Numbers 16:27

KJV

So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

KJV (with Strong's)

So they gat up {H5927} from the tabernacle {H4908} of Korah {H7141}, Dathan {H1885}, and Abiram {H48}, on every side {H5439}: and Dathan {H1885} and Abiram {H48} came out {H3318}, and stood {H5324} in the door {H6607} of their tents {H168}, and their wives {H802}, and their sons {H1121}, and their little children {H2945}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they moved away from all around the area where Korach, Datan and Aviram lived. Then Datan and Aviram came out and stood at the entrance to their tents with their wives, sons and little ones.

Berean Standard Bible

So they moved away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Meanwhile, Dathan and Abiram had come out and stood at the entrances to their tents with their wives and children and infants.

American Standard Version

So they gat them up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little ones.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 16:27 captures the critical moment just before divine judgment falls upon Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their households. It vividly portrays the stark contrast between the obedient congregation, who heeded Moses' warning to separate from the rebels' encampments, and the defiant leaders, Dathan and Abiram, who stood unrepentantly at the entrance of their tents with their entire families, sealing their fate. This verse underscores the immediate and severe consequences of rebellion against God's appointed authority and highlights the protection afforded to those who obey divine warnings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 16:27 is situated within the dramatic narrative of Korah's rebellion, a pivotal event in Israel's wilderness journey. Immediately preceding this verse, in [Numbers 16:26](/numbers/16-26 "Numbers 16:26 - Moses' Warning to Separate"), Moses, acting under divine instruction, issues a clear and urgent command to the congregation: "Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins." This verse, therefore, depicts the immediate response to that warning, setting the stage for the unprecedented divine judgment that swiftly follows in [Numbers 16:28-35](/numbers/16-28 "Numbers 16:28-35 - The Earth Swallows the Rebels"). The separation of the people is crucial for their preservation, while the defiant stance of Dathan and Abiram underscores their unyielding opposition, directly leading to their demise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 16 occur during Israel's forty-year wilderness wandering, a period marked by frequent testing, murmuring, and rebellion against God and His appointed leaders, Moses and Aaron. The Israelite encampment was highly organized, with the Tabernacle at its center, surrounded by the tribes. Tents served as family dwellings, and standing at the tent door was a common posture for receiving guests or making public declarations. The rebellion of Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben, challenged the divinely established hierarchy of leadership, particularly the unique roles of Moses as prophet and leader, and Aaron as high priest. This challenge was not merely against human authority but against God Himself, who had instituted these roles. The concept of corporate responsibility was also prevalent, where the actions of leaders could impact their entire households, as seen in the inclusion of wives and children in this verse.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Authority vs. Human Rebellion**. The defiance of Dathan and Abiram directly challenges God's chosen leadership, emphasizing that rebellion against God's appointed servants is rebellion against God Himself, a truth echoed in passages like [Romans 13:1-2](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1-2 - Submission to Governing Authorities"). Secondly, the verse underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience** and the **Severity of Divine Judgment**. The impending judgment serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and His intolerance for sin and insubordination, a principle consistently demonstrated throughout Israel's history, as seen in the judgments described in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Judgment"). Thirdly, it emphasizes the **Importance of Separation from Sin**. The congregation's act of "gat[ting] up from" the rebels' tents illustrates the necessity of disassociating from those in open rebellion against God, a call to spiritual purity found in later Scriptures like [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Separation from Unbelievers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **gat up (Hebrew, _wayyaʿalû_):** Derived from the verb `עָלָה` (ʿālāh), meaning "to go up," "ascend," or "depart." In this context, it signifies a swift and decisive movement away from the designated area. It conveys the congregation's immediate and obedient response to Moses' warning, emphasizing their physical and spiritual separation from the rebels' encampment to avoid sharing in their impending judgment. This active departure highlights their faith in Moses' word as God's word.
