Numbers 16:15

And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

And Moses {H4872} was very {H3966} wroth {H2734}, and said {H559} unto the LORD {H3068}, Respect {H6437} not thou their offering {H4503}: I have not taken {H5375} one {H259} ass {H2543} from them, neither have I hurt {H7489} one {H259} of them.

Moshe was very angry and said to ADONAI, "Don't accept their grain offering! I haven't taken one donkey from them, I've done nothing wrong to any of them."

Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”

And Moses was very wroth, and said unto Jehovah, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

Commentary

In Numbers 16:15, we witness Moses' intense reaction to the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This verse highlights his righteous anger and his fervent plea to God regarding the sincerity of his adversaries' actions, while also defending his own blameless conduct as a leader.

Context of Moses' Wrath

This verse is situated amidst the dramatic account of the rebellion against Moses and Aaron's divinely appointed leadership (Numbers 16:1-3). Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben, challenged Moses' authority, accusing him of exalting himself above the congregation and failing to bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. Moses had just sent for Dathan and Abiram, who defiantly refused to come, sending back insolent messages (Numbers 16:12-14). It is this direct and contemptuous defiance, coupled with their false accusations, that ignites Moses' profound anger, or "wrath," as he stands firm in his role as God's chosen leader.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Righteous Indignation: Moses' anger is not a personal tantrum but a holy indignation stemming from the challenge to God's chosen authority and the slander against his own faithful service. It reflects his zeal for the Lord's honor and the integrity of the divine commission.
  • Integrity in Leadership: Moses vehemently defends his character, stating, "I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them." This underscores the importance of a leader's integrity and blamelessness, especially when facing false accusations. His words highlight that he had not exploited the people for personal gain or abused his power, echoing similar defenses by other faithful leaders like Samuel (1 Samuel 12:3-4).
  • Appeal to Divine Justice: By asking the LORD to "Respect not thou their offering," Moses is appealing directly to God's justice. He knows that God sees the heart and will not accept the hypocrisy or rebellion masked by outward religious actions. This concept is found throughout scripture, where God rejects the offerings of the wicked or those in rebellion (Proverbs 15:8, Isaiah 1:13-15), emphasizing that true worship requires a right heart and obedience.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV word "wroth" emphasizes Moses' intense and deep-seated anger. It's a strong emotional response, often used in scripture to describe God's own displeasure with sin and disobedience. Here, it signifies Moses' righteous indignation at the injustice and spiritual rebellion unfolding before him, underscoring the gravity of the challenge against God's established order.

Practical Application

This passage offers valuable lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the challenges faced by those in leadership and the importance of maintaining integrity, even under duress. It also highlights the danger of rebellion against divinely established order and the ultimate justice of God, who discerns the true motives of the heart. For those who serve, it's a powerful example of trusting God to vindicate one's character when falsely accused, rather than seeking personal revenge, and of standing firm for God's truth in the face of opposition.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 4:4

    And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

  • Genesis 4:5

    But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:2

    Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

  • Acts 20:33

    I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

  • Acts 20:34

    Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

  • Numbers 12:3

    (Now the man Moses [was] very meek, above all the men which [were] upon the face of the earth.)

  • 2 Corinthians 12:14

    Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
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