(The Lord speaking is red text)
This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
Do this: take censers, Korach and all your group;
You, Korah, and all your followers are to do as follows: Take censers,
This do: take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
This do{H6213}; Take{H3947} you censers{H4289}, Korah{H7141}, and all his company{H5712};
1. **Themes**:
- **Rebellion against Authority**: Numbers 16:6 is part of the narrative where Korah, a Levite, leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their leadership and the priesthood appointed by God. This act of insubordination is a central theme, illustrating the dangers of questioning divinely established authority.
- **Divine Selection**: The verse underscores the theme of God's sovereign choice in appointing leaders and priests. Moses and Aaron were chosen by God, and the rebellion of Korah and his followers is a direct challenge to this divine order.
- **Judgment and Justice**: The broader context of the verse includes God's swift and severe judgment against those who rebelled. This highlights the theme of divine justice, where challenges to God's authority are not tolerated.
2. **Historical Context**:
- **The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings**: This event occurs during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The people have already received the Law at Mount Sinai, and tensions and dissatisfaction within the community are rising.
- **Levitical Responsibilities**: The Levites, including Korah, were responsible for various duties in the Tabernacle. However, only Aaron and his descendants were consecrated as priests to offer sacrifices. Korah's dissatisfaction with his role leads to the rebellion.
- **Leadership Challenges**: The incident reflects the challenges Moses faced in leading a diverse and sometimes contentious group of people. It also demonstrates the importance of respecting God-given roles and responsibilities within the community.
In summary, Numbers 16:6 is set during a period of testing and turmoil for the Israelites, with Korah's rebellion serving as a stark example of the consequences of rejecting God's authority and the leadership He has put in place.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)