* **tabernacle (Hebrew, _mishkan_):** While _mishkan_ typically refers to the sacred Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God's presence, here it is used more broadly to denote the "dwelling place" or "encampment" of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. The use of this term for the rebels' tents might subtly underscore the irony or the audacious nature of their rebellion, as they sought to usurp authority associated with God's true dwelling. It refers to their personal tents and the immediate area around them, which had become a locus of rebellion.
* **stood (Hebrew, _wayyaʿamdû_):** From the verb `עָמַד` (ʿāmad), meaning "to stand," "remain," or "take one's stand." In this context, Dathan and Abiram's act of standing in the door of their tents, accompanied by their families, is not merely passive. It denotes a defiant, unrepentant, and confrontational posture. It signifies their resolute refusal to heed Moses' warning, their open challenge to his authority, and their stubborn commitment to their rebellion, even in the face of imminent divine wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side:"** This clause describes the immediate and widespread obedience of the Israelite congregation. Following Moses' urgent command in [Numbers 16:26](/numbers/16-26 "Numbers 16:26 - Moses' Warning to Separate"), the people quickly and decisively moved away from the tents of the rebellious leaders. The phrase "on every side" emphasizes the thoroughness and unanimity of their separation, indicating that the warning was heard and acted upon by all who wished to avoid the impending judgment. This act of physical separation was a spiritual act of obedience and faith.
* **"and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents,"** This part of the verse starkly contrasts with the congregation's obedience. Dathan and Abiram, rather than repenting or seeking refuge, defiantly emerged from their tents and took a public stand at their entrances. This posture was a deliberate act of contempt and challenge towards Moses' authority and, by extension, God's. It demonstrated their unyielding stubbornness and their refusal to acknowledge the gravity of their sin or the divine warning. Their public display of defiance sealed their fate.
* **"and their wives, and their sons, and their little children."** The inclusion of their entire households—wives, sons, and even young children—is profoundly significant. It highlights the corporate nature of the rebellion and the subsequent corporate judgment. It indicates that the defiance was not merely individual but a unified stance of the entire family unit, perhaps implying their complicity or unwavering support for the rebellious leaders. This detail also serves to heighten the tragic impact of the impending judgment, as innocent-looking family members would also suffer the consequences of the leaders' sin, underscoring the severe implications of rebellion against God's established order.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 16:27 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Contrast** is prominently featured, setting the obedient congregation's swift departure against the defiant, unmoving stance of Dathan and Abiram and their families. This juxtaposition amplifies the moral and spiritual divide between those who heed God's warning and those who stubbornly resist. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the defiant posture of the rebels at their tent doors, coupled with the congregation's separation, strongly hints at the imminent and dramatic divine judgment that is about to unfold. Their public display of unrepentance serves as a grim prelude to their destruction. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the use of "tabernacle" to describe the rebels' dwellings; while the true Tabernacle is the place of God's holy presence and order, these "tabernacles" are centers of rebellion and impending destruction, highlighting the perversion of divine order. The detailed enumeration of "their wives, and their sons, and their little children" also serves as a form of **Pathos**, evoking a sense of tragedy and the comprehensive nature of the judgment that is about to befall the entire rebellious household.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 16:27 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine authority, human rebellion, and the necessity of spiritual separation. It underscores that challenging God's appointed leadership is a direct affront to God Himself, carrying severe consequences. The swift obedience of the congregation highlights the critical importance of heeding divine warnings and discerning the presence of sin and rebellion. God's justice is demonstrated not only in the judgment of the wicked but also in the protection of the obedient, emphasizing His faithfulness to those who align themselves with His will. This narrative reinforces the principle that fellowship with unrepentant sin leads to shared culpability and judgment, thus necessitating a clear and decisive separation for the preservation of spiritual integrity.

* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Separation from Unbelievers")
* [Ephesians 5:11](/ephesians/5-11 "Ephesians 5:11 - No Fellowship with Unfruitful Works of Darkness")
* [Romans 13:2](/romans/13-2 "Romans 13:2 - Resisting Authority Resists God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 16:27 offers timeless lessons for believers today, primarily emphasizing the critical importance of spiritual discernment and decisive action in the face of sin and rebellion. Just as the Israelites were commanded to physically separate from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, so too are believers called to distance themselves from attitudes, teachings, and practices that are in open rebellion against God's truth and His established order. This does not necessarily mean physical isolation from all unbelievers, but a clear moral and spiritual separation from the unfruitful works of darkness and from those who persistently reject divine authority. The verse also serves as a potent reminder of the gravity of challenging God-given authority, whether in the church, home, or society, and the severe consequences that can follow. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, obedience, and respect for spiritual leadership, recognizing that true authority is ultimately derived from God. Furthermore, it encourages us to be swift in our obedience to God's warnings, trusting in His justice and His promise to protect those who walk in His ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly or overtly challenging God's established order or authority?**
* **Am I quick to discern and separate myself from influences, ideas, or relationships that are in rebellion against God's truth?**
* **How does the swift obedience of the congregation in this passage challenge my own responsiveness to God's warnings and commands?**
* **What does this account teach me about the corporate impact of sin and the importance of individual accountability before God?**

### FAQ
**What does "tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In this context, "tabernacle" (Hebrew: _mishkan_) does not refer to the sacred Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God's presence, but rather to the personal tents or encampments of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. The word _mishkan_ can broadly mean a dwelling place. Here, it signifies their individual family dwellings and the immediate area around them, which had become the focal point of their rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Moses' command for the congregation to "depart... from the tents of these wicked men" in [Numbers 16:26](/numbers/16-26 "Numbers 16:26 - Moses' Warning to Separate") clarifies that these were their private residences, not the holy sanctuary.

**Why did Dathan and Abiram stand at the door of their tents with their families?**

Answer: Their act of standing at the door of their tents with their wives, sons, and little children was a deliberate and defiant act. It was a public display of their unyielding rebellion and their refusal to acknowledge Moses' authority or God's impending judgment. In ancient Near Eastern culture, standing at the tent door could signify a public display or a posture of defiance. By including their entire households, they demonstrated a unified front of opposition, indicating their complete commitment to their rebellious cause, even in the face of certain doom. This act underscored their profound stubbornness and contempt for the divine warning, sealing their corporate fate as described in [Numbers 16:31-33](/numbers/16-31 "Numbers 16:31-33 - The Earth Swallows the Rebels").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 16:27, while a stark Old Testament narrative of judgment, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against God's appointed authority foreshadows humanity's inherent rebellion against God Himself, a rebellion ultimately addressed in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as Moses served as God's mediator and leader, Jesus is the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, the one through whom God speaks and acts definitively. The call for the congregation to "gat up from" the rebels' tents prefigures the New Testament call to spiritual separation from the world's sin and rebellion against God, as believers are urged to [come out from among them and be separate](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Separation from Unbelievers") and not be conformed to this world ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind")). The judgment that befell the unrepentant rebels points to the ultimate judgment awaiting all who reject Christ's authority and refuse to believe in Him ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - He Who Believes Is Not Condemned")). Conversely, the protection afforded to the obedient Israelites who separated themselves from the rebels' fate beautifully illustrates the salvation offered through Christ. Those who believe in Jesus are delivered from the wrath to come ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thermonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Delivered from the Wrath to Come")) and are united with Him, the true Tabernacle in whom God dwells among His people ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Thus, Numbers 16:27 serves as a powerful testament to God's holiness, His judgment of sin, and His provision of salvation for those who, by faith, separate themselves from rebellion and cling to His divinely appointed Savior.

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

2 Kings 9:30

¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard [of it]; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

2 Kings 9:31

And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, [Had] Zimri peace, who slew his master?

Proverbs 16:18

¶ Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Job 9:4

[He is] wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened [himself] against him, and hath prospered?

Isaiah 28:14

¶ Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which [is] in Jerusalem.

Proverbs 18:12

¶ Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.

Job 40:10

Deck thyself now [with] majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.