Numbers 16:24

KJV

Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H1696} unto the congregation {H5712}, saying {H559}, Get you up {H5927} from about {H5439} the tabernacle {H4908} of Korah {H7141}, Dathan {H1885}, and Abiram {H48}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Tell the assembly to move away from the homes of Korach, Datan and Aviram."

Berean Standard Bible

“Tell the congregation to move away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.”

American Standard Version

Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 16:24 records a pivotal divine command issued through Moses to the Israelite congregation, instructing them to immediately distance themselves from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This urgent directive served as a merciful warning, preceding a dramatic act of divine judgment against these rebels who had challenged God's appointed authority, highlighting the severe consequences of defying the Lord and the necessity of separation from impending destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the dramatic narrative of Korah's rebellion in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion"). The chapter opens with Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram, two Reubenites, gathering 250 prominent men to challenge the God-ordained leadership of Moses and Aaron, as detailed in [Numbers 16:1-3](/numbers/16-1-3 "Numbers 16:1-3 - The Rebellion Initiated"). Their challenge was not merely against human leaders but a direct affront to God's divine appointment and the established order of worship and governance for the nation of Israel. Moses immediately fell on his face, seeking divine counsel, and God's swift and decisive response was to consume the rebels. Verses [Numbers 16:16-22](/numbers/16-16-22 "Numbers 16:16-22 - Moses' Intercession and God's Response") detail the confrontation at the Tabernacle and Moses' intercession for the congregation, pleading with God not to destroy the entire community for the sin of a few. This intercession leads directly to God's command in verse 24 to separate the innocent from the guilty before the earth swallowed the rebels, a terrifying event described in [Numbers 16:31-33](/numbers/16-31-33 "Numbers 16:31-33 - The Earth Swallows the Rebels").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 16 occur during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, a period marked by frequent murmuring, rebellion, and divine discipline following their exodus from Egypt. At this point, the nation had received the Law at Sinai and was organized with a clear hierarchy: God as supreme ruler, Moses as His prophet and leader, Aaron as the high priest, and the Levites assisting in Tabernacle service. The "tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram" refers to their personal tents or dwellings within the Israelite camp, not the holy Tabernacle itself. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, challenging established authority, especially divinely appointed leadership, was a grave offense, often met with severe consequences. The communal nature of Israelite society also meant that the sin of a few could bring judgment upon the many, necessitating a clear act of separation to avert collective punishment and demonstrate God's righteous discernment.
* **Key Themes:** [Numbers 16:24](/numbers/16-24 "Numbers 16:24 - God's Command to Separate") powerfully underscores several core themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Authority**, demonstrating that God alone establishes and upholds leadership, and rebellion against His chosen servants is rebellion against Him directly. The swift and severe judgment that follows this command reinforces God's absolute control over His people and His divine order. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Justice and Judgment**, revealing God's absolute intolerance for sin, particularly open defiance and sacrilege against His holy name and appointed ways. Thirdly, and perhaps most prominently in this verse, it showcases **Divine Mercy and Protection**. Despite His righteous anger, God, in His compassion, provides an explicit warning and a clear path to safety for those not complicit in the rebellion, demonstrating His desire to preserve the innocent. This also introduces the profound theme of **Separation from Evil**, illustrating the spiritual and often physical necessity of distancing oneself from unrepentant sin and its destructive consequences, a principle echoed throughout Scripture, such as in [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Come Out and Be Separate").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Speak (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This is from the primitive root H1696, `dâbar`, meaning "to speak" or "to command." Its use here underscores the authoritative and direct nature of God's instruction to Moses, who serves as the divine messenger. The verb conveys a non-negotiable directive, highlighting Moses' role as the divinely appointed conduit for God's urgent word to the entire congregation.
* **Get you up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** Derived from H5927, `ʻâlâh`, this imperative verb means "to ascend," "to arise (up)," or "to depart." In this context, it conveys an urgent command for immediate and decisive physical withdrawal. It demands an active movement away from the dangerous proximity of the rebels, emphasizing that compliance is directly linked to preservation from the impending divine judgment.
* **Tabernacle (Hebrew, _mishkân'_):** This word, H4908, `mishkân`, refers broadly to a "residence" or "dwelling place." While often used for the sacred dwelling of God, here it specifically denotes the personal tents or dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram within the Israelite camp. The command to move away from "the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram" clarifies that the impending judgment was localized to their specific physical habitations, which were about to be consumed by divine wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak unto the congregation, saying":** This phrase establishes Moses as the authoritative mouthpiece of God, tasked with delivering a direct divine message. The command is not for Moses alone, but for the entire community of Israel, highlighting the public nature of the impending judgment and the necessity of a communal response to God's warning. It underscores the gravity of the situation and Moses' role as the faithful mediator.
* **"Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.":** This is the core command, an urgent imperative for immediate physical separation. The phrase "from about" (מִסָּבִיב, _missaviv_) indicates a need to move away from the immediate vicinity, the surrounding area of the rebels' tents. This specific instruction underscores the imminent danger associated with proximity to unrepentant sin and open rebellion against God, making it unequivocally clear that association, even by mere presence, could lead to shared judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Divine Command**, delivered through Moses, emphasizing God's direct intervention and sovereign authority over the situation. The language is imbued with **Urgency**, conveyed by the imperative verb "Get you up," demanding immediate and decisive action from the congregation in the face of imminent danger. There is a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, as the command to separate clearly signals the impending and severe judgment that is about to fall upon the rebels and their households, building suspense and emphasizing the gravity of the moment. Furthermore, the phrase "tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram" could be seen as a form of **Synecdoche**, where "tabernacle" (dwelling) stands for the entire household or group associated with these rebellious leaders, indicating that the judgment would encompass all who remained in their proximity and shared in their rebellion, whether actively or passively.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 16:24 stands as a profound testament to God's holy character, His unwavering justice, and His remarkable mercy. It reveals that while God is utterly righteous in judging rebellion, He is also compassionate in providing a way of escape for those who are innocent and obedient. The principle of separation from evil, vividly illustrated here, is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. It teaches that proximity to unrepentant sin can lead to complicity in judgment, not necessarily through active participation but through association or passive endorsement. This divine warning underscores the critical importance of discernment and the spiritual necessity of distancing oneself from destructive influences, false teachings, or ungodly practices that defy God's truth and authority. This principle is not merely about avoiding punishment but about maintaining holiness and allegiance to God.

* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Call to Separation from Unbelief")
* [Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Call to Come Out of Babylon")
* [1 Timothy 5:22](/1_timothy/5-22 "1 Timothy 5:22 - Do Not Participate in the Sins of Others")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The message of Numbers 16:24 resonates deeply with believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of the ongoing need for spiritual discernment and the courage to separate ourselves from anything that is contrary to God's will. Just as the Israelites were commanded to physically distance themselves from the rebels' tents, we are called to spiritually distance ourselves from harmful influences, ungodly associations, or teachings that contradict biblical truth. This might involve setting boundaries in relationships, choosing media wisely, or even leaving environments that compromise our faith or lead us into sin. The verse highlights the importance of heeding divine warnings, whether they come through Scripture, the Holy Spirit's conviction, or godly counsel. Ignoring such warnings can lead to dire spiritual consequences, similar to the physical destruction faced by those who remained near Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. For leaders and parents, this passage also implicitly teaches the solemn responsibility to warn and protect those under their care from spiritual dangers, guiding them toward paths of righteousness and away from destructive influences. Ultimately, it underscores that obedience to God's call for separation is not merely an act of avoidance but an act of preservation, faithfulness, and a demonstration of our allegiance to His holy character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be too close to "the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram," meaning influences or practices that are contrary to God's will?**
* **Am I quick to discern and obey God's warnings, even when they require uncomfortable separation or change?**
* **How can I, as a believer, better protect myself and those under my influence (family, friends, congregants) from spiritual dangers and ungodly associations?**
* **What does "separation" look like in a world that increasingly blurs moral lines and pressures conformity?**

### FAQ
**Why did God warn the congregation instead of just destroying everyone associated with the rebels?**

Answer: God's warning in [Numbers 16:24](/numbers/16-24 "Numbers 16:24 - God's Command to Separate") demonstrates His profound mercy and justice. While His holiness demands judgment for rebellion, His compassion leads Him to provide a clear path of escape for those who are innocent and not complicit in the sin. This act highlights God's desire to protect those who are obedient and demonstrates that His judgment is precise, targeting the guilty while offering salvation to those who respond to His call for separation. It underscores that God does not desire the death of the wicked but that they turn from their ways and live ([Ezekiel 18:23](/ezekiel/18-23 "Ezekiel 18:23 - God Desires Repentance, Not Death")).

**What exactly is meant by "the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram"? Does it refer to the Holy Tabernacle?**

Answer: No, "the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram" (מִשְׁכַּן קֹרַח דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָם) refers to their personal tents or dwellings within the Israelite camp, not the sacred Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God. The Hebrew word _mishkan_ can refer to any dwelling. In this context, it designates the specific physical locations where these rebellious leaders and their households resided. The command was for the congregation to physically distance themselves from *these specific tents*, as they were the immediate targets of God's impending judgment. This clarifies that the danger was localized to the rebels' immediate vicinity, not the sacred space of worship.

**Is physical separation always necessary for believers today, or is this command primarily metaphorical?**

Answer: While the command in [Numbers 16:24](/numbers/16-24 "Numbers 16:24 - God's Command to Separate") involved a literal physical separation, its primary application for believers today is often metaphorical, emphasizing spiritual and moral separation. We are called to be "in the world but not of the world," as Jesus prayed for His disciples in [John 17:15-16](/john/17-15-16 "John 17:15-16 - In the World, Not of the World"). This means discerning and distancing ourselves from ungodly influences, false teachings, and sinful practices that could compromise our faith or lead us astray, as exhorted in [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14-18 "2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked"). However, there may be times when physical separation (e.g., leaving a harmful environment, ending a destructive relationship, or even choosing a different community) is indeed necessary to protect one's spiritual well-being and obedience to God. The principle is to avoid complicity with sin and its consequences, whether through active participation or passive association.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 16:24, with its stark warning to separate from impending judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against God's appointed leadership foreshadows humanity's universal rebellion against God's ultimate authority, a rebellion that merits divine wrath, as clearly stated in [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness"). However, unlike the Old Covenant where separation was a physical act to escape physical judgment, the New Covenant calls for a spiritual separation from the world's sin system, made possible through union with Christ. Jesus Christ is the ultimate "Tabernacle," the true dwelling place of God among humanity, for in Him "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, He bore the judgment for our rebellion, allowing those who believe in Him to be "separated" from the condemnation that our sins deserve, ensuring "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the ultimate means of escape from divine wrath. Believers are now called to "come out from among them and be separate" not by physically fleeing a geographical location, but by living a life of holiness and righteousness, set apart for God's purposes, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, and united to Christ, who is our refuge, our salvation, and our ultimate dwelling place ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")).

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

Numbers 16:21

Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.