Numbers 16:28

And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for [I have] not [done them] of mine own mind.

And Moses {H4872} said {H559}, Hereby ye shall know {H3045} that the LORD {H3068} hath sent {H7971} me to do {H6213} all these works {H4639}; for I have not done them of mine own mind {H3820}.

Moshe said, "Here is how you will know that ADONAI has sent me to do all these things and that I haven't done them out of my own ambition:

Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things, for it was not my own doing:

And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that Jehovah hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.

Commentary

Numbers 16:28 captures a pivotal moment during the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron's divinely appointed leadership in the wilderness. Faced with accusations of exalting himself, Moses makes a profound declaration, asserting that his authority and actions are not self-derived but directly from the LORD.

Context

This verse is spoken by Moses just before God's dramatic judgment on the rebellious faction. Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben, challenged Moses and Aaron's authority, claiming that all the congregation was holy and that Moses had taken too much upon himself (Numbers 16:3). Moses, deeply distressed by this challenge to God's chosen leadership, proposes a test: if these men die a common death, then the LORD has not sent him. But if the earth opens up and swallows them, then it is clear that God has sent him and that these men have provoked the LORD. Moses' statement in verse 28 serves as his final plea and declaration of divine authorization before the impending demonstration of God's power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority vs. Human Ambition: The core message is Moses' insistence that his leadership stems entirely from God's commission, not from his own desire for power or influence. This directly refutes the rebels' accusations and highlights the true source of legitimate spiritual authority.
  • Proof of God's Sending: Moses declares that the miraculous judgment about to unfold will be the irrefutable evidence that he is God's messenger. The extraordinary nature of the impending judgment would leave no doubt about its divine origin.
  • Obedience and Humility: Moses consistently portrays himself as an instrument of God's will, emphasizing his obedience rather than any personal merit. This posture of humility is a hallmark of true biblical leadership.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context powerfully illustrates the severe consequences of rebelling against God's appointed order and His chosen servants.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "of mine own mind" translates a Hebrew idiom that signifies acting on one's own initiative, personal will, or human reasoning, rather than by divine command. Moses is emphatically stating that his actions, including the specific works and judgments he has overseen, are not products of his personal ambition or independent thought, but are directly commanded and guided by the LORD. This concept is crucial for understanding the nature of inspired leadership in the Old Testament.

Significance and Application

Numbers 16:28 offers timeless insights into the nature of true spiritual leadership and the importance of divine appointment. It reminds us that:

  • Authentic Leadership is God-Given: True spiritual authority originates from God, not from human popularity, charisma, or self-proclamation. Leaders are accountable to God for their actions and decisions.
  • Seeking God's Will: Like Moses, believers are called to seek God's will and obey His commands, rather than acting "of our own mind." This applies to personal decisions, ministry, and all aspects of life. Jesus Himself similarly declared that He could do nothing of Himself, but only what He saw the Father do.
  • Discerning Truth: The verse provides a principle for discerning true prophets and leaders: their words and actions will align with God's revealed will and often be accompanied by divine confirmation, rather than being self-serving.
  • The Seriousness of Rebellion: The historical narrative surrounding this verse serves as a sober warning against challenging legitimate, God-ordained authority, emphasizing the reverence due to God's chosen instruments.

In essence, Moses' declaration in Numbers 16:28 underscores the divine origin of his mission and sets the stage for God's powerful vindication of His servant, leaving no doubt about who truly sent him.

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

  • Exodus 3:12 (6 votes)

    And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this [shall be] a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

  • John 6:38 (6 votes)

    For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

  • John 5:36 (5 votes)

    But I have greater witness than [that] of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

  • Ezekiel 13:17 (5 votes)

    ¶ Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

  • Jeremiah 23:16 (5 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, [and] not out of the mouth of the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 18:22 (4 votes)

    When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

  • 1 Kings 18:36 (4 votes)

    And it came to pass at [the time of] the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou [art] God in Israel, and [that] I [am] thy servant, and [that] I have done all these things at thy word.