Numbers 16:42

KJV

And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when the congregation {H5712} was gathered {H6950} against Moses {H4872} and against Aaron {H175}, that they looked {H6437} toward the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}: and, behold, the cloud {H6051} covered {H3680} it, and the glory {H3519} of the LORD {H3068} appeared {H7200}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, as the community was assembling against Moshe and Aharon, they looked in the direction of the tent of meeting and saw the cloud cover it and the glory of ADONAI

Berean Standard Bible

But when the congregation gathered against them, Moses and Aaron turned toward the Tent of Meeting, and suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when the congregation was assembled against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tent of meeting: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of Jehovah appeared.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 16:42 describes a critical juncture immediately following God's dramatic judgment on Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Despite witnessing this overwhelming display of divine power and justice, the Israelite congregation, rather than embracing repentance, defiantly gathered in renewed rebellion against Moses and Aaron. This verse vividly portrays God's swift and visible response to their continued defiance, manifesting His undeniable presence and reaffirming His supreme authority over both His chosen leaders and His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 16:42 is the immediate aftermath of one of the most severe and public rebellions in Israel's wilderness journey, detailed in [Numbers 16:1-35](/numbers/16-1 "Numbers 16:1-35 - The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram"). Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben, challenged the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron, asserting that all the congregation was holy and that Moses and Aaron had presumptuously exalted themselves. God responded with terrifying precision: the earth opened its mouth and swallowed Korah's faction and their households, while fire consumed 250 of their priestly associates. Astonishingly, the very next day, the entire Israelite community, instead of being humbled, accused Moses and Aaron of killing the LORD's people. It is in this atmosphere of fresh defiance, deep-seated murmuring, and profound spiritual blindness that the events of verse 42 unfold, setting the stage for yet another, even more widespread, divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative takes place during Israel's forty-year wilderness wanderings, a period marked by divine provision, miraculous guidance, but also persistent rebellion and testing. The Israelites, recently delivered from Egyptian bondage, were a nascent nation in the process of being shaped by God's covenant laws and tabernacle worship. The tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, served as the focal point of their spiritual life, symbolizing God's presence among them. Leadership in ancient Israel was often seen as divinely sanctioned, with Moses and Aaron holding unique roles as God's chosen intermediaries. Challenges to such authority, especially after witnessing God's powerful interventions, were not merely political insubordination but direct affronts to the divine order and God Himself. The people's constant murmuring reflects a deeper spiritual malaise, a lack of faith and trust in God's leadership through His appointed servants, despite repeated demonstrations of His power and faithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It underscores the theme of **Divine Presence and Intervention**, as the covering cloud and the appearance of the "glory of the LORD" unequivocally signify God's active and tangible involvement in the affairs of His people, not as a passive observer but as an imminent actor. It highlights the severe consequences of **Rebellion Against God's Authority**, demonstrating that challenging Moses and Aaron's leadership is, in essence, a direct affront to God's sovereign appointment and His established order. Furthermore, it reinforces God's unwavering commitment to **Vindication of His Servants**, as He prepares to defend Moses and Aaron against the congregation's baseless accusations, just as He did against Korah's faction in [Numbers 16:35](/numbers/16-35 "Numbers 16:35 - Fire Consumes the 250 Men"). Finally, the manifestation of God's glory often precedes acts of judgment or a profound reaffirmation of His **Holiness and Justice**, reminding the people of the absolute necessity of reverence and obedience in the presence of a holy God, as seen throughout the wilderness narrative, such as in [Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kavod'_):** The term "glory" (כָּבוֹד, _kavod_) fundamentally conveys the idea of weight, heaviness, or substance. In a theological context, it refers to the manifest splendor, majesty, and visible presence of God. It is the tangible display of His power, holiness, and divine essence. When God's "glory" appears, it signifies a direct and powerful revelation of His being, often preceding a significant divine act, whether of judgment or blessing. Its appearance here is a clear indication that God is about to intervene decisively.
