Numbers 16:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Numbers 16:15 captures Moses' profound and righteous indignation in the face of the defiant rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This verse reveals his fervent appeal to the LORD to reject the hypocritical offerings of his adversaries, simultaneously serving as a powerful defense of his own blameless leadership, emphasizing that he had neither exploited nor harmed the people entrusted to his care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture within the dramatic narrative of the rebellion against Moses and Aaron's divinely appointed authority, detailed in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion"). Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben, had mounted a significant challenge, accusing Moses of exalting himself and failing to lead the people into the promised land ([Numbers 16:1-3](/numbers/16-1 "Numbers 16:1 - Korah's Rebellion Begins")). Prior to this verse, Moses had attempted to engage Dathan and Abiram directly, sending for them, but they defiantly refused to come, sending back insolent and slanderous messages ([Numbers 16:12-14](/numbers/16-12 "Numbers 16:12-14 - Dathan and Abiram's Defiance")). It is this direct, contemptuous defiance, coupled with their baseless accusations and the broader challenge to God's established order, that ignites Moses' intense "wrath" and prompts his immediate appeal to the LORD.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the wilderness journey, a period marked by frequent murmuring and rebellion against God and His appointed leaders. In ancient Israel, leadership was often seen as a direct extension of divine authority, and challenging it was tantamount to challenging God Himself. Offerings and sacrifices were central to Israelite worship, but their acceptance by God was contingent upon the worshipper's heart and obedience, not merely the ritual act. The mention of "taking an ass" refers to the common practice of leaders or officials taking property or tribute from the people, often as a form of exploitation or corruption. Moses' emphatic denial underscores his adherence to the highest standards of integrity, contrasting sharply with the corrupt practices sometimes found in the ancient Near East. His defense echoes the expectations for righteous leadership within the covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 16:15 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Righteous Indignation**, demonstrating that Moses' anger is not personal pique but a holy zeal for God's honor and the integrity of His divine commission, reflecting God's own displeasure with rebellion and sin. Secondly, it underscores the critical theme of **Integrity in Leadership**, as Moses vehemently defends his blameless character against false accusations, affirming that he had not exploited or oppressed the people ([Numbers 12:3](/numbers/12-3 "Numbers 12:3 - Moses' Humility")). This serves as a model for all who are called to lead God's people. Finally, the verse emphasizes **Divine Justice and Discernment**, as Moses appeals directly to God to "Respect not thou their offering," knowing that God sees the heart and will not accept hypocritical worship from those in rebellion, a principle echoed throughout the Old Testament ([Proverbs 15:8](/proverbs/15-8 "Proverbs 15:8 - The Prayer of the Upright") and [Isaiah 1:13-15](/isaiah/1-13 "Isaiah 1:13-15 - Vain Oblations")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wroth (Hebrew, _ḥārâ'_):** This word denotes an intense, burning anger, often used in Scripture to describe God's own fierce displeasure with sin and disobedience. When applied to Moses here, it signifies not a personal tantrum but a deep-seated, righteous indignation stemming from the challenge to God's chosen authority and the slander against his faithful service. It underscores the gravity of the rebellion as an affront to divine order.
* **Respect not (Hebrew, _šāʿâ'_):** Literally meaning "to look upon with favor" or "to regard." Moses' plea is for God to withhold His favor from the rebels' offerings. This implies that God's acceptance of worship is not merely about the ritual act but about the heart and obedience of the worshipper. Moses understands that an offering from a rebellious, unrepentant heart is an abomination to the LORD.
* **Ass (Hebrew, _ḥămôr'_):** A common beast of burden and a valuable possession in ancient Israel. Moses' statement, "I have not taken one ass from them," is a powerful declaration of his incorruptibility and non-exploitation. It symbolizes that he had not used his position for personal gain, material enrichment, or to unjustly burden the people, directly refuting the accusations of the rebels who claimed he had brought them out to "make a prince over us" ([Numbers 16:13](/numbers/16-13 "Numbers 16:13 - Dathan and Abiram's Accusation")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses was very wroth":** This phrase conveys the depth and intensity of Moses' anger. It is not a sinful outburst but a holy indignation, born from his zeal for God's honor and the integrity of the divine commission. The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram was not just against Moses personally, but against the LORD who had appointed him, making Moses' anger a reflection of God's own displeasure with such defiance.
* **"and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering":** In his righteous anger, Moses immediately turns to God, appealing to divine justice. He understands that the rebels' outward religious acts (likely referring to their attempts to offer incense or other sacrifices as priests, a role they usurped) are an empty show, devoid of sincere hearts. Moses asks God to expose their hypocrisy by refusing to accept their worship, knowing that God discerns the true motives of the heart and rejects the offerings of the wicked.
* **"I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them":** This is Moses' powerful self-vindication against the implicit and explicit accusations of the rebels. He declares his blamelessness and integrity as a leader. "Not taken one ass" signifies that he had not exploited the people for personal gain or unjustly seized their property. "Neither have I hurt one of them" means he had not oppressed, abused, or caused harm to any individual, contrasting sharply with the rebels' claim that he had dealt ill with them ([Numbers 16:13](/numbers/16-13 "Numbers 16:13 - Dathan and Abiram's Accusation")).

