Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Overview
Num 16:1, The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; Num 16:23, Moses separates the people from the rebels' tents; Num 16:31, The earth swallows up Korah, and a fire consumes others; Num 16:36, The censers are reserved to holy use; Num 16:41, Fourteen thousand and seven hundred are slain by a plague, for murmuring against Moses and Aaron; Num 16:46, Aaron by incense stays the plague.
Korah: Num 26:9, Num 26:10, Num 27:3; Exo 6:18, Exo 6:21; Jde 1:11
sons of Reuben: Gen 49:3, Gen 49:4; Ch1 5:1, Ch1 5:2
took men: As the word men is not in the text, some read "took counsel;" and some "took courage." Houbigant renders yikkach, rebellionem fecerunt, "they rebelled;" which scarcely any rule of criticism can ever justify. Dr. Geddes' translation is, "Another insurrection was raised against Moses by Korah," etc. Others think that it may mean, "behaved with insolence." But, as Dr. A. Clarke observes, the verb wyyikkach, "and he took" which though at the end of the sentence in English, is the first word in Hebrew, is not in the plural, but the singular; and hence cannot be applied to the acts of all these chiefs. In every part of the Scripture, where this rebellion is referred to, it is attributed to Korah, therefore the verb here belongs to him; and the whole verse should be translated, "Now Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, he took even Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, son of Peleth, son of Reuben, and they rose up," etc.; reading, with some manuscripts, the Samaritan, and Septuagint, ben, son, instead of beney, sons.
famous: Num 26:9; Gen 6:4; Ch1 5:24, Ch1 12:30; Eze 16:14, Eze 23:10
gathered: Num 16:11, Num 12:1, Num 12:2, Num 14:1-4; Psa 106:16; Act 7:39, Act 7:51
Ye take too much upon you: Heb. It is much for you
all the: Exo 19:6; Ezr 9:2; Isa 1:11-16; Jer 7:3-12; Mat 3:9, Mat 3:10; Rom 2:28, Rom 2:29
the Lord: Num 14:14, Num 35:34; Exo 29:45, Exo 29:46; Psa 68:17
Num 16:45, Num 14:5, Num 20:6; Jos 7:6
who is holy: Num 16:3; Lev 21:6-8, Lev 21:12-15; Isa 61:5, Isa 61:6; Pe1 2:5-9; Rev 1:6, Rev 5:9, Rev 5:10
will cause: Exo 28:43; Lev 10:3; Psa 65:4; Eze 40:46, Eze 44:15, Eze 44:16; Eph 2:13; Heb 10:19-22, Heb 12:14
even him: Num 17:5; Exo 28:1; Lev 8:2; Sa1 2:28; Psa 105:26; Joh 15:16; Act 1:2, Act 1:24; Act 13:2, Act 15:7, Act 22:14; Ti2 2:3, Ti2 2:4
Num 16:35-40, Num 16:46-48; Lev 10:1, Lev 16:12, Lev 16:13; Kg1 18:21-23
that the man: Num 16:3, Num 16:5; Eph 1:4; Th2 2:13; Pe1 2:9
too much: Num 16:3; Kg1 18:17, Kg1 18:18; Mat 21:23-27
Seemeth it but: Num 16:13; Gen 30:15; Sa1 18:23; Sa2 7:19; Isa 7:13; Eze 34:18; Co1 4:3
separated: Num 1:53, Num 3:41-45, Num 8:14-16, Num 18:2-6; Deu 10:8; Ch2 35:3; Neh 12:44; Eze 44:10, Eze 44:11; Act 13:2
and seek: Pro 13:10; Mat 20:21, Mat 20:22; Luk 22:24; Rom 12:10; Phi 2:3; Jo3 1:9
against: Num 16:3; Sa1 8:7; Luk 10:16; Joh 13:20; Rom 13:2
what is Aaron: Exo 16:7, Exo 16:8, Exo 17:2; Act 5:4; Co1 3:5
Pro 29:9; Isa 3:5; Pe1 2:13, Pe1 2:14; Jde 1:8
a small: Num 16:9
out of a: Num 11:5; Exo 1:11, Exo 1:22, Exo 2:23
to kill: Num 20:3, Num 20:4; Exo 16:3, Exo 17:3
thou make: Exo 2:14; Psa 2:2, Psa 2:3; Luk 19:14; Act 7:25-27, Act 7:35
Moreover: Num 36:8-10; Exo 3:8, Exo 3:17; Lev 20:24
put out: Heb. bore out
very wroth: Num 12:3; Exo 32:19; Mat 5:22; Mar 3:5; Eph 4:26
