Numbers 16:49

KJV

Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now they that died {H4191} in the plague {H4046} were fourteen {H702}{H6240} thousand {H505} and seven {H7651} hundred {H3967}, beside them that died {H4191} about the matter {H1697} of Korah {H7141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those dying from the plague numbered 14,700 - besides those who died in the Korach incident.

Berean Standard Bible

But those who died from the plague numbered 14,700, in addition to those who had died on account of Korah.

American Standard Version

Now they that died by the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides them that died about the matter of Korah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 16:49 provides the grim final tally of those who perished in the divinely sent plague that erupted among the Israelite congregation. This plague was a direct consequence of their murmuring and rebellion against Moses and Aaron, immediately following the Lord's judgment on Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. The verse specifies that 14,700 individuals died from this particular plague, a figure distinct from the initial group consumed by fire or swallowed by the earth in the "matter of Korah," underscoring the severity and widespread nature of God's holy wrath against sin and rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 16:49 serves as the concluding summary of a rapid succession of divine judgments. The preceding verses detail the immediate aftermath of Korah's rebellion. After the earth swallowed Dathan and Abiram's households and fire consumed the 250 incense-offering leaders ([Numbers 16:31-35](/numbers/16-31 "Numbers 16:31-35 - Earth Swallows Rebels; Fire Consumes 250")), the very next day, the entire congregation of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the Lord's people ([Numbers 16:41](/numbers/16-41 "Numbers 16:41 - Israel Murmurs Against Moses and Aaron")). This fresh act of defiance provoked the Lord's wrath, and a plague broke out among them. Moses swiftly instructed Aaron, the high priest, to take a censer with fire from the altar and incense, and run into the midst of the congregation to make atonement. Aaron obeyed, standing between the living and the dead, and the plague was stopped ([Numbers 16:46-48](/numbers/16-46 "Numbers 16:46-48 - Aaron's Atonement Stops the Plague")). Verse 49 then delivers the shocking final death toll from this specific plague, distinguishing it from the earlier fatalities, thus bringing a grim closure to this intense narrative of rebellion and judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 16 occur during Israel's wilderness wanderings, a period marked by God's direct governance, miraculous provision, and severe discipline. The Israelites, recently delivered from Egyptian bondage, were a nascent nation in formation, learning to live under the Mosaic covenant. Authority structures, particularly the divinely appointed roles of Moses as leader and Aaron as high priest, were foundational to their identity and relationship with God. Rebellion against these leaders was not merely insubordination to human figures but a direct challenge to God's established order and His own authority, as Moses himself articulated in [Numbers 16:11](/numbers/16-11 "Numbers 16:11 - Rebellion Against God"). Culturally, the concept of a "plague" (מַגֵּפָה, _maggēphâ_) was understood as a direct divine intervention, a "stroke" or "blow" from God, often in response to corporate sin. The swiftness and severity of the judgment were intended to instill fear of the Lord and reinforce the sanctity of His commands and the holiness of His appointed priesthood, crucial for a people prone to idolatry and disobedience in a pagan environment.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 16:49 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the **Severity of Divine Judgment** against sin, particularly rebellion against God's appointed authority and murmuring against His servants. The staggering death toll demonstrates that God's holiness demands a response to sin, and His wrath is a terrifying reality ([Numbers 14:11-12](/numbers/14-11 "Numbers 14:11-12 - God's Anger at Israel's Unbelief")). Secondly, it underscores the **Consequences of Corporate Sin and Murmuring**. Even after witnessing the earth swallow Korah's company, the congregation's immediate complaint demonstrates a hardened heart and a lack of fear of the Lord, leading to an even more widespread judgment. This illustrates that discontent and rebellion can have swift and deadly outcomes, impacting the entire community. Thirdly, the verse implicitly points to the **Necessity of Atonement and Intercession**. The plague was only stopped by Aaron's swift, divinely instructed act of atonement, standing as a mediator between God's wrath and the people ([Numbers 16:48](/numbers/16-48 "Numbers 16:48 - Aaron's Atonement")). This act foreshadows the ongoing need for a priestly mediator to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, a theme that culminates in the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Plague (Hebrew, _maggēphâ'_):** The Hebrew word מַגֵּפָה (_maggēphâ_) derives from the root נָגַף (_nāgap̄_), meaning "to strike" or "to smite." It denotes a divine infliction, a "stroke" or "blow" from God, typically resulting in widespread death or disease. Unlike a natural disaster, _maggēphâ_ specifically implies a direct, punitive act of God in response to sin or disobedience. Its use here emphasizes that the deaths were not accidental or coincidental but a direct, targeted judgment from the Lord.
