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.

Where else these words appear

“together” Hebrew H6950 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
  • Deuteronomy 4:10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

“holy” Hebrew H6918 · used in 106 verses

  • Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
  • Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

“congregation” Hebrew H6951 · used in 116 verses

  • Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
  • 1 Kings 8:55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
  • Nehemiah 7:66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.