Respect: Num 16:6, Num 16:7; Gen 4:4, Gen 4:5; Isa 1:10-15
I have not: Though Moses was their ruler, under God, yet, so far from oppressing them, he had not imposed the smallest tax, nor taken, as a present, so much as an ass from one of them. The common present that is now made to the great, in these countries, is a horse; but there is reason to believe, that an ass might formerly have answered the same purpose. "If it is a visit of ceremony from a bashaw," says Dr. Russell, "or other person in power, a fine horse, sometimes with furniture, or some such valuable present, is made to him at his departure." As asses were esteemed no dishonourable beasts for the saddle, Sir. J. Chardin, in his manuscript, supposes, that when Samuel disclaimed having taken the ass of any one (Sa1 12:3), he is to be understood of not having taken any ass for his riding. In the same light, he considers this similar declaration of Moses. His reason is "asses being then esteemed very honourable creatures for riding on (Num 22:21, Num 22:30; Jdg 5:10; Sa2 16:2), as they are at this very time in Persia, being rode with saddles." Sa1 12:3, Sa1 12:4; Act 20:33, Act 20:34; Co1 9:15; Co2 1:12, Co2 7:2, Co2 12:14-17; Th1 2:10
before: Sa1 12:3, Sa1 12:7; Ti2 2:14
and the glory: Num 16:42, Num 12:5, Num 14:10; Exo 16:7, Exo 16:10; Lev 9:6, Lev 9:23
Separate: Gen 19:15-22; Jer 5:16; Act 2:40; Co2 6:17; Eph 5:6, Eph 5:7; Rev 18:4
that I may: Num 16:45, Num 14:12, Num 14:15; Exo 32:10, Exo 33:5; Psa 73:19; Isa 37:36; Heb 12:28, Heb 12:29
they fell: Num 16:4, Num 16:45, Num 14:5
the God: Num 27:16; Job 12:10; Ecc 12:7; Isa 57:16; Zac 12:1; Heb 12:9
one man sin: Gen 18:23-25, Gen 18:32; Josh. 7:1-26; Sa2 24:1, Sa2 24:17; Rom 5:18; Co1 13:7
Num 16:21; It should seem that Dathan and Abiram had set up a spacious tabernacle in the midst of the tents of their families, where they kept court, met in council, and hung out their flag of defiance against Moses; it is here called the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. There, as in the place of rendezvous, Dathan and Abiram stayed, when Korah and his friends went up to the tabernacle of the Lord, waiting the issue of their trial; but here we are told how they had their business done, before that trial was over. God will take what method he pleases in his judgments.
Num 11:16, Num 11:17, Num 11:25, Num 11:30
I pray you: The rebels, with all that belonged to them, were, as an accursed thing, devoted to utter destruction (Lev 27:28, Lev 27:29. Jos 7:13-15, Jos 7:23-26). The people therefore were forbidden to touch anything belonging to them; that they might enter a solemn protest against their wickedness, acknowledge the justice of their punishment, and express their fear of being involved in it. Num 16:21-24; Gen 19:12-14; Deu 13:17; Isa 52:11; Mat 10:14; Act 8:20, Act 13:51; Co2 6:17; Ti1 5:22; Rev 18:4
and stood: Kg2 9:30, Kg2 9:31; Job 9:4, Job 40:10, Job 40:11; Pro 16:18, Pro 18:12; Isa 28:14
Hereby: Exo 3:12, Exo 4:1-9, Exo 7:9; Deu 18:22; Zac 2:9, Zac 4:9; Joh 5:36, Joh 11:42, Joh 14:11
for I have: Kee lo millibbee, "and that not out of my heart." It was not of my own device or contrivance. It was not out of an ambitious desire to be great myself that I took upon me the government, nor out of private affection to my brother, that I appointed him and his family to the priesthood.