* **Cloud (Hebrew, _anan'_):** The "cloud" (עָנָן, _anan_) serves as a recurring and potent symbol of God's presence, guidance, and protection throughout Israel's wilderness journey. From the pillar of cloud that led them by day ([Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21 - The Pillar of Cloud and Fire")), to its covering the tabernacle at its dedication ([Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Cloud Covers the Tabernacle")), the cloud is consistently associated with the divine. Here, its sudden appearance over the tabernacle, immediately followed by the visible glory, signals God's imminent action and serves as a visible warning to the rebellious congregation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron,"**: This clause establishes the immediate context of renewed rebellion. Despite the recent, terrifying judgment on Korah and his company, the entire assembly of Israel ("the congregation") defiantly gathers against their divinely appointed leaders. This demonstrates an astonishing level of spiritual hardness and a profound lack of repentance, indicating that their challenge was not merely personal animosity but a deep-seated rejection of God's authority mediated through Moses and Aaron.
* **"that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation:"**: This detail is significant. The tabernacle was the dwelling place of God among His people, the visible center of His presence. Their act of looking toward it, perhaps in defiance or in expectation of some sign, ironically places them directly in the line of sight of God's imminent manifestation. It highlights that their rebellion was not hidden but open and directed towards the very locus of God's presence.
* **"and, behold, the cloud covered it,"**: The appearance of the cloud is a dramatic and unmistakable sign of God's immediate presence. This is not a casual observation but a divine intervention, a visible manifestation that signals God's attention and readiness to act. The cloud's covering of the tabernacle signifies God's reassertion of His dwelling place and His sovereign control over it, in contrast to the people's defiance.
* **"and the glory of the LORD appeared."**: This climactic phrase signifies the full and terrifying manifestation of God's presence. The "glory of the LORD" is the visible, palpable display of His majesty, power, and holiness. Its appearance here is a precursor to divine judgment, serving as a stark reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and the severe consequences of defying His holy presence and His chosen servants.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 16:42 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Dramatic Irony** is prominent, as the congregation, having just witnessed a cataclysmic divine judgment, immediately gathers in renewed rebellion, demonstrating their spiritual blindness despite overwhelming evidence of God's power. This sets up the inevitability of further divine intervention. The verse also features a **Theophany**, the visible manifestation of God, through the "cloud" and the "glory of the LORD." This direct, sensory experience of the divine is designed to instill awe and fear, communicating God's active presence and His imminent judgment. Furthermore, there is a strong **Contrast** between the persistent, audacious rebellion of humanity and the overwhelming, unyielding holiness and power of God. The people's gathering "against Moses and against Aaron" is met with the immediate and undeniable appearance of God's glory, highlighting the futility and danger of resisting divine authority. The narrative also uses **Repetition of Divine Intervention**, as this is not the first time God has visibly appeared to address rebellion, underscoring the pattern of Israel's sin and God's consistent, if severe, response to protect His holiness and vindicate His chosen leaders.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 16:42 profoundly illustrates the unyielding holiness and absolute sovereignty of God, particularly in the face of human rebellion. The immediate manifestation of the cloud and the glory of the LORD after the congregation's defiance underscores that God is not distant or passive, but actively engaged in upholding His divine order and vindicating His chosen servants. This event serves as a stark reminder that rebellion against God's appointed leadership is, in essence, rebellion against God Himself, and it carries severe consequences. It highlights the dangerous spiritual blindness that can afflict even those who have witnessed miraculous divine interventions, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance and submission to God's will. The appearance of God's glory often precedes judgment, reinforcing the theme that God's presence demands reverence and obedience, and His holiness cannot be trifled with.

