And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?

NUMBERS 16:3KJV
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Numbers 16:3 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:3 mean?

Numbers 16:3 describes a group confronting Moses and Aaron, accusing them of taking too much authority for themselves and claiming that the whole community is holy, with God among them, so Moses and Aaron should not set themselves above everyone else. This verse shows a challenge to Moses and Aaron’s leadership by people who believe all Israelites are equally set apart.

The situation is that Korah and his followers have gathered together and are speaking directly to Moses and Aaron. They argue that the entire congregation (the community of Israel) is holy (set apart for God), and since God is present among all of them, Moses and Aaron have no right to elevate themselves above the rest. This confrontation sets the stage for a major conflict about leadership and the role of Moses and Aaron in guiding Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:3

  • The word for "congregation" (עֵדָה, transliteration: ‘edah) appears twice, emphasizing that the complaint is about the whole community, not just a few individuals.
  • The word "holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, transliteration: qadosh) means set apart for God’s purposes. The challengers claim this status for everyone, not just the leaders, which is key to their argument.
  • The phrase "lift ye up yourselves" uses נָשָׂא (nasa’), which often means to raise or exalt. The accusation is that Moses and Aaron are elevating themselves above others, not just leading as appointed.

Why Numbers 16:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the rebellion is not just against Moses and Aaron personally, but against the idea of special leadership or priesthood in Israel.
  • The claim that "all the congregation are holy" reveals a misunderstanding or disagreement about what it means to be set apart for God and who has authority.
  • Numbers 16:3 sets up the conflict that unfolds in the rest of the chapter, showing the roots of Korah’s rebellion and the challenge to God’s chosen leaders.