* **Died (Hebrew, _mûṯ'_):** The verb מוּת (_mûṯ_) means "to die," "to perish," or "to be put to death." In this context, it signifies a physical cessation of life, but with the clear implication of divine agency. The passive voice ("they that died") subtly points to the one who caused the death – God Himself. The sheer number of those who "died" highlights the scale of this divine intervention and the finality of the judgment.
* **Matter of Korah (Hebrew, _dĕvar-qōraḥ'_):** This phrase, דְּבַר־קֹרַח (_dĕvar-qōraḥ_), literally translates to "the word/thing/affair of Korah." It serves as a concise descriptor for the entire rebellion initiated by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, encompassing their challenge to Moses' and Aaron's authority, their offering of unauthorized incense, and the subsequent judgments of the earth swallowing some and fire consuming others. The distinction in the verse ("beside them that died about the matter of Korah") emphasizes that the 14,700 were a *separate* and *additional* group of fatalities, highlighting the distinct yet related nature of the two divine judgments.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred,"**: This clause specifies the precise number of individuals who perished from the immediate, divinely sent plague that broke out among the murmuring congregation. The exact figure, "fourteen thousand and seven hundred," underscores the immense scale of the judgment and the devastating impact of God's wrath. The phrase "in the plague" clearly identifies the cause of death as a specific, supernatural affliction from God, distinct from other forms of death.
* **"beside them that died about the matter of Korah."**: This concluding phrase explicitly clarifies that the 14,700 deaths from the plague are an *additional* toll, separate from the initial fatalities directly associated with Korah's rebellion. This includes the 250 men consumed by fire for offering unauthorized incense ([Numbers 16:35](/numbers/16-35 "Numbers 16:35 - Fire Consumes 250 Men")) and the households of Dathan and Abiram, along with Korah himself, who were swallowed by the earth ([Numbers 16:31-33](/numbers/16-31 "Numbers 16:31-33 - Earth Swallows Dathan and Abiram")). This distinction emphasizes the layered nature of God's judgment and the cumulative consequences of continued rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 16:49 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Numerical Precision** is evident in the exact figure of "fourteen thousand and seven hundred," which lends a sense of factual gravity and authority to the account, emphasizing the reality and scale of the divine judgment. This precision also serves as a **Summary Statement**, providing a conclusive total for the immediate plague, bringing a grim closure to the narrative of the congregation's murmuring and its consequences. **Contrast** is used effectively by distinguishing between those who died "in the plague" and those who died "about the matter of Korah," highlighting two distinct but related phases of divine wrath. This separation underscores that the congregation's subsequent murmuring provoked a fresh and widespread judgment, beyond the initial punishment of the direct rebels. The verse also functions as a stark **Exclamation** of the severity of God's holiness and His intolerance for rebellion, serving as a chilling reminder to the reader of the dangers of defying divine authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 16:49 is a profound theological statement on the holiness of God and the gravity of sin, particularly corporate rebellion and murmuring against divinely appointed authority. It reveals that God's patience has limits and that His justice is swift and decisive when His covenant people persist in defiance. The immense death toll underscores the seriousness with which God views challenges to His sovereignty and His established order. Furthermore, the fact that the plague was stopped only through Aaron's intercession and atonement highlights the critical role of mediation in turning away divine wrath. This act of standing "between the living and the dead" is a powerful Old Testament prefigurement of the ultimate need for a mediator to reconcile sinful humanity with a holy God, demonstrating that divine judgment can only be averted through a divinely ordained means of atonement.