* [Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "The Cloud Covers the Tabernacle")
* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Nadab and Abihu's Judgment")
* [Psalm 99:7](/psalms/99-7 "God Speaks from the Cloud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 16:42 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of rebellion against God-ordained authority. While leaders are fallible, the principle of respecting those God has placed in positions of spiritual leadership remains crucial, as challenging them can quickly escalate into a direct affront to God Himself. This does not preclude discerning critique but warns against a spirit of cynical defiance. Secondly, the persistent murmuring and complaint of the Israelites, even after witnessing divine judgment, underscore how easily discontent can fester and lead to open defiance. We are called to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, trust, and submission to God's sovereign plan, even in difficult circumstances, rather than succumbing to a spirit of grumbling. Thirdly, the visible manifestation of God's glory reminds us that God is actively involved in human affairs. Though His glory may not always appear as a literal cloud, His presence, power, and justice are always at work, seeing and responding to all things, as [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "All Things Are Naked Before God") reminds us. Finally, the appearance of God's glory was intended to instill awe and a healthy "fear of the Lord"—not terror, but a profound reverence that leads to humble obedience and worship. This reverential fear is the beginning of wisdom and the foundation for a right relationship with our holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be subtly resisting God-ordained authority in my life, whether in the church, home, or society?**
* **How does my response to difficult circumstances reflect a spirit of gratitude and trust, or one of murmuring and complaint?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God's active presence and glory in my daily life, even when it's not visibly manifested?**
* **What does a "healthy fear of the Lord" look like in practical obedience and worship today?**

### FAQ
**Why did God's glory appear immediately after the congregation rebelled again?**

Answer: God's glory appeared immediately as a direct and decisive response to the congregation's renewed rebellion, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty and holiness. This was not a passive observation but an active manifestation of His presence, serving multiple purposes. First, it was a clear vindication of Moses and Aaron, confirming that their authority came directly from God, not from themselves. Second, it was a powerful warning to the rebellious people, signaling that their defiance was against God Himself and that judgment was imminent. The appearance of God's glory often precedes an act of divine judgment or a re-establishment of His holy order, as seen in other biblical narratives. It underscored that God would not tolerate continued challenges to His authority or His chosen leaders, especially after such a dramatic display of His power in [Numbers 16:35](/numbers/16-35 "Fire Consumes the 250 Men"). This immediate response aimed to halt the spread of rebellion and reaffirm God's unyielding control over His people and His covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 16:42, with its dramatic display of God's glory and impending judgment, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's presence and judgment in Jesus Christ. The "glory of the LORD" that appeared over the tabernacle was a veiled, temporary manifestation of God's presence; in Christ, the fullness of God's glory tabernacled among us, as [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh") declares, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Jesus is the true and ultimate "tabernacle," the dwelling place of God, in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Fullness of Deity in Christ")). While the glory in Numbers 16:42 appeared to bring judgment upon rebellion, Christ's first coming was marked by grace, offering salvation from sin's judgment. Yet, He is also the one appointed by God to judge the living and the dead ([Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Jesus Appointed Judge")). The rebellion against Moses and Aaron, God's appointed leaders, finds its ultimate parallel in the world's rejection of Jesus, the Son of God, who is the very embodiment of divine authority and truth ([John 1:10-11](/john/1-10 "He Came to His Own")). Just as God vindicated Moses and Aaron, He ultimately vindicated Christ through His resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of the Father ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Christ's Exaltation")). The cloud and glory in Numbers 16:42 speak of God's visible presence; in the New Covenant, God's presence dwells not in a physical tabernacle but in believers through the Holy Spirit, making them a temple of God ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "You Are God's Temple")). Thus, Numbers 16:42 points forward to the greater glory of God revealed in Christ, who perfectly embodies God's holiness, authority, and ultimate judgment, while also offering the path to reconciliation and eternal life.

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 16:19

And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.

Numbers 20:6

And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.

Leviticus 9:23

¶ And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.

Numbers 14:10

But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.

Exodus 40:34

¶ Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:35

And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 16:10

And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.