of mine: Num 24:13; Kg1 18:36; Jer 23:16; Eze 13:17; Joh 5:30, Joh 6:38
the common: etc. Heb. as every man dieth
visited: Exo 20:5, Exo 32:34; Job 35:15; Isa 10:3; Jer 5:9; Lam 4:22
the Lord: Kg1 22:28; Ch2 18:27
make a new thing: Heb. create a creature; weim beriah yivra Yehowah, "And if Jehovah should create a creation," i.e., do such a thing as was never done before. Job 31:3; Isa 28:21, Isa 43:19, Isa 45:7, Isa 45:12; Jer 31:22
and they: Num 16:33; Psa 55:15
Num 26:10, Num 26:11, Num 27:3; Deu 11:6; Psa 106:17, Psa 106:18
the earth: Num 16:30; Gen 4:11; Isa 5:14; Rev 12:16
all the: Num 16:17, Num 26:11, Num 27:3; Ch1 6:22, Ch1 6:37; Psa 84:1, Psa 85:1, Psa 88:1 *titles
into the: Psa 9:15, Psa 55:23, Psa 69:15, Psa 143:7; Isa 14:9, Isa 14:15; Eze 32:18, Eze 32:30
they perished: Jde 1:11
fled: Isa 33:3; Zac 14:5; Rev 6:15-17
And there: Num 11:1, Num 26:10; Lev 10:2; Psa 106:18
two hundred: Num 16:2, Num 16:17
the censers: Num 16:7, Num 16:18
hallowed: Kadashoo, consecrated, i.e., to the service of God, though in this instance, improperly employed. Lev 27:28
sinners: Kg1 2:23; Pro 1:18, Pro 8:36, Pro 20:2; Hab 2:10
a sign: Num 16:40, Num 17:10, Num 26:10; Eze 14:8; Co1 10:11; Pe2 2:6
that no: Num 3:10, Num 3:38, Num 18:4-7; Lev 22:10; Ch2 26:18-20; Jde 1:11
come near: Kg1 13:1-3; Ch2 26:16-21
on the morrow: It is not unlikely, that the people persuaded themselves that Moses and Aaron had used some cunning in this business and that the earthquake and fire were artificial; for, had they discerned the hand of God in this punishment, they would scarcely have dared the anger of the Lord in the very face of his justice. And while they thus absurdly imputed this judgment to Moses and Aaron, they impiously called the persons, thus perishing in their rebellion, "the people of the Lord!"
all the: Num 16:1-7, Num 14:2; Psa 106:13, Psa 106:23, 25-48; Isa 26:11
Ye have: Num 16:3; Sa2 16:7, Sa2 16:8; Kg1 18:17; Jer 37:13, Jer 37:14, Jer 38:4, Jer 43:3; Amo 7:10; Mat 5:11; Act 5:28, Act 21:28; Co2 6:8
when the: Num 16:19
the glory: Num 16:19, Num 14:10, Num 20:6; Exo 16:7, Exo 16:10, Exo 24:16, Exo 40:34, Exo 40:35; Lev 9:23
Get you up: Num 16:21, Num 16:24, Num 16:26
And they: Num 16:22, Num 20:6; Ch1 21:16; Mat 26:39
from off: Lev 9:24, Lev 10:1, Lev 16:12, Lev 16:13; Isa 6:6, Isa 6:7; Rom 5:9, Rom 5:10; Heb 7:25-27, Heb 9:25, Heb 9:26; Rev 8:3-5
an atonement: Exo 30:7-10; Lev 16:11-16; Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2
there is wrath: Num 1:53, Num 8:19, Num 11:33, Num 18:5; Lev 10:6; Ch1 27:24; Psa 106:29
the plague is begun: God now punished them by a secret blast, so as to put the matter beyond dispute; His hand, and His alone, was seen, not only in the plague, but in the manner in which the mortality was arrested. It was necessary that it should be done in this way, that the whole congregation might see that these men who had perished were not "the people of the Lord," and that God, not Moses and Aaron, had destroyed them.
and behold: Psa 106:29
and he put: Num 16:46; Deu 33:10, Deu 33:11; Isa 53:10-12
What the plague was we know not; but it seems from this to have begun at one part of the camp, and to have proceeded regularly onward.
Num 16:18, Num 16:35, Num 25:8-11; Sa2 24:16, Sa2 24:17, Sa2 24:25; Ch1 21:26, Ch1 21:27; Th1 1:10; Ti1 2:5, Ti1 2:6; Heb 7:24, Heb 7:25; Jam 5:16; Joh 5:14
fourteen thousand: Num 16:32-35, Num 25:9; Ch1 21:14; Heb 2:1-3, Heb 10:28, Heb 10:29, Heb 12:25