* [Exodus 32:30-35](/exodus/32-30 "Exodus 32:30-35 - Moses Intercedes After Golden Calf")
* [Psalm 106:28-30](/psalm/106-28 "Psalm 106:28-30 - Phinehas's Zeal Stops the Plague")
* [Hebrews 10:26-31](/hebrews/10-26 "Hebrews 10:26-31 - A Warning Against Willful Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 16:49 stands as a sobering reminder of the profound consequences of sin, especially the insidious sins of murmuring, discontent, and rebellion against God's established order. In an age where authority is often questioned and grievances are readily aired, this passage challenges us to cultivate a spirit of humility, submission, and reverence for God and those He places in leadership. The sheer number of deaths should instill a healthy fear of the Lord, reminding us that God is not to be trifled with, and His holiness demands our respect and obedience. It prompts us to examine our own hearts: Do we complain when things don't go our way? Do we subtly undermine spiritual authority? Do we take God's grace for granted, presuming upon His patience? The stopping of the plague through Aaron's intercession also offers a powerful message of hope: even in the midst of judgment, God provides a way for atonement and reconciliation. This calls us to embrace the means of grace He has provided, to confess our sins, and to seek His mercy through the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in this passage challenge my understanding of His character, particularly His holiness and justice?**
* **In what ways might I be prone to murmuring or rebellion against authority, whether in the church, at home, or in society?**
* **What lessons can I draw from Aaron's swift act of intercession regarding the importance of prayer and mediation in the face of sin and judgment?**
* **How does this account deepen my appreciation for the concept of atonement and the provision God makes for dealing with sin?**

### FAQ
**Why was the plague sent after Korah's rebellion, and why were so many people affected?**

Answer: The plague was sent because, immediately after witnessing God's terrifying judgment on Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and the 250 leaders, the entire congregation of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the Lord's people ([Numbers 16:41](/numbers/16-41 "Numbers 16:41 - Israel Murmurs Against Moses and Aaron")). This was not just a complaint; it was a direct challenge to God's authority, as Moses and Aaron were His divinely appointed representatives. Their murmuring demonstrated a profound lack of repentance, fear, and faith, even after such a clear display of divine power and wrath. The large number of people affected (14,700) underscores the corporate nature of their sin and the extreme seriousness with which God views rebellion and defiance within His covenant community. It served as a stark lesson that challenging God's authority, even indirectly through His servants, carries severe consequences.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 16:49, with its grim tally of those who died in the plague, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate consequences of sin and the necessity of a perfect High Priest. Aaron's swift action of running into the midst of the congregation, standing "between the living and the dead" with incense and fire from the altar to make atonement ([Numbers 16:47-48](/numbers/16-47 "Numbers 16:47-48 - Aaron's Atonement Stops the Plague")), is a vivid Old Testament type of Christ. The plague itself is a manifestation of divine wrath against sin, a terrifying glimpse of the spiritual death that all humanity faces due to our rebellion against God ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")). Just as Aaron, the high priest, intervened to stop the physical plague, Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, intervened to stop the spiritual plague of sin and death. He did not merely stand between the living and the dead; He *became* the sacrifice, offering Himself as the ultimate atonement on the cross, bearing the full weight of God's wrath against sin ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Through His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, He appeased divine justice, securing eternal life for all who believe ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Thus, Numbers 16:49, while detailing a severe judgment, ultimately points to the glorious truth that God, in His mercy, provided the perfect mediator in Christ, who delivers us from the plague of sin and offers us true 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 25:9

And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

Numbers 16:32

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that [appertained] unto Korah, and all [their] goods.

Numbers 16:35

¶ And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

1 Chronicles 21:14

So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.

Hebrews 12:25

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven:

Hebrews 10:28

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?