Numbers 16:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who [are] his, and [who is] holy; and will cause [him] to come near unto him: even [him] whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then he said to Korach and his whole group, "In the morning, ADONAI will show who are his and who is the holy person he will allow to approach him. Yes, he will bring whomever he chooses near to himself.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses, He will bring near to Himself.

American Standard Version:

and he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, In the morning Jehovah will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he shall choose will he cause to come near unto him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he spake^{H1696} unto Korah^{H7141} and unto all his company^{H5712}, saying^{H559}, Even to morrow^{H1242} the LORD^{H3068} will shew^{H3045} who are his, and who is holy^{H6918}; and will cause him to come near^{H7126} unto him: even him whom he hath chosen^{H977} will he cause to come near^{H7126} unto him.

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Commentary for Numbers 16:5

Numbers 16:5 is part of the narrative concerning the rebellion of Korah, a Levite, and his associates against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. This event occurs during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The verse captures a moment in the confrontation where Moses, speaking on behalf of God, challenges Korah and his followers, asserting that the Lord will make it clear who is truly chosen and holy, granting them the privilege of coming near to God's presence.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern culture where leadership and divine authority were closely intertwined. The themes present in this verse include divine selection, holiness, and the proper approach to the divine. Moses emphasizes that it is God who chooses leaders and that human ambition or usurpation of such roles is not sanctioned. The verse also touches on the concept of holiness—being set apart for divine service—which is a central tenet in the priestly code of the Israelites.

In the broader narrative, this verse sets the stage for a dramatic demonstration of divine authority and the consequences of challenging it. The following events, in which Korah and his company are miraculously punished by God, underscore the gravity of questioning God's chosen representatives and the importance of respecting the divinely ordained structure within the Israelite community. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of rebellion and the necessity of humility and obedience before God's appointed leaders.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7141
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֹרַח
   Transliteration: Qôrach
   Pronunciation: ko'rakh
   Description: from קָרַח; ice; Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites; Korah.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1242
   There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֹּקֶר
   Transliteration: bôqer
   Pronunciation: bo'-ker
   Description: from בָּקַר; properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning; ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6918
   There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָדוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: qâdôwsh
   Pronunciation: kaw-doshe'
   Description: or קָדֹשׁ; from קָדַשׁ; sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary; holy (One), saint.
   
9. Strong's Number: H7126
   There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרַב
   Transliteration: qârab
   Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
   Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.
   
10. Strong's Number: H977
    There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּחַר
    Transliteration: bâchar
    Pronunciation: baw-khar'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.