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the stark contrast between Moses' righteous anger and his humble, blameless defense, set against the backdrop of the rebels' insolent defiance and false accusations. Moses' direct **Appeal to a Higher Authority** (the LORD) demonstrates his reliance on God for vindication rather than seeking personal revenge, highlighting his faith and submission. The phrase "I have not taken one ass from them" functions as a form of **Rhetorical Assertion**, a powerful declaration of innocence that is meant to be self-evident and unassailable, serving as a direct refutation of any claims of corruption or abuse of power. The "ass" itself serves as **Symbolism**, representing any form of exploitation or personal gain, making Moses' denial a comprehensive statement of his integrity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 16:15 profoundly illustrates the divine demand for sincerity in worship and the gravity of rebellion against God's appointed authority. Moses' righteous anger is a theological statement, demonstrating that true leadership, when aligned with God's will, will defend His honor against those who seek to undermine it. The plea for God to "Respect not thou their offering" underscores a consistent biblical theme: God values a right heart and obedience over mere ritualistic performance. This passage serves as a stark reminder that outward religious acts are an abomination to God when performed by those whose hearts are rebellious or whose lives are marked by injustice and hypocrisy. It also highlights God's ultimate justice in vindicating His faithful servants and judging those who defy His established order.

* [1 Samuel 12:3](/1_samuel/12-3 "1 Samuel 12:3-4 - Samuel's Defense of Integrity") - Samuel's similar defense of his integrity as a leader, affirming he had not exploited or oppressed the people.
* [Proverbs 15:8](/proverbs/15-8 "Proverbs 15:8 - The Prayer of the Upright") - "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."
* [Isaiah 1:13](/isaiah/1-13 "Isaiah 1:13-15 - Vain Oblations") - God's rejection of offerings from those whose hands are full of blood and injustice, emphasizing the need for righteousness and justice.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Moses' response in Numbers 16:15 offers a powerful paradigm for believers navigating leadership, false accusations, and the challenges of maintaining integrity in a fallen world. His "very wroth" reaction, while intense, was not born of selfish pride but of a holy zeal for God's honor and the preservation of His divine order. This teaches us to discern between sinful anger (driven by ego or revenge) and righteous indignation (fueled by a passion for justice and truth, and a defense of God's name). For those in positions of leadership, Moses' emphatic defense—"I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them"—serves as a timeless call to blamelessness, transparency, and selfless service, particularly when facing unjust criticism. It reminds us that our vindication ultimately rests with God, who sees the heart and will judge righteously. We are called to trust Him to defend our character when falsely accused, rather than resorting to personal retaliation, and to stand firm for God's truth even in the face of intense opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you discern between righteous anger, like Moses', and sinful anger in your own life or in the lives of others?**
* **In what ways can leaders today emulate Moses' integrity, particularly in ensuring they do not exploit or harm those under their care?**
* **When faced with false accusations or challenges to your character, how does Moses' appeal to God encourage you to trust in divine vindication rather than seeking personal revenge?**

### FAQ
**Why was Moses so 'wroth' in this situation?**

Answer: Moses' "wrath" was not a personal fit of temper but a profound, righteous indignation. It stemmed from the fact that Korah, Dathan, and Abiram's rebellion was not merely against him as a person, but fundamentally against the LORD Himself, who had divinely appointed Moses as leader. Their defiance challenged God's established order and slandered His chosen servant, making Moses' anger a reflection of God's own displeasure with such blatant sin and rebellion. It was a zeal for God's honor and the integrity of His covenant.

**What does "Respect not thou their offering" mean, and why did Moses say it?**

Answer: When Moses said, "Respect not thou their offering," he was appealing directly to God's justice and omniscience. In ancient Israelite worship, offerings were meant to be expressions of devotion and obedience. However, God consistently teaches that He looks at the heart of the worshipper, not just the outward ritual. Moses knew that the hearts of Korah and his company were filled with rebellion, pride, and hypocrisy. Therefore, their offerings, no matter how outwardly religious, were an abomination to the LORD. Moses was asking God to expose their hypocrisy and refuse to accept their worship, demonstrating that God rejects the sacrifices of the wicked and those who are in rebellion against Him ([Proverbs 15:8](/proverbs/15-8 "Proverbs 15:8 - The Prayer of the Upright"), [Isaiah 1:13-15](/isaiah/1-13 "Isaiah 1:13-15 - Vain Oblations")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses, as a faithful leader and intercessor, foreshadows the ultimate blameless leader and High Priest, Jesus Christ. Just as Moses was "very wroth" at the rebellion against God's appointed order, so too did Jesus exhibit righteous indignation against those who defiled God's temple and twisted His truth ([John 2:13-17](/john/2-13 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). Moses' fervent appeal to God to "Respect not thou their offering" finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, whose perfect life and atoning sacrifice on the cross became the one truly acceptable offering to God, unlike the hypocritical sacrifices of the rebellious. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the requirement of a pure, unblemished offering, not for His own sin, but for ours ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Furthermore, Moses' defense, "I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them," profoundly points to Christ's absolute integrity and selfless leadership. Jesus never exploited His followers for personal gain, but rather "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" ([Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). He suffered under false accusations and unjust condemnation, yet, like Moses, He committed Himself to Him who judges righteously ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). Ultimately, God fully vindicated Jesus through His resurrection, accepting His perfect life and sacrifice as the only means of reconciliation, thereby "respecting" His offering above all others and establishing Him as the eternal High Priest and King.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.