaders challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. This verse captures the climax of the confrontation, highlighting the theme of divine authority versus human rebellion.
- Divine Presence and Judgment: The appearance of the cloud and the glory of the Lord signify God's presence and serve as a visual manifestation of His judgment. It underscores the theme that God will defend His chosen leaders and uphold His established order.
- Vindication of the Faithful: Moses and Aaron are vindicated by God's intervention, reinforcing the theme that faithfulness to God's calling will be honored, even in the face of opposition.
2. Historical Context:
- The Israelites are in the wilderness, having escaped slavery in Egypt, and are on their way to the Promised Land. The events in Numbers 16 occur during the second year of their journey (Numbers 10:11-12).
- The congregation, stirred by Korah and others, is in a state of rebellion against Moses and Aaron, questioning their leadership and the priesthood's exclusivity.
- The Tabernacle is the central place of worship for the Israelites, and its covering by the cloud signifies God's protective presence over it.
- This event is part of a series of challenges and trials that the Israelites face in the wilderness, testing their faith and obedience to God's commands as mediated through Moses.
In summary, Numbers 16:42 captures a moment of divine intervention in response to a leadership challenge, emphasizing the themes of authority, divine presence, and the vindication of God's chosen servants within the historical context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H5712 There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עֵדָה Transliteration: ʻêdâh Pronunciation: ay-daw' Description: feminine of עֵד in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd); assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare עֵדָה.
Strong's Number: H6950 There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: קָהַל Transliteration: qâhal Pronunciation: 'kaw-hal' Description: a primitive root; to convoke; assemble (selves) (together), gather (selves) (together).
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.
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.
Strong's Number: H6437 There are 128 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: פָּנָה Transliteration: pânâh Pronunciation: paw-naw' Description: a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.; appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early).
Strong's Number: H168 There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֹהֶל Transliteration: ʼôhel Pronunciation: o'-hel Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.
Strong's Number: H4150 There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מוֹעֵד Transliteration: môwʻêd Pronunciation: mo-ade' Description: or מֹעֵד; or (feminine) מוֹעָדָה; (2 Chronicles 8:13), from יָעַד; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally ayear; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand); appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).
Strong's Number: H6051 There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עָנָן Transliteration: ʻânân Pronunciation: aw-nawn' Description: from עָנַן; a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud; cloud(-y).
Strong's Number: H3680 There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: כָּסָה Transliteration: kâçâh Pronunciation: kaw-saw' Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.
Strong's Number: H3519 There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: כָּבוֹד Transliteration: kâbôwd Pronunciation: kaw-bode' Description: rarely כָּבֹד; from כָּבַד; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness; glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).
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.
Strong's Number: H7200 There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: רָאָה Transliteration: râʼâh Pronunciation: raw-aw' Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.