Numbers 16:27

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Numbers 16:27 describes a pivotal moment in the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron. It highlights the people's obedience to God's warning and the rebels' continued defiance just before divine judgment.

Context of Numbers 16:27

This verse immediately precedes God's dramatic judgment upon the rebels. Following Moses' urgent command in Numbers 16:26 for the congregation to separate themselves from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, the people wisely heeded the warning. The phrase "tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram" refers to their individual dwellings or encampments, not the sacred Tabernacle of God. Despite the impending doom, Dathan and Abiram defiantly stood at the entrance of their tents with their families, demonstrating their stubborn refusal to repent or acknowledge Moses' God-given authority.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Separation from Sin and Rebellion: The passage underscores the crucial importance of separating from those who are in open rebellion against God. The Israelites' swift departure saved them from sharing in the rebels' fate.
  • Defiance and Stubbornness: Dathan and Abiram's act of standing at their tent doors with their families was a bold, unrepentant gesture of defiance towards Moses and, by extension, God's established order.
  • Divine Judgment: This verse sets the stage for the immediate and unprecedented judgment that God was about to unleash, demonstrating His sovereignty and the severe consequences of challenging His authority and His appointed leaders.
  • Protection for the Obedient: God's warning through Moses provided a clear path to safety for those who chose to obey and distance themselves from the rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "gat up from" means they quickly moved away or departed. The term "tabernacle" (Hebrew: mishkan) used here for the rebels' dwellings emphasizes their attempt to mimic or challenge the legitimate dwelling place of God's presence, though it simply refers to their tents. Their presence with "their wives, and their sons, and their little children" highlights the complete involvement of their households in the defiance, indicating a unified front against Moses.

Practical Application

Numbers 16:27 serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of rebellion against God and His established order. For believers today, it teaches the importance of discerning and distancing oneself from sin and those who persistently reject God's truth. It also emphasizes the need to respect spiritual authority and to heed divine warnings, understanding that God is just in His judgments and faithful in protecting those who obey Him. The consequences of Dathan and Abiram's stubbornness should encourage humility and repentance in the face of God's truth.

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

  • 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.
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